Compiled by Outside Online

November 15, 2002 The Bureau of Land Management has released a new comprehensive federal plan offering guidance for the management of mountain biking on the agency's 262 million acres of public lands. The National Mountain Bicycling Strategic Action Plan, announced Tuesday at the National Trails Symposium in Orlando, is being applauded by the mountain-biking community for its support of bikers, deference to local control, and adaptability over time.

"This is a great plan," said Tim Blumenthal, executive director of the non-profit, Boulder, Colorado-based International Mountain Bicycling Association, in a press release. "It addresses the current desire of mountain bikers, leaves most decision making to local managers, and is adaptable as the sport evolves."

The ten-year plan is an updated version of BLM's 1992 Mountain Bicycle Strategy plan. With a dramatic increase in mountain bikers plus the addition of new technologies over the past ten years, BLM saw a need for a broader and more complete document. The new action plan does not contain regulations, but provides guidance to state and field office managers, interest groups, and individuals for trail management and resource protection measures related to mountain biking.

IMBA, which is supported by some 32,000 individual members and 450 bicycle clubs, is pleased because the plan recognizes changing demographics and identifies emerging technologies, leaving room for adaptation in the future.



The final plan was crafted with input the BLM received from mountain bikers, hikers, IMBA leaders, and the BLM's own Off-Highway Vehicle Strategy department during the document's draft stage last year. Pooling the suggestions, officials developed what is now a 31-page document, the most comprehensive mountain biking strategy ever created by a U.S. land management agency.

"The BLM and the public recognized a need for a plan that addresses non-motorized, mechanized use apart from off-highway vehicle use," said BLM Director Kathleen Clarke in a press release. "The public actively participated in the development of the mountain bicycling plan, which demonstrates the quality of work that can be achieved when the public partners with the BLM in managing public lands."

The document focuses on six important issues: coordination between internal and external groups, education of a consistent ethics message, planning and environmental consideration, funding needs, emerging issues, and regulations for consistent management.

The IMBA will work with the BLM to coordinate the necessary volunteer resources and technical assistance, as well as seek funding from Congress in order to begin implementation of the plan as soon as possible.

The complete BLM National Mountain Bicycling Strategic Action Plan can be viewed at http://www.blm.gov/mountain_biking/