Critic of mountain biking simply repeats falsehoods

Dear Editor:

This is in response to Victor C. Capelli’s April 5 letter, “Mountain bikers harm ecosystems in preserves.”

The writer’s gross mischaracterization of mountain biking is simply astounding. The environmental impacts specifically cited as being caused by mountain biking are nothing more than decades-old wives’ tales and unsubstantiated finger-pointing that the sport has dealt with since its rise in popularity in the early to mid-1990s.

The reason mountain biking is allowed by local land conservancies, not-for-profits, private preserves and the state Department of Environmental Conservation is because organized mountain bike groups and volunteers have proven to be exceptional stewards for the land, the resources and the trails thereon.

Additionally, public enjoyment and health are often aspects of a public-private organization’s mission statement, the state DEC being no exception. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection only allows fishing, boating, hunting and hiking on its upstate reservoir lands.

During the past year, mountain bike opportunities in the Kingston area and Catskill Park area have continued to grow due to these aforementioned volunteer efforts and proven partnerships with land managers and private property owners.

Conversely, almost every hiking trail and day-use area is at full capacity and impacted by overuse; our state parks are overrun with trash; a day-use permit system had to be put in place at the Blue Hole swimming area in Denning; and the Route 23A corridor to Kaaterskill Falls in Greene County was pure chaos during the summer of 2020.

Kevin Young

Kingston

The writer is president of the Fats in the Cats mountain bicycle club.