From my perch in Boulder County, Colorado, your Salt Lake controversy over bicycles on local hiking trails looks sadly familiar.
Decades ago, when bicycle riding remained largely on roads, Boulder hosted the Red Zinger (later taken over and named for Coors Beer). Some of the early technology companies to set up here included Schwinn. Boulder embraced the bicycle culture in the ’90s, back when leg-driven wheels seemed aligned with low-impact technology.
In the past decade or two, with the emergence of extreme sports and a huge industry building ever more innovative bicycles, our foothills trails have come under attack. The popular Mesa Trail, which passes beneath our iconic Flatirons, is still for walkers; but for a decade the bicycle industry has been whining to use it, or to get a trail of their own that follows a similar route through the foothills.
Recent planning may allow them to have it, just downslope. It won’t destroy the current trail, but it will disperse wildlife and bring a new level of noise, speed, dust and machinery.
I no longer take hikes where mountain bikes are permitted because the trails are dug up. The bicyclists, meanwhile, demonstrate a reflexive politeness. Many of us are sick of them whipping up from behind, hollering “On the left, on the left!” as you leap out of the way. That is followed by “Thank you, thank you!” as you try to recover your footing.
I actually find the dirt-bike motorcycle crowd less obnoxious. They seem less privileged, and typically slow down when they encounter a pedestrian.
The next phase, e-bikes, comes in yet another green garment, but a wheel is a damaging piece of machinery for any ecosystem, powered by gas, battery or the legs of the mad cyclist. You guys better watch out!
Andrew Schelling, Boulder, Colorado