Crescent Trail Mountain Bike Trial - Unsuccesful
The Crescent Trail Hiking Association (CTHA), responding to requests from mountain bikers, initiated a shared-use mountain biking program in the mid-1990's. It was unsuccessful, and the trial program was terminated after 4 years. The reasons included: the negative impact on trail walkers by bikers; serious environmental impacts and trail deterioration; and biker disregard for rules and signs. In 1996, CTHA, Town of Perinton officials, and the Monroe County Sheriff's office agreed that the trial period should end.
A report of the Crescent Trail experiences was prepared in March 2009 for Monroe County Legislators and officials to consider as they review the Master Plan. The Ellison Park Master Plan is recommending allowing mountain biking on shared-use trails in certain Monroe County Parks. The CTHA report outlines its lessons learned and makes specific recommendations. It clearly states that shared-use by bikers and walkers on hiking trails is ill-advised. The following is from the report, which is included below in its entirety.
Lessons Learned, and CTHA Recommendations:
- Within a given contiguous public parkland, bicyclists should not be invited onto single-track trails that were designed for, and are being enjoyed by, pedestrian recreationists. Hiker-biker shared use of a single-track trail will result in conflicts and complaints, and an occasional “close call” or injury. Single-track or multi-track trails for mountain bicycles should be established on separate public or private properties where the land is suitable and attractive for bicycle use. If pedestrian users are invited onto such trails, they should be forewarned that the trails are approved for use by cyclists.
- Locate, design and build bicycle trails so they are hardened and sustainable, and to minimize erosion and other environmental damage. Keep bicycle trails well away from sensitive environmental areas as well as known locations of endangered or NYS-protected plant and animal species.
- It’s nearly impossible to control mountain bikers within small properties, or to limit them to just a few designated trails, especially if there are trails or clearings that lead to adjacent or nearby properties and trails. A significant number of cyclists will disregard posters, maps, brochures, signs, and other forms of “education,” and will go off-trail or beyond approved trail routes. Enforcement of bicycling limitations requires intensive on-site surveillance, arrest, and prosecution.
- IMBA guidelines for “soft” cycling (e.g. “ride only when trails are dry”) and trail etiquette (e.g. “yield right-of-way to hikers”) are noble objectives, but any large population of mountain biking enthusiasts will include “gonzo” riders who ignore such constraints. If it’s the weekend or Friday night after work, it matters little whether or not it’s raining. Locate, design and build bicycle trails to withstand frequent disregard of the IMBA rules.
- Formally engage the mountain bike community as a stakeholder, steward, and assisting caretaker for the bicycle trails. Execute a Memorandum of Agreement to spell out roles and responsibilities, and make compliance with the written agreement a condition of continuing authorization for bicycle use of the designated trails within the designated parklands.
- Periodically evaluate outcomes, user conflicts, cycling violations, and damage to public land. Reserve the option and authority to suspend or revoke approval for cyclists to ride on parkland trails.
Full CTHA Report - March 24, 2009 (Click on page for full size.)
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