Speaking Points for IMBA's Agreement with the NPS

For the first time, National Park Service leaders in Washington, D.C., have formally recognized mountain biking as a positive activity, compatible with the values of our National Park system.
"This agreement represents a true breakthrough for mountain biking," says IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel. "It opens the door for individual park units to partner with mountain bikers and investigate new riding opportunities on a case-by-case basis."
Millions of bicyclists stand to benefit from this agreement. However, IMBA advocates should be careful not to overstate the accomplishment. We don't want to suggest that the NPS will suddenly shift gears in regards to trail access, especially when it comes to adopting new singletrack trails. NPS rules require a lengthy process to open singletrack to bicycle use. Fortunately, appropriate dirt roads may be opened with a more straightforward administrative process.
As part of the agreement, IMBA and the Park Service will initially partner on two pilot projects to be selected later this year. The projects will bring mountain bikers and park officials together for on-the-ground teamwork and serve as models for future collaboration.
Suggestions for pilot projects are welcome.
Additionally, IMBA will provide technical and volunteer assistance to National Park units that are interested in improving their off-road cycling opportunities. IMBA programs such as the National Mountain Bike Patrol, Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew and the IMBA club network can now apply their stewardship skills to our National Parks.

Nuts and Bolts

The IMBA/NPS partnership agreement is properly termed a "general agreement" or "agreement."
Read the complete text of the IMBA/NPS General Agreement.
The agreement was signed on March 17, 2005 and will remain in effect for five years.

Key officials include:

Karen Taylor-Goodrich, NPS Associate Director for Visitor and Resource Protection
Mike Van Abel, IMBA Executive Director
Jenn Dice, IMBA Government Affairs Director

The agreement with the NPS is likely to generate stories in local, regional and national media. Here are some key people at IMBA that can help handle media inquiries:

Pete Webber, IMBA communications director ( , 303-545-9011 x112)
Mark Eller, IMBA communications specialist ( , 303-545-9011 x115)

NPS media contacts:

David Barna, Public Affairs Chief (David_Barna@nps.gov, 202-208-6843)
Elaine Sevy, Public Affairs Deputy Chief (Elaine_Sevy@nps.gov, 202.208.6844)
NPS Media Webpage: http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/pressrm.htm

Other Formal IMBA State and Federal Agency Partners

National Park Service Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance program
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Forest Service
U.S. Bureau of Land Management
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (Forthcoming)

PEER Controversy

In 2002, IMBA was saddened to see a group called Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), an organization that monitors federal agency decisions, ask the NPS to investigate alleged violations of NPS mountain bike policy at Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky), Olympic National Park (Washington), Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (Pennsylvania/New Jersey), Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona), and Redwood National Park, Santa Monica Mountains and Golden Gate NRAs (California). Reads IMBA's 2002 press release.
For example, the Cactus Forest Trail at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona, was closed to bikes in April 2002 following a legal threat by PEER. The 2.5-mile trail - the first legal singletrack open to bikes in a National Park - reopened in 2003, after IMBA and Tucson advocates led a campaign to encourage NPS officials to take action.

Know the Rules

Anyone who's interested in the topic of mountain biking in national parks should know the NPS regulations related to bicycling, contained in the Code of Federal Regulations 36 CFR 4.30.

Lots more info is located on IMBA's National Park Service Resource Page.

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	Speaking Points for IMBA's Agreement with the NPS For the first time, National Park Service leaders in Washington, D.C., have formally recognized mountain biking as a positive activity, compatible with the values of our National Park system. "This agreement represents a true breakthrough for mountain biking," says IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel. "It opens the door for individual park units to partner with mountain bikers and investigate new riding opportunities on a case-by-case basis." Millions of bicyclists stand to benefit from this agreement. However, IMBA advocates should be careful not to overstate the accomplishment. We don't want to suggest that the NPS will suddenly shift gears in regards to trail access, especially when it comes to adopting new singletrack trails. NPS rules require a lengthy process to open singletrack to bicycle use. Fortunately, appropriate dirt roads may be opened with a more straightforward administrative process. As part of the agreement, IMBA and the Park Service will initially partner on two pilot projects to be selected later this year. The projects will bring mountain bikers and park officials together for on-the-ground teamwork and serve as models for future collaboration. Suggestions for pilot projects are welcome. Additionally, IMBA will provide technical and volunteer assistance to National Park units that are interested in improving their off-road cycling opportunities. IMBA programs such as the National Mountain Bike Patrol, Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew and the IMBA club network can now apply their stewardship skills to our National Parks. Nuts and Bolts The IMBA/NPS partnership agreement is properly termed a "general agreement" or "agreement." Read the complete text of the IMBA/NPS General Agreement. The agreement was signed on March 17, 2005 and will remain in effect for five years. Key officials include: Karen Taylor-Goodrich, NPS Associate Director for Visitor and Resource Protection Mike Van Abel, IMBA Executive Director Jenn Dice, IMBA Government Affairs Director The agreement with the NPS is likely to generate stories in local, regional and national media. Here are some key people at IMBA that can help handle media inquiries: Pete Webber, IMBA communications director ( , 303-545-9011 x112) Mark Eller, IMBA communications specialist ( , 303-545-9011 x115) NPS media contacts: David Barna, Public Affairs Chief (David_Barna@nps.gov, 202-208-6843) Elaine Sevy, Public Affairs Deputy Chief (Elaine_Sevy@nps.gov, 202.208.6844) NPS Media Webpage: http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/pressrm.htm Other Formal IMBA State and Federal Agency Partners National Park Service Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance program U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Forest Service U.S. Bureau of Land Management U.S. Bureau of Reclamation New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (Forthcoming) PEER Controversy In 2002, IMBA was saddened to see a group called Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), an organization that monitors federal agency decisions, ask the NPS to investigate alleged violations of NPS mountain bike policy at Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky), Olympic National Park (Washington), Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (Pennsylvania/New Jersey), Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona), and Redwood National Park, Santa Monica Mountains and Golden Gate NRAs (California). Reads IMBA's 2002 press release. For example, the Cactus Forest Trail at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona, was closed to bikes in April 2002 following a legal threat by PEER. The 2.5-mile trail - the first legal singletrack open to bikes in a National Park - reopened in 2003, after IMBA and Tucson advocates led a campaign to encourage NPS officials to take action. Know the Rules Anyone who's interested in the topic of mountain biking in national parks should know the NPS regulations related to bicycling, contained in the Code of Federal Regulations 36 CFR 4.30. Lots more info is located on IMBA's National Park Service Resource Page.


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright