[pct-l] Bikes on the PCT

[Dirk Rabdau]

I honestly believe that mountain bikes should be kept off the PCT for the simple 
reason that mountain bikes are mechanical transport, and therefore  expressly 
prohibited by The Wilderness Act of 1964. I think the larger issue here is to 
what degree do we preserve wildernesses? Are bikes an infringement upon 
wildereness? And if they were to allow bicycles into Wilderness, then by 
extension, is it possible other mechanical transport would cite the precedent? 


Any change to the interpretation of the Wilderness Act would be 
immediaely challenged; there is no doubt in my mind that the mechanical 
transport clause would be cited, along with the intent of Congress when it 
enacted the law.

Obvioulsy, the entire PCT does not run through sections designated as either 
Wildernesses or National Parks. But in an effort for preservation, we, as a 
society, do enact lawsto maintain the character of an area. We establish 
Wilderness areas, potect hertigate sites, prohibit certain flights over specific 
areas, restrict snowmobiling, ban hunting all in an attempt to preserve the 
character of our wild lands. Do mountain bikes infringe upon the character of 
the Pacific Crest Trail? Are there places where it's worth preserving the 
original vision of the founders of the trail?

I honestly believe many would view this as a slippery-slide test case. If the 
PCT would allow mountain bike access, what about the thousand of other trails 
thrugh wilderness where mountain bikes are already prohibited?  I think most 
mountain bikers support the intent and spirit of the Wilderness Act. Anyone who 
loves nature wants to see the spirit and integrity of this Act preserved, for 
it's one of the few laws that has had the desired effect of protecting America's 
treasured places.

Dirk