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OSBT Votes to Allow Minimal Bike Access in West TSA
 Last night, the City of Boulder acknowledged that mountain bikers are an important part of this city and an important part of the West Trail Study Area (West TSA). The citizens who selflessly and patiently serve on the Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) passed the final West TSA plan, and allowed room for some bike access. At the high level view, this is great news! But, when you get into the details of the OSBT votes, the result was a mixed bag for mountain bike access:
- Recommended the Eldorado to Walker multi-use connector, and directed staff to make it a reality! ... but this trail may require private property purchases
- Recommended a multi-use trail on Chapman Drive ... but a trail may require private property purchases
- Recommended further study on mountain bike access on Anemone Hill
- Voted against a north-south connector
Read more here to get the details and BMA's analysis of what each vote means. Last night shows there is work left to be done. Stay tuned for more information about how you can help the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance. We have one more chance to set things on an even better path - the City Council meeting on Tuesday March 15 at Boulder High School. Put this meeting on your calendar now! This will be the final moment for you to come out and make a difference. |
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BMA Remains Committed to Helping Build and Maintain Trails
With new access comes new responsibility. E veryone pro- and anti- bike agrees - the devil is in the details. Those details will involve putting trails on the ground in a way that enhances the West TSA for current and future generations.
We can do it! BMA will continue to demand sustainable and conflict-minimizing trail designs for any mountain bike access. BMA stands ready to partner with OSMP to design, build, and maintain trails, and mountain bikers stand ready to put sweat equity into taking care of our recreation resources. We are part of this community, and we will care for our community.
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The Dirty Bismark is Open!
After years of stops and starts, BMA is happy to report that the last link of the Dirty Bismarck Loop is done - no more riding on busy roads! We got the word from Boulder County Parks and Open Space that the newly-constructed trail (yet to be named) between the Mayhoffer-Singletree and Coalton Trails is now open, and you no longer have to risk your life riding McCaslin Drive. We can look forward to more formal opening ceremony later in the spring. We thank Boulder County Parks and Open Space, Boulder County Transportation Department, and City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks for making this loop a reality. In the meantime, let's get this route GPS'ed, mapped, and on the BMA Trails page! |
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Boulder Shows Progress!
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One great thing that came out of last night: all the Trustees emphasized that mountain bikes are an appropriate use of open space and acknowledged that mountain bikers have rights to open space access. Even though this is a restatement of fact from the Visitor Master Plan, hearing it said out loud signifies an important mental shift for the community.
Listen to this awesome testimony from OSBT chairman Bill Briggs for some proof positive. Sitting in the audience last night kind of sucked until Bill spoke up and supported mountain bikers. Take a listen and take heart.
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Next Step:
City Council
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The final decision on mountain bikes in the West TSA falls to our elected leaders on Council, and they will need to hear from you, the mountain bike community. Plan to be there!
March 15, 2011 City Council Hearing on West TSA @ Boulder High School
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No new riding in the West TSA ...
yet
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You're probably thinking "Chapman Drive? Sweet, I'm there!" Hold your horses, partner.
The "yes" and "no" votes by OSBT are recommendations to City Council and are not yet law. This means no riding on Chapman Drive or Anemone Hill quite yet. Thanks for sticking to the rules as we move into the home stretch!
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