It's good to know that the region has multi use trail advocates in the Western New York Mountain Bicycling Association. WNYMBA works to protect trail access for mountain bikers in the area. Their web site has plenty of great information on local trails and access issues, as well as an extensive set of bulletin board forums. The site also offers this little list of NCT myths along with the truth that busts them.
NCT Myths
The North Country Trail designed for hiking, not biking Trails designed for hiking and biking are essentially identical.
Both use the same design standards set forth by groups like the Forest Service, AMC, and IMBA. The only significant differences are (1) mountain bike trail designs need to consider transitions between open-and-flowing and tight-and-technical sections; and (2) switchbacks are often problematic for hiking trails because foot traffic cuts the corners.Mountain bikers want access to the entire North Country Trail.No. Groups like WNYMBA are not asking for sections of the NCT on private land in New York to be opened to bicycles. If Individual landowners allow access to bicycles, however, this would be welcome.
Congress modelled the North Country Trail after the Appalachian Trail, which is hiking-only.
Among all trails created by the National Trails System Act, only the Appalachian Trail is restricted to be "administered primarily as a footpath." Other National Scenic Trails are open to more than foot travel, including the Pacific Crest Trail equestrians) and Contintental Divide Trail (mountain biking, equestrians.) The Act states that "National scenic trails... will be extended trails so located as to provide for maximum outdoor recreation potential and for the conservation and enjoyment of the nationally significant scenic, historic, natural, or cultural qualities of the areas through which such trails may pass."
Congress never envisioned mountain biking on trails when passing the National Trails System Act in 1980.
They may not have and we'll likely never know. However, the current Act states that "potential trail uses allowed on designated components of the national trails system may include, but are not limited to, the following: bicycling, cross-country skiing, day hiking, equestrian activities, jogging or similar fitness activities, trail biking, overnight and long-distance backpacking, snowmobiling, and surface water and underwater activities."
The NCT was built by hikers so it should only be open to hikers.
Mountain bikers and equestrians have contributed to building and maintaining the NCT. Because of the maintenance efforts of WNYMBA, the NCT section south of Ellicottville is one of the best maintained sections in in Cattaraugus County. In Michigan the Harbor Springs NCTA chapter was formed primarily by mountain bikers.
I especially like the last myth. Because it gets to the heart of what a small number of people out there want to do, rewrite history. Many sections of trail that today make up the NCT were opened and continue to be maintained by people who never intended that their efforts would only be enjoyed by one small set of users.
3 comments:
There is a sign in sheet just north of 6 mile in the M-20-Nichols Lake section and 95% (or more) of the trail users are on bikes. They maintain the trails as well. My father, mtb'er that lives in the area, goes there after every storm and clears the trail with whatever means necessary. In MI the sections that don't allow bikes are usually overgrown and nearly impassable. The people that use and maintain the trails are the ones that should be allowed to use them.........
Way to fight the good fight, ya'll.
Hey Niel - Make sure your Dad reports his hours to the NCTA and the national forest station. We need to make sure bicyclists that volunteer on the trail are made known to the appropriate people. Otherwise, the anti bikers take credit for trail conditions. Tell your Dad we appreciate his work!
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