Take Action to Increase Bicycling Opportunities in National Parks

From IMBA:

The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) has proposed an important rule change that will make it easier for parks to open trails to mountain biking. IMBA urges mountain bikers to register comments in support of the new rule. We have been asking the NPS to make this change since the 1990s — we now enter a 60-day commentary period to make the change official.

Take Action Now!

We know that several groups are working hard to defeat this proposal. It will take thousands of comments supporting the NPS to ensure the rule is approved. Please lend your voice to the discussion today.

Bicycling broadens recreational offerings in national parks and helps Americans get much-needed exercise. It connects people with the natural world and is a fun, low-impact activity. Observers of national parks worry that the NPS is losing relevance with today's youth — bicycling can help address that problem. Mountain biking is a great way to help kids fall in love with parks. According to the Outdoor Industry Foundation, bicycling is a leading “gateway activity” that gets kids outside and interested in outdoor pursuits, such as hiking, camping and fishing.

Many trails will not be good candidates for bicycle use. IMBA recognizes that bicycling will not be considered in Wilderness Areas or Wilderness Study Areas, and that many historic parks and battlefields will not be suitable for mountain biking. We also know, however, that shared-use trails have proven successful in thousands of locations, including many federally managed parks.

The most promising properties offer a combination of non-Wilderness lands and underutilized facilities that make them good candidates for expanded mountain biking opportunities. IMBA-affiliated clubs can assist the NPS in identifying the best locations for mountain biking. If the local NPS staff agrees an opportunity exists, our clubs stand ready to provide park staff with volunteer resources.

As the proposal explicitly states, none of the NPS procedures for environmental review — or opportunities for public commentary — will be diminished by this rule change. What it achieves is a more manageable system for adopting mountain biking trails. The proposal states, "As a general matter, the proposed rule provides park superintendents with a more efficient and effective way to determine whether opening existing trails to bicycles would be appropriate in the park unit they manage."

Shape Sioux Falls Open House December 17

Sioux Falls, South Dakota: The Shape Sioux Falls initiative will unveil draft land use and development policies that will help shape the community over the next 25 years at an open house scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2008, at the Historic Orpheum Theater, 315 North Phillips Avenue.

Members of the Shape Sioux Falls Review Committee, City of Sioux Falls Planning staff, and consultants with RDG Planning and Design will be available to answer questions.

The draft land use and development policies are a result of eight months of work by a committee of 20 citizens with a goal to help update development and redevelopment policies, including methods that create lively, secure, and distinctive places throughout the community.

These development policies were guided by the results of a visual listening survey completed during the spring. The survey was completed by 1,500 Sioux Falls citizens who rated a series of images used to illustrate various options for development.

To review and comment on the full draft development policies go to the Shape Sioux Falls webpage at www.siouxfalls.org.

Kinetic Energy (now called Komet)

Very cool thinking from the folks at Kinetic:

Need to conserve energy after walking the aisles of this year’s Interbike? Premium cycling trainer manufacturer, Kurt Kinetic, has just the thing – the new Kinetic Energy Trainer, designed to store energy from a cyclist’s workout or training ride and allow them to use it to power small appliances.

The Kinetic Energy Trainer is new to Interbike 2008, and won an “iF” product award at Eurobike in Germany earlier this month where it was previewed at Eurobike. The Kinetic Energy is now available direct from Kurt Kinetic or from the company’s network of retail and distribution partners nationwide.

“Our Kinetic Energy Trainer stayed in R+D longer than most of the products we bring to market,” says Paul Carlsen, Division Manager, Kinetic Cycling. “Because of the vast amount of early interest it received and anticipation from dealers we wanted to ensure it can really handle anything. It’s ready and we’re sure the Kinetic Energy Trainer will deliver both at our booth and in the marketplace”

The Kinetic Energy Trainer offers the same precision design and ultimate road-like training ride that made Kurt Kinetic famous. But it comes with the ability to capture energy generated by the rider during a workout or training ride. In a typical 3-hour ride a cyclist will generate 0.5 kw/hr, which is then captured by the Kinetic Energy’s resistance unit and transferred via DC/AC cable to a portable power station. The stored energy can be used to power a radio, recharge a cell phone or run a small appliance making this ideal for outdoor camping trips, multiple day training rides and also for emergency situations and power outages at home.

The Kinetic Energy retails at $499.99 and like every Kurt Kinetic trainer, replicating the feel and challenges of an outdoor ride is a high priority. The Kinetic Energy features a 6.25 lb flywheel for realistic coast-down, offers smooth, quiet resistance and a 15-minute coast down from 20 mph. A 2 1/8 inch roller reduces tire wear and the trainer is supported by Kurt’s standard unconditional warranty against manufacturer’s defects. The flywheel and 12V AC/DC adapter cable are also sold separately and will fit any other Kurt Kinetic trainer for cyclists wishing to turn their already pre-owned trainer into an energy generating model.

“We previewed the Kinetic Energy just a couple of weeks ago at Eurobike in Germany,” adds Carlsen. “The reaction to its potential was tremendous. Beyond cycling enthusiasts it has uses for outdoor camping and RV owners, or in emergency situations and when the power goes out at home.”

Kurt Kinetic originally codenamed the product the 911 trainer for its obvious benefits in emergency situations, and the company is currently in discussions to offer the product to third world disaster relief and indigenous business improvement programs as well as market it to countries where no national electricity grids exist.

Winter Storage Bail Out Plan

Here is our Winter storage bail out plan. Or our it could be a ride your bike this Spring stimulus package. We are now providing bike storage over the winter. For more information click on the image above.

Sugoi Promotion

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