Sample Letters to the Editor

Whether there is an access crisis looming, a forest management plan under review or you just want to keep mountain bicyclists in the news, a letter to the editor of a local newspaper is a great way to do it. These notes can be short, easy to write and are often printed.

Guidelines

Keep letters short. Newspapers rarely print more than 200 to 250 words.
Keep letters positive. No one likes reading negative letters. Instead, try to offer constructive ideas or be part of the solution.
Email your letters and follow with a paper copy. Newspapers appreciate a digital copy but may require a hard copy with your signature for identity verification.
To find your local newspapers visit: http://www.Newspaperlinks.com

General Pro Mountain Biking Points

Off-road cycling is a low-impact, human-powered, legitimate recreation group with more than 35 million annual U.S. participants (Outdoor Industry Association).
Cyclists give back to their local trail systems by volunteering on public land, protecting the environment and preserving open space.
The majority of cyclists are responsible, considerate riders.
Science shows that the environmental impact of bicyclists is similar to that of - hikers.
The bicycle industry contributes more than $6 billion annually to the U.S. economy (Bicycle Retailer).
Off-road cycling is a great form of exercise and helps combat the societal trend toward obesity.
Bicycling helps reduce air pollution by getting people out of their cars and onto bikes.
Mountain bike tourism contributes to the economic vitality of a community by boosting retail, restaurant, hotel, gas and grocery sales.
A united trails community - one that includes mountain bicyclists and other trail groups - can be a powerful, effective voice for increased federal, state and local recreational trails funding.

Deflecting Anti Mountain Bike Arguments

It is important to judge all trail users by the collective group, not a few inconsiderate people.
Mountain bikes have a similar impact on the trail as hikers. Trail damage typically stems from poorly constructed heavily used trails.
Trails can be built for all user groups to enjoy.
Trails can be built to control speed and support shared use.

CA Wilderness Specific Points

State your concern that some of California's best trails will be closed to bikes if all the areas proposed by Senator Boxer become designated Wilderness. If you have specific knowledge of areas in Senator Boxer's proposal that overlap great riding, provide that information.
Mountain bikers support conservation and Wilderness and want all roadless lands protected from development. In areas that include significant bicycling opportunities, please protect land using other designations.
Mountain biking is a low-impact, human-powered activity that is appropriate in some protected places. It is not distinctly different from hiking or horseback riding -- two uses allowed in Wilderness.
California is the birthplace of mountain biking and home to 2.5 million off-road cycling enthusiasts. We are an important constituency that generates millions of tourism dollars for the state of California. Bicycling adds more than $2 billion annually to the state's economy.

Support the U.S. Forest Service Roadless Area Conservation Rule

Please protect 58.5 million acres of America's wild national forests for future generations to enjoy.
By supporting the Roadless rule, you protect these areas from new road-building, mining, logging and oil drilling.
The Roadless rule has broad public support and was a product of years of public input by 1.6 million Americans.
The rule is a balanced proposal that allow for fire protection and access to the existing network of roads.
Roadless areas are important to mountain bicyclists because they are undisturbed and natural.
Roads and road use can detract from the quality of the mountain biking and trail user experience on Forest Service land, making a place less natural and noisier.

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	Sample Letters to the Editor Whether there is an access crisis looming, a forest management plan under review or you just want to keep mountain bicyclists in the news, a letter to the editor of a local newspaper is a great way to do it. These notes can be short, easy to write and are often printed. Guidelines Keep letters short. Newspapers rarely print more than 200 to 250 words. Keep letters positive. No one likes reading negative letters. Instead, try to offer constructive ideas or be part of the solution. Email your letters and follow with a paper copy. Newspapers appreciate a digital copy but may require a hard copy with your signature for identity verification. To find your local newspapers visit: http://www.Newspaperlinks.com General Pro Mountain Biking Points Off-road cycling is a low-impact, human-powered, legitimate recreation group with more than 35 million annual U.S. participants (Outdoor Industry Association). Cyclists give back to their local trail systems by volunteering on public land, protecting the environment and preserving open space. The majority of cyclists are responsible, considerate riders. Science shows that the environmental impact of bicyclists is similar to that of - hikers. The bicycle industry contributes more than $6 billion annually to the U.S. economy (Bicycle Retailer). Off-road cycling is a great form of exercise and helps combat the societal trend toward obesity. Bicycling helps reduce air pollution by getting people out of their cars and onto bikes. Mountain bike tourism contributes to the economic vitality of a community by boosting retail, restaurant, hotel, gas and grocery sales. A united trails community - one that includes mountain bicyclists and other trail groups - can be a powerful, effective voice for increased federal, state and local recreational trails funding. Deflecting Anti Mountain Bike Arguments It is important to judge all trail users by the collective group, not a few inconsiderate people. Mountain bikes have a similar impact on the trail as hikers. Trail damage typically stems from poorly constructed heavily used trails. Trails can be built for all user groups to enjoy. Trails can be built to control speed and support shared use. CA Wilderness Specific Points State your concern that some of California's best trails will be closed to bikes if all the areas proposed by Senator Boxer become designated Wilderness. If you have specific knowledge of areas in Senator Boxer's proposal that overlap great riding, provide that information. Mountain bikers support conservation and Wilderness and want all roadless lands protected from development. In areas that include significant bicycling opportunities, please protect land using other designations. Mountain biking is a low-impact, human-powered activity that is appropriate in some protected places. It is not distinctly different from hiking or horseback riding -- two uses allowed in Wilderness. California is the birthplace of mountain biking and home to 2.5 million off-road cycling enthusiasts. We are an important constituency that generates millions of tourism dollars for the state of California. Bicycling adds more than $2 billion annually to the state's economy. Support the U.S. Forest Service Roadless Area Conservation Rule Please protect 58.5 million acres of America's wild national forests for future generations to enjoy. By supporting the Roadless rule, you protect these areas from new road-building, mining, logging and oil drilling. The Roadless rule has broad public support and was a product of years of public input by 1.6 million Americans. The rule is a balanced proposal that allow for fire protection and access to the existing network of roads. Roadless areas are important to mountain bicyclists because they are undisturbed and natural. Roads and road use can detract from the quality of the mountain biking and trail user experience on Forest Service land, making a place less natural and noisier.


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright