On yesterday's Weekend Edition, National Public Radio (NPR) did a piece on the changing perceptions of mountain bikers. The story acknowledges that at one point mountain bikers were seen by most trail users as analogous to motor bike riders, but now are more closely aligned with hikers and kayakers. This is in large part due to the shift in tactics regarding advocacy led by IMBA.
Through collaboration and partnership with other non-motorized trail user groups, IMBA has transformed the view that mountain bikers are a menace to mountain bikers as advocates. The NPR piece also alludes to the mounting and overwhelming body of evidence that the impact of mountain biking on dirt trails is less than that of all other trail user groups.
The NPR story ends with a quote from Pete Webber of IMBA, "be nice to the people that you meet on the trail." It's as simple as that. I always follow the advice of my grandmother who always says that it never hurts to say "hello" to someone. I'll add two more things to the list when it comes to trail diplomacy. Always say hi, offer assistance when it's needed, and thank those that yield to you.
The NPR story is less than five minutes in length and is well worth a listen.
