Ask Governor Schwarzenegger to Withhold Support of North Coast Wilderness Bill Until Mountain Bike Trail Access is Preserved

Action Alert

For Immediate Release
07-22-04
Contact: Gary Sprung

The California Wilderness Coalition and other groups have launched a campaign to get Governor Schwarzenegger to endorse U.S. Representative Mike Thompson's bill for Wilderness areas along the northern coast. Wilderness land designations categorically prohibit bicycles. IMBA supports protecting all the areas in the bill, but for one-quarter of the areas under consideration, Congress should use alternative designations or other method of addressing bicycling conflicts than Wilderness. The bill would close more than 150 miles of singletrack trails to bicycling.

Please contact the governor to explain the perspective of bicyclists. Some talking points:

• We support preservation of lands, but believe in a greater diversity of preservation tools. Wilderness is not the only way to protect public lands.

• This bill is not ready for passage and needs to better accommodate bicycling. It would close more than 150 miles of trails cyclists have ridden for years.

• Mountain biking started in California and is a popular sport - 5.2 million Californians participated last year (Outdoor Industry Association).

• Mountain bicycling brings a tremendous amount of revenue to the state's economy through bicycle related industry, tourism, bike shops, touring companies, and more.

• Mountain bicycling is a great way to help combat America's societal trend toward obesity.

The best contact in this case is by phone. Please call: (916) 445-1456 or (916) 445-2841 Press option 7.

You should ask that the governor to withhold his support of H.R.1501 and its Senate companion, S.738. Ask the governor to please seek changes in the bill that will protect the lands while allowing bicycling. Available options include: Protection Areas, improved National Conservation Areas, Non-Wilderness Trail Corridors, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and boundary adjustments.