Bicycles should not be allowed in any natural area. They are inanimate objects and have no rights. There is also no right to mountain bike. That was settled in federal court in 1994: http:mjvande.nfshost.commtb10.htm . It’s dishonest of mountain bikers to say that they don’t have access to trails closed to bikes. They have EXACTLY the same access as everyone else — ON FOOT! Why isn’t that good enough for mountain bikers? They are all capable of walking…. A favorite myth of mountain bikers is that mountain biking is no more harmful to wildlife, people, and the environment than hiking, and that science supports that view. Of course, it’s not true. To settle the matter once and for all, I read all of the research they cited, and wrote a review of the research on mountain biking impacts (see http:mjvande.nfshost.comscb7.htm ). I found that of the seven studies they cited, (1) all were written by mountain bikers, and (2) in every case, the authors misinterpreted their own data, in order to come to the conclusion that they favored. They also studiously avoided mentioning another scientific study (Wisdom et al) which did not favor mountain biking, and came to the opposite conclusions. Those were all experimental studies. Two other studies (by White et al and by Jeff Marion) used a survey design, which is inherently incapable of answering that question (comparing hiking with mountain biking). I only mention them because mountain bikers often cite them, but scientifically, they are worthless. Mountain biking accelerates erosion, creates V-shaped ruts, kills small animals and plants on and next to the trail, drives wildlife and other trail users out of the area, and, worst of all, teaches kids that the rough treatment of nature is okay (it’s NOT!). What’s good about THAT? For more information: http:mjvande.nfshost.commtbfaq.htm .
Michael J. Vandeman is a prime berk. He’s been spouting the same stuff for years, to the same response. I used to bait him via email under a number of different personas when I was at Uni. Wasted hours of his time. 😀
Having moved to mountain biking from climbing/hiking in the last year, I must say I have never done as much damage to the environment as when I have been on foot in the hills. I can cycle the Tweed Valley straight from the house, but pump out tonnes of CO2 on my 300 mile round trips to the Highlands. After recent snowfall I may ditch my Kona Cindercone path wrecker and head to Fort William for a dander up Ben Nevis this weekend. I may add to my collection of road kill (pheasants, rabbits, pigeons, frogs, hopefully not deer)before strapping on a pair of crampons and permanently scraping the rock. I may also rip out quantities of turf with my ice axes as well as destroy vegetation whilst stamping out a belay ledge. Good day all round. Perhaps he may say that climbers can come into the hills but without climbing equipment.
This so called academic is completely biased, not living in the real world and sounds like a bit of an arse. If managed correctly there can be room for everyone in the countryside. I think to say that the freedom of the hills is for some but not for others is a bit elitist!!
Bicycles should not be allowed in any natural area. They are inanimate objects and have no rights.
replace bicycles with shoes, maps, bras, marsbars, anything else you have a dislike to and vanderman’s argument still holds. vanderman doesn’t like it so it should be banned.