 Mountain biker on the Loyalsock Trail. After receiving a request from the Alpine Club of Williamsport, KTA Executive Director Joe Neville sent an email to the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA). Based on correspondence (see below) the club is having issues with potential mountain bike usage of the Loyalsock Trail. KTA’s email: Good Morning Anthony, I'm not sure if you're still the IMBA representative for Pennsylvania, but I thought since we've communicated in the past, I'd start with you. One of our clubs, the Alpine Club of Williamsport, has been having some difficulty with an issue involving mountain bikes and the Loyalsock Trail. See attachments. As you know, DCNR does not permit bikes on "designated hiking trails" which would include the Loyalsock trail. I would respectfully ask that IMBA intercede if possible in this issue to reduce any potential animosity or conflict between Pennsylvania's hikers and bikers. There are plenty of areas in our state to accommodate all of the multiple forms of recreation we enjoy. Thank you for your assistance. A quick Google search of "Mountain bikes Loyalsock Trail" resulted in this article, demonstrating this issue. The club's correspondence:  
4 Comments
Ernest Yeagley
4/1/2018 10:30:37 am
Dear KTA: After reading the article about mountain bikes on the Loyalsock trail, I could not help but write in the comment section of the Mountain Bike Diaries about this issue. Here is what I wrote. "It is important for your readers and by those of you who bike the Loyalsock Trail in Pennsylvania to know that bikes of any form are prohibited on trails that are designated state forest hiking trails, a directive issued by the Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry. Anyone violating this directive if caught, could be faced with warnings or fines. Mountain bikes on hiking trails promote erosion damage and disrupt the physical properties and integrity of the trail designed and built only for use as a foot path. Mountain bikes also pose a safety hazard to hikers on a trail that is only wide enough to hike, for there is no room to pass on such trails. The DCNR Bureau of Forestry and forest officials where the trail runs have been made aware of this violation and might be vigilant for those who violate this policy. Thank you for your attention in this matter." Fellow hikers, it is imperative to voice opposition in a respectful and polite manner to bikers you encounter on trails where prohibitions exist, and to inform KTA when and where a biker has been encountered. I am in full support of the Alpine Club on this issue as well as all of us should. It is of my own opinion based on my own trail experiences of many years, that most mountain bikers (other than those who are families and are not on a "mission") seem to take the attitude that they feel they "own" the trails where we hike (especially rail trails where they can ride) often fail to be courteous in sounding warning before passing us and expect us to get out of their way.
M. Frankland
4/1/2018 10:53:23 am
Last autumn I was taking in the view on the back side of Hemlock Mt. while hiking the Black Forest Trail. While I was enjoying my surroundings, along came a whole committee of mountain bike enthusiasts who were discussing how to make the BFT more rideable... more mountain bike friendly. I interrupted and informed them the BFT is a state forest hiking trail open to foot traffic only. They were not receptive.
Kirk Johnson
4/4/2018 07:46:19 am
Thank you Keystone Trails Association! It is further important to remember that because stealth motorized mountain bikes -- "e-bikes" -- cannot be distinguished from traditional human-powered mountain bikes, it necessarily follows that no mountain bikes at all can be permitted anywhere on any non-motorized hiking trail. Any one of them could be a dangerous e-bike at any given time.
Julie Nelson
4/22/2018 06:53:59 am
I must take exception to these comments that paint mountain bikers as aggressive and rude to hikers... I have recently purchased a Mt. bike and for the last 3 yrs. have enjoyed getting off the road and into the forest...At 61 yrs of age hiking has become harder on my hips so biking has become a great alternative... I haven't had any bad experiences on the trails and wonder why we can't co-exist.. I look forward to more multi purpose trails.. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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