We find ourselves in a dilemma of either opposing Wilderness designation, or finding alternatives to Wilderness that will allow mountain biking commensurate with natural resource protection. We are currently faced with a number of new Wilderness proposals that promise the possibility of protecting millions of acres of public land. To begin the description of our position, it is critical that two important aspects of mountain bicycling be considered. First, this is human muscle-powered recreation. And second, this is trail-based recreation.
People often have confused mountain bicycles and their impacts with off-road motorcycles.
With respect to rider behavior, staying on the designated trail is both a practical necessity and a well-established ethic in the mountain bike community. Cross-country travel is discouraged. It is my position that mountain biking should be allowed on some trails in designated Wilderness. My argument is based on historical, philosophical, and political grounds. However, if mountain biking cannot be allowed in designated Wilderness, we need alternatives that provide high levels of resource protection, while accommodating bicycle trail use.