Bike-Friendly Virginia Bill Faces Crucial Vote in Congress

Action Alert

For Immediate Release
10-19-07
Contact: Drew Vankat, Policy Analyst

303-545-9011

Mountain bikers need to urge their U.S. Representative to support the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act (H.R.1011), a bicycle-friendly land preservation bill. A positive vote on Tuesday, October 23 would bring this bill one step closer to becoming law.

IMBA has sent previous action alerts on this issue, but the upcoming vote in Congress is extremely important. Local advocates have worked hard to help create legislation that will protect valuable trails and preserve important backcountry mountain biking experiences. Your action can help set an example for singletrack preservation in your favorite riding area.

Take Action

Tell your U.S. Representative to support H.R.1011. IMBA's simple online form makes it easy to submit your comments.

Pass it along. Ask your friends to support bicycle-friendly land preservation.

Why Support This Bill?

Protects the Land: In addition to preserving important mountain biking trails and the land around them, negotiations also produced the creation of 40,000 acres of new Wilderness, where bicycling will not be allowed. These new Wilderness areas do not contain important singletrack, but will preserve more Virginia backcountry, and local mountain bikers and IMBA support the collaborative approach that led to their creation.

Preserves Trail Access: Because the federal government has interpreted Wilderness to mean no bikes, mountain bikers are forced to advocate for other ways to preserve access to their favorite trails. The Virginia bill includes 12,000 acres of National Scenic Area designation that allows mountain bikers to continue riding some of the best trails in the area

Includes Provision for a New, Sustainable Trail: The bill calls for construction of the Rye Valley Trail, a sustainable reroute of the badly eroded Virginia Highlands Horse Trail, a popular mountain biking and horse route.

Additional Information

IMBA's Virginia Land and Trail Preservation Campaign

IMBA's Land Preservation Policies