IMBA LOBBIES CONGRESSMARCH 16,
IMBA LOBBIES CONGRESSMARCH 16,
Washington, D.C. Representatives of the International Mountain Bicycling Association met with members from California’s congressional delegation during the March National Bike Summit. They asked them to preserve singletrack trails for bicycling and to not create Wilderness areas that cross popular trails.
In designated Wilderness areas, bicycle use is forbidden. Bicyclists in the mountains of California fear losing access to trails that they have used for decades, if Congress approves proposed Wilderness areas.
Jim HaagenSmit, IMBA California representative, stated that we want to ensure that our California delegation does not forget about California’s two million mountain bikers. Many singletrack trails in the United States are already crowded. The situation would only get worse if there were new Wilderness designations.
Mountain bicyclists from California carried IMBAs messages to U.S. Senators. Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein, and U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson and Hilda Solis as well as Grace Napolitano, John Doolittle and John Doolittle from the California congressional delegation.
According to Daniel Greenstadt, an IMBA California representative, Wilderness is not the right designation to protect the land. Why should land protection be at the expense mountain bikers? These trails and wild places have been enjoyed by cyclists for many years. We would be kicked off the conservation committee.
Participants from the National Bike Summit gathered in Washington, D.C., to highlight major issues that impact cyclists. Nearly 400 bike advocates representing 47 states met to lobby for bicycle transportation and recreation issues.
IMBA has launched a three-month campaign to ensure that trails are open for cyclists. IMBA encourages mountain bikers and other riders to join the campaign to keep popular trails open.
IMBA will attend or lead 11 California events. These events will bring together local mountain bike clubs, community members, environmental groups and elected officials to raise awareness about trails that may be lost.
Participate in the following events with IMBA:
Fairfield, March 27-30
April 11-13, Sea Otter Classic Monterey
April 12-13, San Diego
April 26, Southern California Bike Expo, Los Angeles
May 3-4 Henry Coe IMBA Epic Morgan Hill
Oct. 16-19, Ukiah
October 23-26, Truckee
October 30, Nov. 2, Lake Tahoe
Nov. 6-16, Sacramento
Nov. 20-23, Los Angeles
Dec. 5, San Francisco
