Horseback riders, pack trains, hunters and hikers have been using trails in the National Forests since the turn of the century. Prior to that, some of the trails were used by local Native Americans to travel between the coast and the inland valleys. Now a new trail user has arrived on the scene - the mountain bicycle. As off road bicycling is a relatively new use of Forest trails, cyclists may be looked upon with suspicion and distrust and will only be accepted after proving themselves to be good neighbors. Equestrians are concerned about safety because of the differences in travel speeds and the sometimes violent reaction of a horse to an unfamiliar sight on the trail.
Some hikers object to the presence of bicyclists for esthetic reasons as well as safety concerns.
Because of the concern for user safety, damage to the trail resource and liability questions, the Forest Service is evaluating the appropriateness of trail use by cyclists. Future use of these trails will be dependent upon the conduct of cyclists who use them. Local representatives of hiking, bicycling and equestrian organizations have joined together to draft a code of ethics for cyclists which provides an awareness and understanding of the trail environment. This evaluation is in conjunction with the development of the Forest Land Resource Management Plan. Horses spook when they see an unfamiliar object, especially one which moves quickly and quietly.