Why can't ATV's ride on mountain bike trails?

[tom b]

here in pennsylvania, they are adding more and more taxpayer funded mountain bike trails and ATV's are fined for riding on these same trails, there are more ATV owners than mountain bike owners in the state and without any ATV's there is nobody using these trails!

[onlyme Mr G]

Good news eh Tom?

You can get on your MTB and ride the trails in peace and quiet, with the added bonus of no ATV's to bully you off the track!

Taxpayers money well spent.

.

[M R]

Well, I seriously doubt there are more ATVs then mountain bikes in PA. But that isn't you question.

There are a couple reasons why trails aren't shared or available:
1. ATVs would tear up MTB trails making it unusable for MTB riding. Most trails are well planned to limit the impact on the land.
2. A lot of these trails are in areas they would not want ATVs in. These trails are many times around, and run through multi use park areas. No one swimming, BBQing, playing ball etc. would want to be near an ATV trail.
3. It would be extremely dangerous to have fast motorized ATVs on a trail with cyclists or runners (In MI some people run the MTB trails).
4. Many parks would consider ATVs contrary to there reason for existence.

Cyclists have lobbied hard for trails and often help build and maintain trails. I do understand you feel you should have more areas to ride. I guess the best solution would be to do what the cyclists did, lob** for it, hound the local and state govt. for access. Offer to help design, build and maintain the trails.

[atctim]

Here in PA - the game commission has millions of acres not used at all in the summer months - but the PAGC hates ATVs and will never let them o nthe land. Same goes for the DCNR who has the ATV authority in PA - they hate us. 300 miles of trails and 400,000 ATV's - make sense?????