Dear Concerned IMBA-SORBA Members,
The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources is soliciting public review and comments on its current plan for managing state parks.
You can review the parks plan and submit comments online. Do not delay, as your comments must be submitted by October 31!
Please consider sending a message that address all or some of the following points:
- Mountain bikers have become an important user group in recent years and deserve increased facilities
- All bordering states allow mountain biking in state parks
- Today’s shared-use trails are durable, low-maintenance and relatively inexpensive to build
- Mountain bike tourism contributes to the economic vitality of a community by boosting retail, restaurant, hotel, gas and grocery sales
- The vast majority of cyclists are responsible, considerate riders who share trails well with other user groups
- Off-road cycling is a low-impact, human-powered, legitimate recreation group with more than 35 million annual U.S. participants
- Off-road cycling is a great form of exercise and helps combat the societal trend toward obesity — it’s especially appealing to kids
- A united trails community — one that includes mountain bicyclists and other trail groups — can be a powerful, effective voice for increased federal, state and local recreational trails funding
- Cyclists have a great record of giving back to their local trail systems, volunteering on public land and protecting the environment
- Several IMBA-affiliated clubs currently maintain trails in city parks, as well as a variety of state and federal lands — yet only one NC State Park has opened singletrack trails to mountain bikers
If you have ever ridden or plan to ride North Carolina, please take the time to send your comments in support of expanded and improved shared-used trails in our state parks.
IMBA-SORBA and its chapters/affiliates have made good progress this year and have greatly improved our relationship with state parks. Now it’s time for your voice to be heard. Please take a few minutes to respond.
Thanks for considering this request!
Tom Sauret
IMBA-SORBA Executive Director and Regional Director
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See our letter to the NC Department of Natural Resources after the break…
To Whom It May Concern,
