“Bikes + Parks = Connection”



Straight from the National Park Newsletter, the NPS is giving huge props to bicycle use in the parks:

“The goal of bicycling in national parks is not extreme speed or thrills, but quiet, nonpolluting transportation and a deeper visitor experience.  For visitors seeking the sense of freedom, energy, and healthfulness that the national parks embody, two wheels can be just the right speed.”

“Super fat-tired bikes can cross the snowy winter landscapes of Alaska with surprising speed and agility — faster, in many cases, than a dogsled.  But Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, where 30 miles of Cook Inlet coastline need to be periodically patrolled and inspected, rangers have found that “snow bikes” also work remarkably well on wet sand.  Now park staff do the job without burning fossil fuel or making noise. “

However, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park both deny access of snow bicycles during winter months (even on groomed trails), yet allow loud snow machines to take off. Hopefully this is a sign of the tides changing and riding a snow bike under the Tetons will be a reality soon.

Full article here.