To whom it may concern within the United States
Forrest Service.
I would appreciate your
consideration of my opinion regarding off-road cycling. I believe riding
bicycles is the best way to get exercise and develop a healthy
relationship with other people, as well as the environment. I understand there
is an ongoing conflict occurring in several states in the North-Western region between
the United State's Forrest Service, and the vast community of cyclists. I
support the federal efforts to preserve nature, so my goal is to prove to you
that off-road bicycle riding is not a threat to the great outdoors, in fact it
has only made humanity's relationship with nature more intimate, and in turn
more respectful and caring towards Nature. The health of this planet and it's
people depends on how well we communicate on these matters that effect us all.
Throughout this letter I will address various aspects of how bicycling is a sustainable activity and an ideal way for
us to solve serious problems in America today. On our National Forests the
battle is joined, between the protectors of the land and for those whom it is
protected.
In 1905, President T.
Roosevelt, an avid outdoors-man, formed the United States' Forrest Service
simply because he could not stand by and watch America’s forest being ravaged
by the timber empire of an industry. He understood our need for natural places
and insisted that we enjoy it, but don't destroy it, and protect it without
being banned from it. It has been a steady struggle to strike that balance ever
since. I am among a new breed of outdoors-man who have evolved onto two
wheels. A United States Forest Service Ranger’s job is to serve the public’s
interests, while also preserving the land. In Spokane, Washington, a U.S.F.S.
enforcement officer is expected to cover approximately 1.3 million acres which
is impossible in a SUV vehicle, realistically. Thirty-Five percent of all the
land in the United States now belongs to the government. Other not so distant Countries
such as Canada chose to designate specific areas for mountain bike trails there
will be no need for people to dig trails illegally. The sport grew rapidly so
they began using ski resorts in the summer time, chair-lifts and all! This land
belongs to us all and this society’s government needs to be more aware of the
fact that it is possible to protect the landscape while allowing bicyclists to
ride.
You
are severely mistaken if you think Off-Road Cyclists do not cherish this land.
We are the ones interacting with the land, not the businessman who spend all
their time indoors. The intentions of us mountain bikers is definitely not to
destroy the Forest, but to get out it in it and endure an experience that would
otherwise never happen without bikes. There are much more productive ways for
us to spend our tax dollars than to pay people to chase citizens through the
woods and if caught, destroying their equipment. I have personally seen a Park
Ranger cut the chain
My
fondest memories take me back to riding trails tucked within the Santa Cruz mountains,
developing a strong bond with the environment, and with friends and family. The
cycling community is an incredibly inviting and encouraging subculture where
everyone can relate to one another’s emotions, sharing this amazing experience as they ride the same exciting trail. The
sport of cycling relieves stress because it lets us live entirely in the moment.
Riding a bike allows us to be free from irrelevant problems that happened in
the past, therefore we focus on what’s happening right now! Cycling encourages
us to push our physical and mental capabilities which leads to endless
progression. I am honored to say that as a teen, I’ve ridden with friends that
have made a living of doing exactly what they love to do, and that’s Ride
Bikes. To this day, they are much more
healthy than the average and they are so committed that at this point, there is
no alternative for them. Their desire to ride is simply unstoppable because
they are in love with constantly progressing and exploring. I believe it is
human-nature to want to explore and experience what our surroundings has to
offer, but If we’re constantly tuned into electronics and the media then we
never get the chance to see what we’re missing out on out in the wild.
Having an
Mechanic as a father, I grew up around tons of tools which has intrigued me to
wonder about and figure out what makes the wheels turn.
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