Chicago IMBA Action Alert

Action Alert

For Immediate Release
01-15-03
Contact: Dan Vardamis

303-545-9011

Attention Chicago Mountain Bikers: The Chicago Area Mountain Bike Riders (CAMBR) and International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) need your help. CAMBR and IMBA are asking mountain bikers to write to Cook County leadership supporting mountain bicycling in Cook Country Forest Preserve properties. This feedback will be used to formulate a new recreation management plan for the preserve.

For the past decade, mountain bikers have worked - without much success - to improve access in Cook County Forest Preserve. Despite this, preserve properties have the potential to be one of the top urban mountain bicycling systems in the U.S.

New leadership within Cook County is looking for feedback from mountain bicyclists regarding how the sport should be managed and enhanced on preserve land. Specifically, newly elected Commissioner Forrest Claypool is the chair of a new committee, Land Management and Maintenance. This new division oversees recreation and will make decisions regarding mountain bike access on Forest Preserve properties.

The county commissioners have asked mountain bicyclists to submit comments by Tuesday, January 21. Please email comments to Commissioner Claypool at You can also call Commissioner Claypool's office at (312) 603-6380. In your comments, explain from a personal perspective why you'd like to see improved mountain bike access in Cook County. Also consider using the following points in your comments:

Mountain bicycling is a sustainable, environmentally sound type of trail use. Trail erosion can be effectively reduced by proper trail construction and maintenance.
County parks are public property and should generally be open to the public, as long as permitted types of use don't threaten the environment or public safety.
People of all ages enjoy mountain biking. Mountain biking is more than good exercise. It offers adventure, provides an opportunity for nature study and appreciation, and it's a sport that can be enjoyed for a lifetime
Mountain bikers are an essential component of the citizen constituency that will support funding for park acquisition, maintenance and preservation.
Mountain bikers have performed thousands of hours of volunteer trail maintenance in Cook County Forest Preserve lands in the last six years.
More narrow dirt "singletrack" trails should be considered in Palos and Deer Grove. Singletrack is an essential component to the mountain biking experience.
Mountain bicycling should be a permitted activity in other Cook County Forest Preserve District properties.

For more information visit http://www.cambr.org or email CAMBR advocate Ed Bartunek at .

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	Chicago IMBA Action Alert Action Alert For Immediate Release 01-15-03 Contact: Dan Vardamis 303-545-9011 Attention Chicago Mountain Bikers: The Chicago Area Mountain Bike Riders (CAMBR) and International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) need your help. CAMBR and IMBA are asking mountain bikers to write to Cook County leadership supporting mountain bicycling in Cook Country Forest Preserve properties. This feedback will be used to formulate a new recreation management plan for the preserve. For the past decade, mountain bikers have worked - without much success - to improve access in Cook County Forest Preserve. Despite this, preserve properties have the potential to be one of the top urban mountain bicycling systems in the U.S. New leadership within Cook County is looking for feedback from mountain bicyclists regarding how the sport should be managed and enhanced on preserve land. Specifically, newly elected Commissioner Forrest Claypool is the chair of a new committee, Land Management and Maintenance. This new division oversees recreation and will make decisions regarding mountain bike access on Forest Preserve properties. The county commissioners have asked mountain bicyclists to submit comments by Tuesday, January 21. Please email comments to Commissioner Claypool at You can also call Commissioner Claypool's office at (312) 603-6380. In your comments, explain from a personal perspective why you'd like to see improved mountain bike access in Cook County. Also consider using the following points in your comments: Mountain bicycling is a sustainable, environmentally sound type of trail use. Trail erosion can be effectively reduced by proper trail construction and maintenance. County parks are public property and should generally be open to the public, as long as permitted types of use don't threaten the environment or public safety. People of all ages enjoy mountain biking. Mountain biking is more than good exercise. It offers adventure, provides an opportunity for nature study and appreciation, and it's a sport that can be enjoyed for a lifetime Mountain bikers are an essential component of the citizen constituency that will support funding for park acquisition, maintenance and preservation. Mountain bikers have performed thousands of hours of volunteer trail maintenance in Cook County Forest Preserve lands in the last six years. More narrow dirt "singletrack" trails should be considered in Palos and Deer Grove. Singletrack is an essential component to the mountain biking experience. Mountain bicycling should be a permitted activity in other Cook County Forest Preserve District properties. For more information visit http://www.cambr.org or email CAMBR advocate Ed Bartunek at .


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