It was not SOS Boulder's (link1, link2)mean-spirited rhetoric that killed cycling as a consensus item in the West TSA; it was the conservation caucus. We feared this group was intractable when representatives were chosen a year ago.

Yet, BMA trusted the CCG process, held hope of consensus, and respectfully worked entirely within the process toward concurrently realizing both conservation and recreation goals. (BMA even reduced its ask from equitable access down to a mere connector trail so mountain bicyclists could start their Open Space experience from home.) Unfortunately, even after a year of collaboration and discussion, this small group refused any possible option to allow cyclists.

The mountain biking representative, Mark MacIntyre, deserves a medal for perseverance and grace under pressure. We are also thankful for support from the representatives of hiking, climbing, dogs, running, equestrians and adjacent neighborhoods.

What are WTSA and CCG? Click here to see more.

While this is a disappointment for the community and for OSMP, who designed this process to help bridge Boulder's growing, unecessary rift between conservation and recreation, the plight for reasonable bicycle access is not over.

So what's next?

Now this topic gets political. Now it's time to ask for what we really want. Now BMA must bring the discussion directly to OSMP staff, the Open Space Board of Trustees, the City Council, and the general public.

We're starting a step behind since the anti-bike exclusionists have been circumventing the agreed-upon process for the last year. Fortunately, BMA is poised with strong political relationships, connections to the media, a $500,000 stewardship history, vastly positive points about cycling.

It's never been more important to be a member of BMA. When the President of BMA speaks to decision makers-especially if those in elected office-BMA's number of active members has a dramatic impact.