Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) Night Riding Request

From: Wakefield A Model for Night Mountain Bike Riding

ATTACHMENT # 1
MORE NIGHT RIDING PROPOSAL

On behalf of the entire DC area mountain biking community, and representing the over 300 active members of the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE), we the board of MORE would like to request that Lake Accotink park management consider formally adopting a policy allowing night mountain bike riding on park trails.

MORE believes that night-riding on the trails of Accotink park represents a positive and healthy athletic activity that benefits members of the public as well as the park. As with other activities at the park, we support open access for anyone who wishes to engage in this sport, and would like to work with the park authority to develop a program that permits night riding and meets the needs of the park.

First, we would like emphasize the many positive aspects of night riding at Accotink park:

• Less vagrancy and other illicit activities: Anecdotal evidence shows that night riding in the park has led to a real decrease in youth drinking and general vagrancy. Since many illicit activities occur at night, night-time trail use tends to act as an efffective deterrent. Over the past several years, night riders have helped with assault cases, cult activities, youth drinking, and other illicit activity.
• Positive, healthy activity for families and area residents: Mountain biking is a highly popular sport with area residents including families and riders of all ages. Night-riding is a well established part of this sport with a long and safe history both at this park and at many other facilities around the nation.
• Meets the needs of a busy urban population: For many area residents, nighttime is the only time they have available for riding. These riders are the same people who turn out for trailwork days to help maintain the park, and who support increased programs and funding for parks in the area. Without night riding, many local riders will never get a chance to use the trails at these parks and will only be able to ride on the weekends.
• Fewer user conflicts: Because there are far fewer users present in the park at night, night-riding offers a time where there are far fewer opportunities for conflicts between different users of the trail system. By allowing night riding, the park spreads out use over a wider time period thereby minimizing overcrowding during daylight hours.

History of safe riding at this park:
Although no athletic activity is without risk, local riders have been riding at night for years with little indication that this is an activity any more dangerous than other activities at the park.

One of many night activities at area parks:
Many area parks allow night activities under park provided lighting. Night riding is simply another night activity with lighting provided by the riders. It is a low impact, fun athletic activity for anyone.

Night Riding Proposal:

Given the above benefits and the overwhelming demand for night access to this popular recreational resource, we propose that the trails at Accotink be formally opened for night riding. Because this area is popular with a large number of riders, and to minimize management requirements, we recommend that trails be opened to all area riders without restriction.

MORE Assistance in Managing a Night Riding Program:

In order to assist the park in managing a night riding program, MORE is prepared to work with the park to implement a number of programs that could help assuage concerns that may exist over night use at the park. MORE would organize these programs at no cost to the park in order to help manage night-time trail use.

Depending on Park needs, MORE is prepared to discuss and plan:

• - Providing a Night Riding Clinic that culminates in a Night Riding Pass that can be revoked for non-compliance with established rules.
• - Establishing a night mountain bike patrol
• - Safety Advisors or trail guides
• - Additional signs educating riders on safe night riding rules

The IMBA Patrol:
The International Mountain Bike Association (www.imba.com) has established a popular and growing national mountain bike patrol system with a certification and education program for establishing local patrols. Patrols can offer trail assistance, directions, safety advise, and importantly, report trouble in the park or on the trail. Patrollers would all carry cell phones, bike tools, and first aid equipment. IMBA Patrol provides insurance and insurance program that would cover all patrollers, and MORE would raise funds under its non-profit status to pay expenses. Patrollers would not act as law enforcement officers, but could report activities to police and the park authority as necessary.

MORE Club Rides:

We firmly believe the best solution will be to open the park to all individuals who wish to ride at night. This will most effectively meet the needs of the local riding population, and requires a minimum of coordination and management time. MORE would like to work with the park to make this possible.

If an Open-to-all policy is deemed an absolute impossibility, an alternative to an outright ban would be to allow MORE to lead organized rides.

MORE is prepared to manage a regular series of club led organized rides as a way to organize night riding activity. MORE club rides would be led by club designated leaders, would be authorized by the park, and would keep all riders together with the groups. The rides would be covered as club activities under our club liability insurance, all leaders would carry cell phones in the event of emergency, and we would assist in reporting any illicit activities witnessed in the park.

In summary, MORE is eager to work with the park to find a solution to the night riding issue that meets everyone¹s needs. We believe the park can benefit from our presence in the park at night, and we believe night riding is something that the local population has shown it wants. We are prepared to work with the park staff in making this work.

Sincerely,

Eric von Eckartsberg
President, MORE -- on behalf of the MORE board and membership