 
Trailwork and scenic vistas at the amazing Big Bend National Park. Photos: Anna Laxague. |
Support Historic Opportunity for New Singletrack at Big Bend National Park
Action Alert
For Immediate Release
09-02-08
Contact: Drew Vankat, Policy Analyst
drew@imba.com
303-545-9011
IMBA urges mountain bikers nationwide to support new singletrack in Texas' Big Bend National Park. The park is requesting initial public comments -- your input is crucial to the project's success.
Take Action! Tell the National Park Service you support construction of this new shared-use trail.
Use the sample language at the bottom of this alert to craft your letter.
Additional Information
This opportunity is the culmination of several years of hard work and collaboration between local mountain bike advocates and NPS staff. The Big Bend Trails Alliance has been vigilant in working with park staff to develop an appropriate proposal for new singletrack. Currently, only dirt roads are open to mountain bikers in Big Bend National Park.
The proposed trail would provide visitors with an exemplary park experience, easily accessed from the main visitor center and suitable for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians of all ability levels. The proposed corridor has been designed to encourage positive user interactions, control speed and provide good sight lines.
Big Bend is one of three pilot project parks identified by IMBA and the NPS to develop long-term partnerships and provide new opportunities for mountain bicycling. While many parks allow bicycling on some dirt roads or trails, the Big Bend project represents one of the most promising opportunities for construction of a new, shared-use trail. This trail will be a model of sustainable construction and exemplify best practices for shared-use singletrack.
Increasing the opportunities for mountain biking in national parks offers solutions to many of the challenges the NPS faces. Bicycling draws people out of their cars; away from congested roads, parking lots and trailheads; and out into the fresh air. Mountain biking appeals to young people and encourages their active involvement in national parks.
Mountain bikers perform nearly a million hours of volunteer trail stewardship annually -- our contributions can bring new resources to Big Bend and other national parks.
IMBA and the NPS signed a formal partnership agreement in 2005. The document laid the groundwork for cooperation between mountain bicyclists and the agency and formally recognized mountain biking as a positive activity, compatible with the values of the park system.
Sample Language for Comment Letters
Dear National Park Service,
I support the construction of a new shared-use trail, located in a non-Wilderness area of Big Bend National Park, for bicyclists, hikers and equestrians.
This project is consistent with the 2005 national agreement between IMBA and the NPS and has been thoroughly vetted with agency archaeological and botanical reviews.
Scientific research funded by the NPS shows the environmental impacts of mountain biking are similar to those of hiking and far less than other uses.
The proposed trail corridor has been professionally designed to minimize user conflict, reduce speeds and provide adequate sight lines for all user groups.
IMBA members recognize the backlog of maintenance needs for public trails and donate nearly one million hours of volunteer trail stewardship each year. Mountain bike volunteers are willing to help the agency construct and maintain this trail, bringing a new base of volunteer support to Big Bend National Park.
Please expand this Environmental Assessment to include the future phases of trail construction.The agency has identified a potential first phase of five miles and additions that would bring the trail to more than 11 miles.
Thank you for considering my comments as you develop the Environmental Assessment. This trail would be a terrific asset for Big Bend National Park.
