Bureau of Land Management's National Mountain Bike Strategy - 1993

BLM Policy recognizes Mountain Biking as an appropriate use of public lands under its jurisdiction.
Each state will set a goal of trails and miles to be identified and marketed by the year 2000.
In order to reach the goal, partnerships will be sought at local, state and national levels.
The BLM National Mountain Bike Outreach Action Plan will be used as a guide to develop local ideas.

During the past year, BLM has worked with a committee of bicyclists, representatives from bicycle industry groups, bicycle racing industry, and BLM employees to develop a mountain bike initiative for the Bureau. (See Appendix A for a list of the committee members.)

The overall program goal is:

BLM will identify and implement diverse mountain bike opportunities into the multiple use system of trails and roads by the year 2000.

These opportunities will be enhanced by a proactive, educational program emphasizing safety, fitness, ethics and environmental protection and appreciation.

Specific components of the initiative include:

A Mountain Bike Policy for BLM that consists of the following elements:
- Mountain bicycling is a legitimate use, part of the family of trail uses.
- All roads and trails are open - unless designated closed. Riding is only allowed on roads and trails.
- A trail is defined as a marked linear path that enables a person to go from point A to Point B.
- Trails are multiple use with exceptions clearly marked.
- Mountain bikes are prohibited in designated Wilderness Areas. In Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs), consider the use standard of non-impairment as stated in BLM's Interim Management Policy for Lands under Wilderness Review. Generally, mountain bikes should not be promoted in WSAs. When WSAs become designated wilderness, mountain biking will be prohibited.
- All trails will be included in transportation plans. This will enable us to provide trail maintenance money when needed in addition to providing the public with better information.
- Trails are a part of the normal planning process and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures must be followed.
- The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) trails ethic will be adopted for brochures and trail signs. (see page 4)
- Deal with commercial mountain bike use through the normal BLM special recreation permitting process.
- Consistent trail descriptions will be used which include the following: Trail profile (elevation), trail length, surface description (rocky, gravel, sand, etc), width of the trail (jeep road, single track, etc.), weather/seasonal condition, average riding time, special considerations (include ratings as appropriate), vehicle access.
A Mountain Bike Strategy for BLM that consists of the following elements:
- Each state will set a goal of trails and miles to be identified and implemented by the year 2000. Identification of existing roads and trails, not development, is the primary goal.
- To reach the goal, partnerships will be sought at local, state and national levels.
- The National Mountain Bike Outreach Action Plan will be used as a guide to develop local ideas. (Available as a separate handout.)

BLM will use the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) trails ethic.

Ride on open trails only.
Leave no trace.
Control your bicycle.
Always yield trail.
Never spook animals.
Plan ahead.

While BLM can provide resource knowledge, help resolve conflicts, obtain legal access, etc., we will need help from trail users to identify opportunities, generate support from local communities, and complete trail projects. We recommend the following partners be involved at the start of a project:

Trail user groups.
Commercial groups in local, state and regional area.
Other agencies.
and owners.
Local and regional tourism offices including Chamber of Commerce, Welcome Centers, etc.
Commercial partners such as:
- Bicycle Manufacturers.
- Local bicycle dealers.
- General retail outlets (outdoor wear, binoculars, calendars, cross-country ski, etc.)

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	Bureau of Land Management's National Mountain Bike Strategy - 1993 BLM Policy recognizes Mountain Biking as an appropriate use of public lands under its jurisdiction. Each state will set a goal of trails and miles to be identified and marketed by the year 2000. In order to reach the goal, partnerships will be sought at local, state and national levels. The BLM National Mountain Bike Outreach Action Plan will be used as a guide to develop local ideas. During the past year, BLM has worked with a committee of bicyclists, representatives from bicycle industry groups, bicycle racing industry, and BLM employees to develop a mountain bike initiative for the Bureau. (See Appendix A for a list of the committee members.) The overall program goal is: BLM will identify and implement diverse mountain bike opportunities into the multiple use system of trails and roads by the year 2000. These opportunities will be enhanced by a proactive, educational program emphasizing safety, fitness, ethics and environmental protection and appreciation. Specific components of the initiative include: A Mountain Bike Policy for BLM that consists of the following elements: Mountain bicycling is a legitimate use, part of the family of trail uses. All roads and trails are open - unless designated closed. Riding is only allowed on roads and trails. A trail is defined as a marked linear path that enables a person to go from point A to Point B. Trails are multiple use with exceptions clearly marked. Mountain bikes are prohibited in designated Wilderness Areas. In Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs), consider the use standard of non-impairment as stated in BLM's Interim Management Policy for Lands under Wilderness Review. Generally, mountain bikes should not be promoted in WSAs. When WSAs become designated wilderness, mountain biking will be prohibited. All trails will be included in transportation plans. This will enable us to provide trail maintenance money when needed in addition to providing the public with better information. Trails are a part of the normal planning process and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures must be followed. The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) trails ethic will be adopted for brochures and trail signs. (see page 4) Deal with commercial mountain bike use through the normal BLM special recreation permitting process. Consistent trail descriptions will be used which include the following: Trail profile (elevation), trail length, surface description (rocky, gravel, sand, etc), width of the trail (jeep road, single track, etc.), weather/seasonal condition, average riding time, special considerations (include ratings as appropriate), vehicle access. A Mountain Bike Strategy for BLM that consists of the following elements: Each state will set a goal of trails and miles to be identified and implemented by the year 2000. Identification of existing roads and trails, not development, is the primary goal. To reach the goal, partnerships will be sought at local, state and national levels. The National Mountain Bike Outreach Action Plan will be used as a guide to develop local ideas. (Available as a separate handout.) BLM will use the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) trails ethic. Ride on open trails only. Leave no trace. Control your bicycle. Always yield trail. Never spook animals. Plan ahead. While BLM can provide resource knowledge, help resolve conflicts, obtain legal access, etc., we will need help from trail users to identify opportunities, generate support from local communities, and complete trail projects. We recommend the following partners be involved at the start of a project: Trail user groups. Commercial groups in local, state and regional area. Other agencies. and owners. Local and regional tourism offices including Chamber of Commerce, Welcome Centers, etc. Commercial partners such as: Bicycle Manufacturers. Local bicycle dealers. General retail outlets (outdoor wear, binoculars, calendars, cross-country ski, etc.)


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright