| Middlesex Fells - Ad Hoc Mountain Bike Committee
Policy Proposal
Subject: Non-motorized mountain bike use in the Middlesex Fells
Section Index:
I. Purpose of the policy
II. Alternatives considered
III. Designated mountain bike trail
IV. Open use of fire roads
V. Seasonal use
VI. Mountain biker education & policy implementation
VII. Policy review
I. Purpose of the Policy
Two primary goals of the policy:
* To protect the environment of the reservation
* To protect the rights & expectations of other users
These considerations are made with particular respect to one of
the overriding purposes of the reservation: to provide visitors
with the opportunity to escape from urban stresses through the
solitude of a quality natural setting.
II. Alternatives Considered
The committee considered the following:
* Prohibiting mountain biking in the Fells
* Establishing a permit / license system or bikers
* Allowing mountain biking on fireroads only
* Designating corridors
* Designating geographic areas
* Designating a mountain bike trail
In weighing these alternatives the committee considered, not only
the above mentioned goals, but also the ease of administration &
enforcement. A designated mountain bike trail was chosen, in part,
because it would provide a means of enfranchising the mountain
bike community, & thus enlisting their support in administration
& enforcement. Other alternatives were rejected for a variety of
reasons. For example, prohibition was deemed extremely difficult
to enforce. Seperate geographic areas seemed to only shrink the
Fells for all users, while simultaneously pitting users against
each other in competition for the most desirable areas. It was
our goal to encourage cooperation & understanding between groups.
III. Designated Mountain Bike Trail
Existing trails and fireroads can be connected to create a high
quality, attractive mountain bike trail which will be much less
susceptible to erosion and user conflicts than those trails
currently popular with the mountain biking community. This trail
would initially include a loop through the western Fells.
Eventually, loops through the southeastern Fells and the Ramshead
area could also be included. Virginia woods & the section north
of it would not be included. Please see the enclosed map.
Entrances to the designated trail would be clearly marked.
A designated trail meets both goals of the policy. The roads and
trails which we wish to link together were chosen with mountain
bikes in mind, making erosion & trail widening easier to monitor
& control. Also, by designating a trail, hikers will know where
bikers may be encountered.
Once the trail is marked, both the reservoir trail & the skyline
trail will be officially closed to bikers. The reservoir trail
has been deemed inappropriate because of its tendency to erode,
& its proximity to the Winchester water supply. The skyline trail
is a historic trail built in conjunction with the Appalachian
Mountain Club. Efforts were made to ensure that the designated
mountain bike trail would be as attractive to bikers as those
which were (still are?!) previously popular.
IV. Open Use of Fireroads
It is recommended that all fireroads/carriage paths in the Fells
remain open to bikers, unless seasonal conditions warrant other-
wise (see section V). Existing fireroads provide excellent access
to the entire Fells, yet they are less susceptible to erosion, and
they are wide enough to provide safe passage for both bikers and
hikers.
V. Seasonal Use
In certain seasons & conditions, e.g., prolonged wet periods, the
environment is more fragile than in others. We suggest that the
reservation staff inspect the mountain bike trail regularly. The
reservation supervisor can then close the trail, or any fireroads,
on a seasonal basis at his discretion. These closings can then be
posted at all designated entrances to the mountain bike trail.
Signs posted will also say that bikers should anticipate seasonal
closings from early winter to late spring. Finally, we suggest
that an anticipated date of reopening be posted, recognizing that
reopening on that date is subject to the supervisor's discretion.
The committee also recommends that when there is snow on the
ground, the designated cross-country ski trails be officially
closed to bikers, mountain or otherwise.
VI. Mountain Biker Education and Policy Implementation
The successful implementation of this policy depends on the
committment of the mountain bike community. Regional mountain
bike groups, particularly the New England Mountain Bike Assoc.-
NEMBA, have demonstrated their willingness to aid the MDC both
in educating other bikers, & in coordinating biker participation
in MDC trail maintenance projects. Local bike manufacturers and
bicycle shops have also indicated a willingness to donate both
money and products, to help raise funds for trail maintenance &
biker education.
Trail maintenance - The quality of which, in terms of signage,
routing & erosion, is critical to the successful implementation
of this policy. Trail maintenance will be achieved through a
cooperative effort between NEMBA and the MDC. This applies to
both the initial phase of designating the trail, and to its
annual maintenance. The MDC will act in a supervisory role,
setting priorities and standards. They will also be needed to
provide skilled staff for chain and brush saw work, designing
and installing erosion controlling devices, & bridge building.
The mountain biking community will help by raising funds, and
coordinating volunteers.
Communication through signage, maps & brochures - Signs posted
at trail entrances provide bikers with the most immediate source
of information. By posting the Fells mountain bike policy, a map
of the designated trail, and the NORBA code (see enclosure),
there will be no ambiguity about biking in the Fells. The NORBA
code describes trail etiquette and the correct mountain biking
behavior. Signs indicating seasonal closures can also be posted
at these entrances. Brochures/maps will also be used to educate
mountain bikers about the policy.
Mountain biker database - In addition, by posting the address &
phone number of NEMBA, bikers who wish to participate will know
to call to get involved. Their names can be added to the NEMBA
mailing list. This database will provide both a means of commun-
ication with bikers, and a source of information about their
numbers and activities. Newsletters published by NEMBA will be
extremely helpful in disseminating information about seasonal
closures, & in recruiting bikers for trail maintenance projects.
VII. Policy Review
The committee recommends that the policy be reviewed after one
year. If either of the two policy goals, protecting the environ-
ment and protecting the rights of other users, are not adequately
achieved, the policy would have to be re-examined. In addition,
if for any reason, the expressed support of the mountain bike
community does not materialize, a policy review will be
recommended at that time.
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| Let Chip Norton know how you feel!
I believe his address is in the base note...
Believe it or not, I hate the policy, but am willing to do
practically anything to prevent a total prohibition against
mountain biking in the Fells.
I live so darn close to the place, I sometimes pedal there just
to cruise the carriage paths and enjoy the trees (sure he does),
especially when it snows. So...
I would absolutely hate to be banned from the place, even just
to cruise the fireroads. Heck, the cops ride around on horses
all the time! The cops even respond when you talk to them!
Oh well, guess I'll have to rediscover the Lynn Woods. That
place has some decent riding, and it's not controlled by the
MDC! (Metropolitan District Commission for you non-Mass folks)
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| Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Metropolitan District Commission
M. Ilyas Bhatti, Commissioner
20 Somerset Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-5114
Dear Friend,
The MDC is requesting public comment on the use of mountain
bicycles within its woodland reservations. A public meeting is
scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, 1991 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at:
U.S. Transportation Systems Center
Auditorium, Room 1-11, Building #2
55 Broadway, Kendall Square
Cambridge, MA 02142
Individuals and organized groups are welcome to offer no more
than three (3) minutes of testimony, *or* a written statement
which will be entered into the record.
Written statements should be sent to:
MDC Office of Community Affairs, 20 Somerset St., Boston, MA 02108
The Metropolitan District Commission Reservations and Historic
Sites Unit, has concerns regarding the effects that authorized
use of mountain bikes will have on both, the resource and the
experience of other reservation users. These concerns include:
public safety, compatibility with other trail uses, impacts on
rare plant and animal habitats, *erosion*, emergency response,
regulation development and enforcement, trail maintenance,
fees (!), existing management capacities of present staff, and,
the need for a comprehensive use plan.
Your comments relative to these concerns will be appreciated!!!!
If you have any questions regarding this meeting please contact:
Aimee Charlton, Assistant Director Community Affairs
(617) 727-5033
Thank You (Face)
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