Email response from CH Local deal

We got this today from Bill:

Hey Guys,

I'm a mountain biker (among other enduro sports) from Richmond, VA. I'm also a local MTB club member (RA-MORE) and trail worker. I just finished reading an article in the Chestnut Hill Local and felt compelled to post on your forums. Unfortunately, the link to sign up for the forums didn't work so I'll just let you guys know I'm super impressed with your trail work and the trails in the Wissahickon in general.

The troubles between walkers and bikers is no different in Richmond…and just about any other location where single track trails are present. There will always be rude bikers and walkers who feel that, even though they don't contribute to the trails – that those exact trails belong solely to them.

The middle road that Joshua Haims proposes is the obvious direction to take; it seems that it is a more aggressive position that is taken by the walkers such as Mr. Werner that hinders progress and increases the likelihood of clashes between user groups.

In my business, I travel throughout VA, MD and WV and have the opportunity to ride many different trails systems. The trails in Wissahickon are at the top of my list of favorite trails…if not the top trail.

In my travels, there are a few parks that require not only bikers to acquire permits, but ANYONE who uses the park. Just a thought, if they push the permit enforcement (which would probably be a good thing), requiring ALL trail users to buy a permit could be a good way to mitigate user clashes. Yes, it would probably anger the trail walker population but, as Maura McCarthy stated, it is the fact that all trail users contribute to trail degradation.

Thanks for the great work on the trails; any time you are in Richmond, check out the trails in the James River Park – they are very similar to the Wissahickon (in fact, I tell my MTB buddies that the Wissahickon is like the James River Park but on steroids).

You guys are very lucky to have such a great trail system and your care of those trails show it!

Good luck in the upcoming negotiations.
 
Bill Swann