Cyclists Urged to Support Bike-Friendly Virginia Wilderness Bill

Action Alert

For Immediate Release
07-07-05
Contact: Mark Eller, IMBA Communications Specialist

303-545-9011 ext. 115

Please help IMBA reach out to U.S. Senator George Allen (R-VA) by asking him to co-sponsor the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2005 (S. 942/H.R. 1975).

Working closely with the Virginia Wilderness Committee (VWC), IMBA has forged an innovative bike-friendly agreement that will protect parts of the Jefferson National Forest in southern Virginia as Wilderness. The Virginia bill could become an important model for other states. It's endorsed by more than 100 organizations, including dozens of businesses, local government officials, Virginia Wilderness Committee, Virginia Audubon Council, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and local mountain biking clubs.

U.S. Representative Rick Boucher and U.S. Senator John Warner introduced the Bill. With Senator Allen's support it has a good chance of becoming law. "This Wilderness legislation is the product of years of work," said Mark Miller with the Virginia Wilderness Committee and the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition. "The agreement between mountain bikers and VWC provides a framework for future cooperative efforts. We must all work together to help the Virginia delegation get this bill passed."

You can read the complete text of the bill HERE (pdf format).