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"When the trails started closing down, people wanted someone to talk to and someone to represent them. That's the part we played. |
| Carl Birkelbach President of RIDE |
Since its modest origins in the 1970s, mountain biking has become the
multi-mil- lion-dollar sport of the '90s. In fact, according to the New
York Times, mountain bikes now account for nearly two-thirds of the 10 million
bikes sold in America each year.
The Midwest has been swept up in mountain bike fever as well, and the sport
shows no sign of losing its appeal. According to Bruce Chevis, superintendent
of Kettle Moraine-South for the DNR, bikers used the trails in the Southern
Kettle Moraine alone between 28,000 and 30,000 times in 1993.
Wisconsin arguably has some of the best biking terrain in the region, with
more than 4,900 miles of federal and county off-road trails beckoning to
two-wheel users. But after several years of unregulated trail use in the
late '80s, Wisconsin mountain bikers were brought to a screeching halt by
activist groups who were concerned about the impact that bikes were having
on the environment. In 1990, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) reacted to these user groups' concerns by issuing a statement that
all state trails would be closed to mountain bicyclists until further notice.
Enter RIDE, Recreation for Individuals Dedicated to the Environment. Several
avid Kettle Moraine mountain bikers - notably Carl Birkelbach, of Chicago's
Birkelbach Investments, and Mike Bettinger, owner of The LaGrange Country
Store - decided that area mountain bikers were in desperate need of a voice,
and formed the Southern Wisconsin Trail Biking Club, as it was known then.
Over several months the group met with representatives of various user groups
and the DNR. When members of the club realized they'd need more credibility
with the government, they joined forces with Illinois riders and other Midwest
mountain bike groups, and the club name was changed to RIDE.
"When trails started closing down, people wanted someone to talk to
and someone to rep-resent them," said Carl Birkelbach, who is currently
president of RIDE and a board member of the International Mountain Biking
Association (IMBA). "That's the part we played."
The need for a centralized voice for mountain bikers is not a problem germane
to the Mid-west. "This situation is happening throughout the country,"
said Chris Kegel, Wisconsin coordinator of RIDE. "By forming a group,
you validate mountain biking as a sport that has value, and take on responsibility
for helping people understand what the sport is all about."
The organization gathered more than 8,000 signatures supporting a petition
to keep the trails open, proving to the state that mountain bikers were,
indeed, an enthusiastic, vocal trail-user group. Over the next year-and-a-half,
RIDE met with representatives of equestrian and hiking trail user groups,
bike dealers, retail representatives, the DNR and the governor's office.
Eventually, common ground was established, a compromise was reached, and
several trails were reopened in the spring of 1992.
"The environmental damage issue is really a usage issue," said
Kegel. "There's not much difference between the impact of a hiker's
boot, a horse's hoof, and a tire tread. The difference is that there are
more mountain bikers, and they cover more territory in a shorter time. Our
job was, number one, to come up with a fair solution to the problem of the
closures, and then, number two, to educate bikers on their social responsibility
and stewardship to the environment."
Scott Fromader, assistant to Wisconsin Governor Thompson, got involved in
the trail use issue several years ago when his office began receiving letters
from hundreds of concerned mountain bike enthusiasts.
"We've had nothing but total cooperation from RIDE throughout this
whole process," said Fromader. "We've also received valuable input
from them regarding the issues surrounding mountain biking, including ongoing
use of state trails.
"RIDE is very well organized," he said. "It helps the group
that they have a nucleus of people who want to promote mountain biking -
but not at all costs. They're willing to donate time, money and effort to
promoting good etiquette on the trails and prevent destruction of the land..
.That adds to their credibility."
RIDE has undertaken the tasks of promoting appropriate use, development
and care of the region's trails to ensure they will remain open long-term.
In fact, at RIDE's urging, the Wisconsin DNR has agreed to redevelop the
trails in the Southern Kettle Moraine into fully-pre-pared off-road bike
trails, at an estimated cost of $150,000. Approximately half the funds will
come from federal and state funds; the remaining $75,000 will be raised
by private sources such as RIDE and other user groups. Trek Bicycle Company
has also agreed to help in the fund-raising efforts.
RIDE is active not only in the Kettle Moraine, but also in the Shawnee and
Palos Hills areas in Illinois. The group keeps its finger on the pulse of
mountain biking issues throughout the region: in addition to having state
coordinators in Illinois and Wisconsin, RIDE also acts as a conduit in Indiana,
Michigan and Minnesota, working with each state's existing mountain bike
associations. RIDE is also the Midwest representative of IMBA, the International
Mountain Bikng Association, which addresses off-road biking concerns and
interests on a national level. RIDE promotes IMBA's six rules of mountain
biking safety and etiquette; one of their current goals is to have the rules
posted on signs at all state trailheads.
One of RIDE's most successful tactics has been to get bicycle dealers and
retailers involved. Kegel, who is owner of Wheel & Sprocket, a Milwaukee
chain of bicycle and ski stores, has been a trail user for years - on foot,
skis and bikes. Getting involved in RIDE was "consistent with what
I've been doing for years," he said. "I saw a part of a sport
I love in trouble...so I stepped forward."
