M
arin County is in a timewarp. In the rest of our country and beyond, non-motorized recreationists –such as hikers, runners, equestrians, dog walkers, and mountain bikers- share and enjoy the same trails without anger, without bias, and without conflict. Yet here in Marin -the birthplace of modern mountain biking- the sport and those that enjoy it have been maligned, marginalized, and denounced for more than thirty years. Charges -made by a small minority of individualsaccuse any and all mountain bikers of deplorable deeds: environmental destruction, killing wildlife, running down hikers, and more; yet none of these charges are based in fact. Decades of studies, surveys, and peer reviewed research have shown that the impacts of mountain bikes are equal to those of hiking and that conflict between users is not only very rare, but primarily an issue of misperception and pre-conceived bias.* People that ride mountain bikes are not a stereotype. We are diverse, unbound by gender, age, ethnicity, wealth, or politics, and united only by our shared enjoyment of mountain biking. We are accountants, mechanics, cashiers, students, caregivers, tech workers, and teachers. We are your neighbors, your friends, and perhaps even your family. We are dog owners, runners, backpackers, equestrians, and virtually all of us are hikers. We hike with our children, our family and friends, in our national parks and wilderness areas, on our beautiful Marin trails, and all of us cherish and enjoy our public lands as much as anyone. Access4Bikes does not seek to bar anyone from trails or single out other users as bad, dangerous, or uncaring; we are simply working toward a safer, more inclusive, more connected, more sustainable, and more enjoyable trail network for all. For more information, visit www.access4bikes.com. Mountain Biking: A Review of the Ecological Effects. Parks Canada – National Office. 2010 * Planning and Managing Environmentally Friendly Mountain Bike Trails. Bureau of Land Management, Northern Arizona University, and Arizona State University. * 2006 Assessing and Understanding Trail Degradation: Results From the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. U.S. Geologic Survey. 2006 * Trail Use Conflict Study. California State Parks. 2012 * Marin County Park User and Visitor Survey. 2011 * this is only a partial list of research in the field.
Michael Levy Pet Food Express
Strawberry Recreation District
Ready, Set, Go ... CAMP STRAWBERRY! Go Swimming! Go Tennis! Go Cooking! Go Yoga! Go Arts & Crafts! Go Nature! Go Science! _ Go Adventure! Professional athletic instruction in swimming, tennis, soccer and so much more!
June 8—August 21 Ages: 4½-6 • 6-10 • 11-15 Full summer or weekly options Sign up now! New! Cross Training Camp - Ages 8-12
info@access4bikes.com _ PO Box 33, Woodacre, CA 94973
Download registration forms: http://strawberry.marin.org 118 E. Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley • (415) 383-6494 46 PACIFIC SUN APRIL 3 - APRIL 9, 2015