An important message from MO Bike Fed

*Please read and spread the word on this important issue that effects all Missouri trail users -z

A bad trails bill is working its way through the Missouri house and is about to pass--unless we speak up.

This bill will come to a vote of the full House of Representatives within the next few days--so it's very important you email or call your representative now.

Short message: "Please oppose HB 250. It is poorly worded, will discourage trails from being built, and favors equestrians at the expense of other trail and public land users."

Look up your Missouri (state) House member here:

http://action.voiceshub.org/mokidsaction/leg-lookup/search.tcl

THE DETAILS
Horse owners want more access to trails and public land across the state--a cause we sympathize with!

However the way they have written this bill it is just bad, bad, bad.

Points you can make:

1. HB 250 is poorly thought out, ambiguously worded, will have unintended consequences, and will lead to lawsuits over trails and access. All this will discourage the building of new trails.

2. Equestrian groups are claiming the bill will give them complete access to the Katy Trail. Bicycling, hiking, and equestrians can work well together in some areas, but where there is high use, there is just too much conflict. And you know how badly horse hooves damage the Katy Trail surface for bicycling! Sometimes different users simply are not compatible--and land managers should have the flexibility to work out solutions in those situations. Whether equestrians can coexist with other trail users depends on use, trail surface, and a hundred other variables.
HB 250 takes away needed flexibility and just says, "Equestrians will be allowed everywhere."

3. The bill favors equestrians over other trail users--even though equestrians are the smallest group of trail users (there are fewer equestrians than either hikers or mountain bikers).

4. The bill will make it illegal to implement simple trail management options like creating separate trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. Once equestrians are allowed, they have to be allowed forever--with only very, very narrow exceptions.

5. The bill doesn't allow closing or moving equestrian trails for sound land management reasons like erosion problems, destruction of habitat, or conflicting land uses. Equestrian use always takes precedence over all other uses and users.

6. The bill short circuits commonsense local policies for creating and managing trails and trail users.

7. The bill will have the unintended consequence of discouraging new equestrian access on public lands or trails--because once the equestrian access has been given, it can't be revoked even for very sensible reasons.

8. All major mountain biking organizations in Missouri oppose HB 250.

Again, we would like to encourage development of trails for all users, including equestrians. But encouraging development of trails has to be done in a sensible way, not in a heavy-handed, ill-thought-out, and forced way.

The bill's online page:

http://house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills091/bills/hb250.htm

Full bill text:

Section A. Chapter 8, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 8.890, to read as follows:

8.890. No individual shall be denied access to any public land owned, managed, or funded by the state of Missouri for the purpose of riding horses or mules, when such individual has the lawful authority to use the public land. Such access also shall not be denied to trails and roads that are currently in use by the state as land upon which horses or mules are ridden, except that access can be denied where conditions are not suitable because of public safety concerns, necessary maintenance, or for reasons related to the missions of the department of conservation or the department of natural resources so long as a written statement is posted at the trailhead stating the cause and estimated duration of the closure.
Nothing in this section shall cause horses or mules to be excluded from inclusion in the development of new trails on Missouri public lands.

Thank you!

--Brent
director@Mobikefed.org

2008 Bike Week events

Bike Week 2008 is off to a great start with nearly 1000 participants registered for the Car Free Challenge--close to double last year's participation--and over 60 events planned.
The Car-Free Challenge also includes walking, running, carpooling, and transit.
And for those of you who can only commute by car, The Car-Free Challenge includes any trip where you substitute biking, walking, carpooling or transit for a single person car trip such as going to church, running errands, going to the movies, etc.
Prizes are given away every day.
We'd still like to break 1000 participants for 2008--and you can still sign up here:http://kcbike.info/bikeweek/challenge.php

Bike Week and the Commuter Convoy got some great coverage Monday on KSHB-41:
http://tinyurl.com/4uqewu

There are some great photos of the events so far, the Friz(bee) game in
Mill Creek Park, and some of our participating bicycle commuters at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/kcbikeweek2008/

WEEKEND
Saturday was a Group Breakfast Ride from Biscari Brothers in Liberty,
a ride with the Blue River Bicycle Club in Johnson County, and Urban
Bike Safety Clinic organized by the Sierra Club and a Bike Rodeo at
Spirit of Mission Days. Saturday and Sunday were "Bike to your place
of worship or to do your errands" days.

MONDAY
Monday had more great events, with the Family Bikes Rest Stop on the
Trolley Track Trail, a class at Epic Bike, group rides in
Leavenworth, the Wheel Cyclery in the Northland, the Trek Store in
Shawnee, and Overland Park (sponsored by localcycling.com), Urban
Rides from Midwest Cyclery and River Market Cyclery, and a red-hot
game of FRIZ (ultimate frisbee on bicycles) at Mill Creek Park on the Plaza.

TUESDAY
Up Tuesday are:
- Leavenworth Bike to Work Day
- Family Bike's Rest Stop on the Trolley Track Trail for bike commuters,
- Group Ride at Epic Bike in Platte County
- Rendezvous at McCoy's Public House in Midtown
- Tuesday Crits Training Race in Lenexa
- Bike to the Movies - Triplets of Belleville - at the Downtown Library.

WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, Mayor Mark Funkhauser will announce KCMO's vision to to
become a "Platinum" designated Bicycle Friendly Community. Press
Conference at Ilus Davis Park, 10AM.
ALL THE DETAILS
You can find time, location, and other details about all 60+ Bike
Week events at
http://kcbike.info/bikeweek/
REGISTER
It's not too late to register for the Car Free Challenge.
Go to www.kcbike.info and start logging those non-car trips.
Remember you get credit for trips to the library, dinner, bank, post office,
movies, etc.
Leave the car parked!
Ride more!
Walk more!
Take the bus!
Safe commutes!
--Brent
director@mobikefed.org

Bike Week 2008 is sponsored by Kansas City, Missouri, the Mid-America
Regional Council, the Missouri Bicycle Federation, and a legion of
local businesses, clubs, and organizations.
------------------------------------------------------------
The Missouri Bicycle Federation is a coalition of bicycling, walking,
running, and trails organizations representing over 15,000
Missourians and speaking for the 2 million Missourians who bicycle
regularly and the 5.8 million who walk.
The Missouri Bicycle Federation is working to realize its vision of
active transportation in Missouri by creating a world-class bicycle
and pedestrian network in Missouri, building a movement around
walking and bicycling, encouraging more walking and bicycling, and
increasing safety for all road users.
www.MoBikeFed.org/vision
====================================================
Dr. Brent Hugh, LCI #1335 Director@MoBikeFed.org
Executive Director --- Missouri Bicycle Federation
www.MoBikeFed.org 816-695-6736

Wednesday support Funkhouser

Please Join Mayor Mark Funkhouser
Wednesday, May 14th
10:00 AMIllus Davis Park - Freedom of Speech Circle
near Locust Street between 9th/10th Streets
RAIN LOCATION - will be at the Power and Light District
Mayor Mark Funkhouser will announce the vision for KC to become a "Platinum" designated Bicycle Friendly Community.
Please ride your bike to this event and support the Mayor's plan for Kansas City to become a biking destination.
Ridgway, MSW
Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator
Public Works Department
23rd Floor, City Hall
414 East 12th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
(816)513-2592 direct
(816)335-5997 mobile

Well damnit. Will it ever be dry?

<<>>

04.11.2008
KANSAS CITY, MO.
Crank 'n' Cruise POSTPONED
http://www.heartlandrace.com

Racing friends and loyal supporters of HSP:

Do to the current and projected weather conditions at Crowder State Park, the Crank-N-Cruise Mountain Bike Race that was scheduled for Sunday, April 13th has been POSTPONED…More details forthcoming. I'm sure you were probably expecting this message. I know you are frustrated, as are we.

The winter from "Hades" has continued to rear its ugly head into the spring racing season. Crowder State Park has received over an inch of rain on Tuesday, a quarter of an inch last night, and it has rained all day today. The extended forecast is calling for possible rain and below average temperatures. There is even a chance for snow flurries Friday night. The Thompson River is currently rising and Grundy County is under a flood alert. With all these contributing factors

We have already stated our reasoning for not supporting "Rain or Shine" races in past posts. I've stated my personal view points on "Pappy's Place" but I'll give you the short version anyway:

We choose to look at the "Big Picture" and the impact our decisions will make in the long run, not for immediate gratification. Racing in the mud is not fun and is detrimental to the ecology of the trail systems we utilize for our race venues.

We are not willing to compromise our trails or cobble together an alternative "short option" that would simply satisfy the requirements of "calling it a race." We have some of the best trails in north Missouri. That is why we host a race. We want to showcase our wonderful trails. We would rather wait until the conditions improve and we can offer a better racing experience. We, Heartland Sport Promotions [HSP], have very high standards and expectations for our events. We strive for the best and that is what racers have come to expect when they participate in our events.

The decision to cancel or reschedule a race is not totally ours to make. We are utilizing public lands and have a land manager that has jurisdiction in making the final decision as to whether an event will proceed or be cancelled. At Crowder State Park that decision is based on environmental impact, public safety, and following the established policies concerning inclement weather and trail closures.

Please continue to monitor the Heartland web page for updated information on the 2008 race schedule. We are looking at possible options for rescheduling events.
I hope you will continue to support our efforts to provide the racing community with quality events. We love to ride bikes and share trails just like you do!

Doug "Pappy" Long


About Heartland Sports Promotions:
Heartland Sports Promotions [HSP] is a volunteer based 501(c)4, not-for-profit corporation with a mission to make the Kansas City region a better place to live, work, ride and run through:

PROMOTING events appealing to all levels of skill and experience
SUPPORTING forums on outdoor safety and education
VOLUNTEERING time for trail-development and maintenance
INVESTING in the growth of KC's active community and culture
DONATING a % of our net income to charities and organizations with similar values

Speaking of the Spring Sale...

I just put in to stock Friday!
The new IMBA / BikeSource trail advocacy jersey!
We currently have Medium, Large, XL and XXL versions in stock.
These run slightly small so be sure to try them on before buying
We plan to do a second run based of sales and interest - the second run will include different sizes and women's specific sizes based off requests.
While you are checking out these jerseys don't forget to browse the store for other great deals during our annual spring sale going on now through April 13th!