Denk Mountain: Carlsbad’s highest mountain for hikers and bikers

Bicycles should not be allowed in any natural area. They are inanimate objects and have no rights. There is also no right to mountain bike. That was settled in federal court in 1996: https://mjvande.info/mtb10.htm . It's dishonest of mountain bikers to say that they don't have access to trails closed to bikes. They have EXACTLY the same access as everyone else -- ON FOOT! Why isn't that good enough for mountain bikers? They are all capable of walking.... A favorite myth of mountain bikers is that mountain biking is no more harmful to wildlife, people, and the environment than hiking, and that science supports that view. Of course, it's not true. To settle the matter once and for all, I read all of the research they cited, and wrote a review of the research on mountain biking impacts (see https://mjvande.info/scb7.htm ). I found that of the seven studies they cited, (1) all were written by mountain bikers, and (2) in every case, the authors misinterpreted their own data, in order to come to the conclusion that they favored. They also studiously avoided mentioning another scientific study (Wisdom et al) which did not favor mountain biking, and came to the opposite conclusions. Mountain bikers also love to build new trails - legally or illegally. Of course, trail-building destroys wildlife habitat - not just in the trail bed, but in a wide swath to both sides of the trail! E.g. grizzlies can hear a human from one mile away, and smell us from 5 miles away. Thus, a 10-mile trail represents 100 square miles of destroyed or degraded habitat, that animals are inhibited from using. Mountain biking, trail building, and trail maintenance all increase the number of people in the park, thereby preventing the animals' full use of their habitat. See https://mjvande.info/scb9.htm for details. Mountain biking accelerates erosion, creates V-shaped ruts, kills small animals and plants on and next to the trail, drives wildlife and other trail users out of the area, and, worst of all, teaches kids that the rough treatment of nature is okay (it's NOT!). What's good about THAT? To see exactly what harm mountain biking does to the land, watch this 5-minute video: http://vimeo.com/48784297. In addition to all of this, it is extremely dangerous: https://mjvande.info/mtb_dangerous.htm . For more information: https://mjvande.info/mtbfaq.htm . The common thread among those who want more recreation in our parks is total ignorance about and disinterest in the wildlife whose homes these parks are. Yes, if humans are the only beings that matter, it is simply a conflict among humans (but even then, allowing bikes on trails harms the MAJORITY of park users -- hikers and equestrians -- who can no longer safely and peacefully enjoy their parks). The parks aren't gymnasiums or racetracks or even human playgrounds. They are WILDLIFE HABITAT, which is precisely why they are attractive to humans.
— March 20, 2019 7:10 p.m.

Mountain-bikers don't want illegal trails either

That's the worst thing that could happen. Mountain bikers don't care about anything but shredding every nature area with their knobby tires. They obviously know nothing about conservation biology.
— January 25, 2018 7:22 p.m.

Mountain-bikers don't want illegal trails either

Tough. That's no reason to prevent it from being habitat again.
— January 25, 2018 7:19 p.m.

Mountain-bikers don't want illegal trails either

Habitat exists to protect the wildlife, NOT to pleasure humans. Recreation should be the absolute minimum necessary. If you want to trash nature, buy some land and do it there - until you get arrested for violating the Endangered Species Act....
— January 24, 2018 4:24 p.m.

Mountain-bikers don't want illegal trails either

It's your obligation to know the law. No, no one makes illegal trails due to lack of legal trails, just as most people don't rob banks just because they don't have enough money. Only CRIMINALS do. Apparently, most mountain bikers are criminals. They belong in jail, not running wild on public land harassing people and wildlife.
— January 24, 2018 4:21 p.m.

Horse, meet Bike. Bike, Horse

The horse evolved in North America, & was probably wiped out by humans. They are wildlife, and have the right to go wherever they want to. Bikes are MACHINES, and have no rights. There is no good reason to allow bikes on trails.
— June 13, 2016 12:16 p.m.

Horse, meet Bike. Bike, Horse

Horses are wildlife. They have the right to go wherever they want to. They were here first.
— March 28, 2016 9:19 p.m.