Idaho Mountain Bikers: 85 Miles of Idaho Trails Could Close
Write or Call Congressman Simpson Today!
Click here for a list of trails that could be closed.
For Immediate Release
07-15-04
Contact: Jenn Dice or Gary Sprung
jenn@imba.com or gary@imba.com
303-545-9011
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is calling on all Idaho mountain bikers to get involved in new Wilderness proposals being developed for the Boulder-White Clouds region of Central Idaho.
More Idahoans ride singletrack per capita than any other state in the nation (per Outdoor Industry Association). Mountain bikers love the outdoors, cherish great places to ride, and want to protect the land surrounding the trails they love.
U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson is preparing to introduce legislation to designate 250,000 acres of Wilderness in central Idaho. Bicycle use is prohibited in Wilderness areas. While IMBA supports protecting pristine lands and has supported new Wilderness protection, the proposed areas contain popular trails that cyclists have ridden for years. Idaho cyclists project that the Boulder-White Clouds proposal would close 85 miles of singletrack to bicyclists.
Please contact Congressman Simpson TODAY! Some talking points:
- Thank Congressman Simpson for protecting land from development and resource extraction.
- Emphasize that mountain bikers support protecting all of the lands under consideration, but Wilderness should not be the only designation used to achieve this goal. Congress can and has used other land protection tools, which allow bicycling. IMBA suggests Protection Areas or improved National Conservation Areas, and Non-Wilderness trail corridors.
- Ask Congressman Simpson to work with cyclists to address trail concerns before he introduces legislation. Eighty-five miles of trails are at stake. We want to support and help pass his bill.
- Stress the economic benefits of cycling to Custer and Blaine counties: tourism industry, bike shops, touring companies and cyclists who spend money at restaurants, gas stations and hotels. Ketchum is a great example of what mountain bike tourism can do for an area.
- Explain that the impacts of hiking and biking are similar
Please phone, fax or email:
U.S. Representative Mike Simpson
802 W. Bannock, Suite 600
Boise, ID 83702
Phone: 208-334-1953
Fax: 208-334-9533
Email web form at: www.house.gov/simpson/emailme.shtml
Thanks for taking action on this very important issue.
