NYC Mountain Bikers Reach Out to Parks to Gain Legal Access

25 dedicated mountain biking advocates from Staten Island, Long Island, New Jersey and Pennsylvania joined forces for the re-route project at the Greenbelt.
Reclaiming this eroding fall-line trail was a major undertaking. The crew installed check dams to catch sediment and restore the hillside, imported soil from downslope where 12 cubic feet of soil was cleaned off a bridge, and planted saplings that were removed during the bench cut.
Matt LeBow and 'mini' Matt make quick work of the 275 foot re-route.
The final product is a trail unlike any other in the Greenbelt, a rolling contour sustainable trail.
This energetic crew also created this rolling grade dip to keep water from traveling down the old trail onto the new trail.
The old trail used to go straight up past the bridge, but it is now unrecognizable after 3 hours of construction and reclamation.

New York City welcomed Aaryn Kay and Scott Linnenburger of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew over the October 18th weekend. In a follow-up to 2002's Hot Spot visit, the Crew continued to work with land managers and politicians toward the compatibility of mountain bike use in NYC Parks and educating mountain bikers on sustainable trail design, construction, and maintenance. The weekend culminated in a trail reclamation/reroute project where NYC Mountain bikers demonstrated the skills of the trailbuilding trade in Staten Island's Greenbelt Park on a hiking-only trail, as there are currently no legal natural surface trails for mountain bikers to enjoy in any of the five boroughs.

Long-time Staten Island resident and cycling advocate, Dr. Rob Vallinoti, stated "This is just our way of sending a positive message that we are eager and more than able to help the parks." Matt LeBow, mountain biker and New York Adventure Racing Association (NYARA) Advocate, added, "As recreationalists we are reaching out to the environmental groups with a project like this. We all want the same thing - a great park system that everyone can enjoy and pass on to our children in better condition than it is in today." Concerned Long Island Mountain Bikers (CLIMB) Trail Steward, Mike Vitti said of the Greenbelt Park, "I don't think most people even know that this great place exists. It has maturing forest, soil that is very conducive to sustainable trails, views across the water, and it is so close to millions of people." Though a tough political path lies ahead of NYC mountain biking advocates, so much positive energy and momentum can only lead to good things.

Many thanks to Matt LeBow, Dr. Rob, and the other NYC cycling advocates for a great weekend of trailbuilding, and camaraderie. Your tireless energy is appreciated and understood by everyone who as dealt with an access situation like New York City's.