I like breaking nice bikes too...

I am a junior in high school in Marin county and I did a persuasive essay on legalizing trails built legally and illegally. Also I was caught by Rangers, old people, clergy members and hikers while building. luckily all resulted in them asking me to leave with my tools. My English teacher is a hiker/ equestrian... i had fierce opposition when presenting. Anyways I used IMBA studies and Personal College thesis' on the effect of the environment, personal stories of people who encountered good and bad hikers and the health benefit of building/riding. On the topic of environment: It was proven in multiple studies that horses cause the most erosion, followed by a tie between hikers and bikers on average. *there are instances where hiker or biker can cause more than the other* So on the issue of erosion, that can be dismissed. Personal Stories: yeah, I'm sure on PB there are a few of those riders who have given a bad name to us. Anyways, groups like IMBA and NICA are helping to educate bikers and young fledgling bikers such as the ones on high school teams on how to be polite to other trail users. Without those we might have a major problem in the future of angrier and more aggrresive land owners and protectors. Finally we all know the benefits of riding bikes on our health... to conclude, my teacher was still highly opposed to me being on public trails... cough cough illegal cough cough. We're in an uphill battle but we need to play their, the land owners, game to get any form of leeway on building.

Im proud to call DHobs my friend. Riley you did a killer job editing!!