Do you think biking on national forest land will or can hurt the environment?

Steve Jones's Answer.

	Steve Jones The author of four mountain-biking books, Steve Jones has logged thousands of miles of trails and backroads. Meet Steve Answer Archive Biking Forums

The very first time I ever rode a mountain bike, I rode it in a national forest. I believe our national forests can be put to no better use than to be made into one vast, interconnected mountain bike trail. If this were ever done, our environment would be much improved. Let me explain.

By putting more people on bikes and turning them loose in our national forests, more people would be outside exercising and acquiring an appreciation for our natural world. This would likely result in less consumption of resources known to pollute our world and more awareness and appreciation of our place in it. Not only do I believe mountain biking will not hurt the environment, I also feel mountain biking in our national forests will and can help our environment by encouraging more responsible behavior in regard to improving the health of our natural surroundings, as well as ourselves.

	Do You Agree or Disagree with Steve? Put into words.

Having said this, I know or have seen results from some people having ridden irresponsibly: skidding, riding trails easily damaged when wet, and even littering. But will mountain biking result in the destruction of our national forests? No. More mountain bikes in the national forests will generally result in creating more awareness in people of the need to protect what a treasure our national forests are. What this world needs are more bikes and more places to ride them.