From BMA:
I read the linked info.
Betasso is pedestrian only on Saturdays and not withstanding the link trail to connects the two loops it is directional for cyclists. Adding Wednesday for pedestrians only makes sense. Betasso was/is a successful program by those design edicts.
I vividly remember the back half of the 80s and front half of the 90s as a mountain biker. There were very few of us and we were not welcomed by equestrian and hikers. Keep in mind that back then there was no suspension in the 80s and then barely any suspension in the 90s compared to today. We observed trail etiquette, followed IMBA standards for trail design, participated in trail restoration projects and slowly gained acceptance among all trail users (mostly).
Today, trail cycling etiquette is lacking …a lot. Speeds are easily double with 6" - 10" front suspension and head tube angles that are way slacker. It’s an evolution that exists today on the same trails that were ridden 30 - 40 years ago on much different gear and slower speeds by riders that knew we were being “watched”. Today cyclists will just swerve off trail to go around uphill cyclists, hikers and equestrians. That behavior braids trails and is a really bad look.
I will always have a special fondness for all things cycling and will advocate for access. But the reasons for the adjustments proposed in the article are addressing a real problem. It’s been years that hikers and equestrians will just get off the trail and waive cyclists by because they know that it’s not likely that the cyclists will yield. Not saying that’s any of you. But it is the norm and does represent the lack of respect and etiquette that once was.
Rock climbing has similar pains. Awesome sport, but a lot of douchery.
Filled out the survey.
IMO trails should be open to all users on the day of their choosing, unless they are full-time dedicated-use trails. Anything else is exclusionary and unfair to all groups.
Users of multi-use trails have to respect each other and learn to co-exist. Efforts and money should go toward building more trails (and some or many should be dedicated use); improving the quality, visibility, and quantity of multi-use trail rules and etiquette signage (which is effectively non-existent), and increasing community outreach and education on the matter.
Who came up with this? Somehow I have a feeling it wasn’t someone who rides.
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Agree 100%. It’s a matter of education, not over-regulation.
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Sure! I would love to see that. I’ve even been part of the solution as a mtb little league coach for 10 years. Today motos are sneaking onto the Colorado Trail in Summit County. Our very own!!
Cagers and motos are a very similar analogy. Faster cars, distracted drivers with moto riders paying a heavy price. Platitudes and ideology have never created a safer environment for motos (not withstanding that moto riders self inflict most of their own carnage) in spite of “education”. The point is the same. Being right in ideology doesn’t mean things will be right in practicality. 99.99% of the people don’t want to fight wars. Wars suck. And yet…
It’s been a growing problem with mtb’ers for, what?, 26 years? Seems as though there has been ample time to self regulate and integrate with a little educate. Yet, nada y nunca.
I’m a realist. I remember the zero vision initiative. Awesome concept and yet a complete failure. Just look at all the painted white bikes on the side of the road. Absolutely horrible. I’ve come very close to being creamed on the road in Boulder. Fortunately, I was only slightly side-swiped and wound up in the ditch, concussed. I got clocked really badly at White Ranch riding up Belcher Hill. So, it’s real for me.
But I love that the there’s still a dream of coexistence. Truly!
If you haven’t yet filled out the form, there’s still time to do so, and in these local matters, your voice is indeed needed and heard.
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I complete the survey!
I know that I may sound like a dissenting voice for an educational approach vs an alternating schedule approach. I’m not …sort of.
In the 80s I was part of a very small group that engaged with the BOCC of JeffCo and BoCo as well as Open Space authority to allow cyclists on open space trails (Boulder City Mountain Parks was a separate entity back then and that space was a hard “no”) which is why you can’t ride any of those legacy trails.
I was the sole advocate at Copper Mountain to get mtb trails built. I built the momentum and pulled in more stakeholders. I was the person that got the Blair Witch connector approved with the Forest Service in Summit’s Soda Creek and Colorado Trail …after it was already built. It was called Blair Witch because the entrances/exits were secretly marked with crossed pieces of wood. It was an IYKYK thing right up to the point that the White River ranger found the trail. Whoops!
I helped design and build the Rustler trail at the Loma trail area. Same for many trails on the east side of Leadville. Bill Perkins and I hatched the idea for the Leadville mtb 100 …long before Ken Chlouber bought the race.
I’ve put a lot of heart into mountain biking. And then I saw it all get ruined by a new generation of riders. It’s been shitty for over 20 years when compared to the 80s and 90s. I even volunteered my time to teach new riders and start a little league in Summit through Maverick Sports. I have never sought to monetize any of my contributions. Oh, and there’s more. But what I’ve shared suffices to express my pov. Fair?
I hope that there’s an evolution that brings safety, etiquette and respect back to trail use. I contribute these days by being an exemplary steward of our shared outdoor resources.