Bicycle retailers have plenty to lose if the trails close down, and Kegel
urges other retailers to join RIDE or do whatever else is within their ability
to raise awareness about usage issues.
"From a philosophical standpoint, retailers already know it's important
to get involved," said Kegel. "We've got to further the sport
any way we can. Those who love mountain biking need to come forward' to
ensure riders can enjoy their sport throughout the region, he said.
As one of their biggest retailers, Kegel was instrumental in getting the
support of Trek Bicycle Company of Waterloo, Wis. "The problem was
right in their back-yard," said Kegel.
Once Trek was on board, RIDE had an even stronger presence in the Governor's
office.
"As a manufacturer, Trek has the unique opportunity to increase communi-cation,"
said Mary Monroe, a public relations spokesperson for Trek. "As a leader
in the marketplace, we have responsibilities. Number one is to make sure
users are educated; that's why we've independently produced educational
brochures and posters to distribute nationally.
"For years we've been involved with advocacy groups," she said.
"Trek is a strong supporter of IMBA on the national level; RIDE is
an important affiliation on the local level. It goes without saying that
the opportunity to have the trails remain open is essential."
Kegel said that one of the problems RIDE has had to overcome has been what
he calls a "strange prejudice" against mountain bikers. "Many
people picture bikers as these big-city teenagers with boom boxes terrorizing
the country-side," he said. "With very few exceptions, this just
isn't true."
Birkelbach agreed. "About 99% of the people who ride in the forest
are environmentalists," he said. "Many are even members of other
environmental groups: the Sierra Club, Audubon Society, and so on. They
fall in love with the country and want to protect and preserve it."
Nevertheless, overcoming this image has been a significant challenge for
mountain biking groups interested in keeping the trails open.
Kegel has a long-standing relationship with the Sierra Club, having been
a hiker for years and being active in projects like constructing the 76
Trail in the Milwaukee area.
"I didn't like being on opposite sides of the fence from the Sierra
Club," he said. "I knew we could come to a consensus with the
hiking groups, so I worked with Carl to find common ground with every-one
involved."
Since then the Sierra Club and RIDE have found plenty of common ground,
in-deed. In October of 1992 the two groups issued a joint mission statement,
indicating that together they would promote several interests, including:
preservation of the environment; acquisition of and/or access to additional
lands for protection of natural resources and possible future development
of trails; appropriate silent sport use on designated trails; construction
of new trails for both recreation and non-motorized transportation in urban,
suburban and rural areas; and both new trail development and adequate maintenance
of existing trails. According to the statement, RIDE and the Sierra Club
are even planning joint projects in which members of both organizations
can participate.
RIDE volunteers have already helped to add five additional miles to the
John Muir trails in the Southern Kettle Moraine, and plan to complete three
more miles in upcoming months. For information on volunteering for this
project, contact Mike Bettinger at 414/495-8600. According to a recent RIDE
newsletter, the trails should be ready for riding in August.
While it would seem that much of RIDE's hardest work is behind them, the
future holds plenty of challenges for the group. One of the biggest hurdles
to overcome will be communicating with potential members. When use of the
trails was threatened, riders were quick to speak up. Now that the threat
has passed, however, there is less incentive to get involved.
"While the sport continues to grow there's no current crisis at hand
for riders to rally around," said Kegel. "It's harder for us to
keep people interested and involved when issues are more mundane.
Sara Rottunda, Milwaukee area representative of RIDE and a member of the
group's board of directors, agrees. "It's hard to keep in touch with
the mountain biking community," she said. "Unlike roar bike clubs
that go on organized rides, we don't meet formally. I'm sure that will come
with the evolution of the sport, but right now we need to strengthen the
dealer network. They are our most efficient way to get information to riders."
Mountain bikers in urban areas have a special set of requirements, she said.
Fo example, most Milwaukee riders go out-side the city to ride, making communication
with them that much more difficult.
"On the local level, we've established; mountain biking class at the
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee," said Rottunda. The class, taught
by Jerry Pierce, owner of Milwaukee bike shop Rainbow Jersey includes interviews
with representatives of the DNR and lectures on erosion control, as well
as classes on technique. "RIDE would like to see more programs like
his," said Rottunda. "Education on the local level is so important."
As another communication/education vehicle, Kegel hopes to host a mountain
biking event in the Kettle Moraine, featuring races plus education on etiquette
and technique demonstrations. He has received preliminary approval from
the DNR, and is looking for help organizing the event. Call 414/247-8100
for more information.
RIDE members receive joint member-ship in IMBA, plus a club newsletter,
access to a district coordinator, helmet sticker, bumper sticker, and invitations
to special events. For information on joining RIDE or forming a local RIDE
chapter, riders are encouraged to call Carl Birkelbach at 1.800.458.2358,
or write him at 208 S. LaSalle, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60604-1103.
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RIDE
is a non-profit organization and and has obtained Tax Exempt Status under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Copyright 1991 RIDE Recreation for Individuals Dedicated
to the Environment.