Proposal Would Ease Rules on Bikes in Parks
Excerpts:
The Interior Department issued a proposed rule yesterday that would make it easier for mountain bikers and other cyclists to traverse the backcountry of national parks.
Environmentalists decried the rule, which is now subject to a 60-day comment period, saying it would spark conflicts between cyclists, who can travel at high speeds, and other park visitors who prefer to hike or ride on narrow trails.
…The Park Service did not issue a statement on the proposal, and its press office did not return calls seeking comment yesterday.
… Kristen Brengel, a campaign director with the Wilderness Society, said she hopes the next administration will be able to reverse the decision, which would not become final until Barack Obama takes office. "It's a loosening of the rules by anyone's standard," she said.
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Sam Goldman
Sam has been with The Wilderness Society since Fall 2007. He came most recently from M+R Strategic Services in Washington, DC where he worked with national environmental groups to improve their online campaign work and field organizing capacity. Before that, Sam was the Assistant National Field Director for U.S. PIRG where he covered a variety of issues including the fight to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
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