Moronacity Cycling Journal » Advocacy
Mountain Bikers Are Safe as Vandeman Sits in Jail
Michael Vandeman, 67, assaulted a mountain biker with a handsaw on a University of California-Berkeley fire road on April 18, 2010. Vandeman is a radical environmentalist who believes that forests should be closed off to humans, especially mountain bikers. He cites studies that “prove” that mountain bikers damage the environment, and ignores studies that show that mountain bikers have no more of an impact than hikers, and that hikers often have more of an impact on the surrounding environment because they are more likely to leave the trail. To gain an understanding of Mr. Vandeman, check out his websites: Wildlife Need Habitat Off-Limits to Humans A pictorial overview of “Wildlife Need Habitat Off-Limits to Humans.” Mike Vandeman’s Environmental Letters, Articles, and Book Reviews According to Henry K. Lee’s article for the San Francisco … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Marquette South Trails for Sale?
The City of Marquette is holding a public meeting tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. at Lakeview Arena to discuss the future of the Heartwood Forestland that contains the Marquette South Trails. The city is considering zoning parcels of land within the forest for development in an effort to increase Marquette’s tax base. Read more at my Examiner.com page: Marquette considering closing parts of the Marquette South Trails for development. And now the part you all … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
2010 Ride of Silence
I was quite proud of myself. Not only did I remember to pack my camera, but I remembered to charge the battery and actually place the charged battery back in the camera! My mom, brother, and I headed to MSU Bikes in East Lansing to take part in yesterday’s Ride of Silence. It was the first time my brother and mom participated in one of these rides. I did two in Houghton … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
State Park Funding Update…or Is It?
The family and I drove out to Sleepy Hollow State Park in Laingsburg for a level of road riding that is just a notch above what I have near my Lower Michigan home. Well, I went there for the better road riding. They went there for low-traffic paved surfaces. Dad had to purchase his $24 state park sticker with today’s entrance. As he made his transaction at the park office, I grabbed a yellow piece of paper titled, “Recreation Passport Replaces State Park Sticker – Fact Sheet.” If you read this blog, chances are that you’ve read the MMBA Advocacy Forum threads pertaining to this funding change, or you’ve read one of the several articles I’ve posted on this blog with details or calls … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
MMBA Annual Meeting and Expo – A Photo Essay
I apologize for the really bad quality of these photos. I was using a borrowed camera that I do not feel is very good, and it was horrible in the type of lighting we had at the expo. At least we have the memory. Six-time Leadville 100 winner Dave Wiens and me. Dave Wiens talking to the crowd at the 2010 MMBA Annual Meeting and Expo. Dave spoke about his cycling life as well as his … Read entire article »
Filed under: MMBA, Photo Essays
Recreation Passport Senate Bills 388 & 389 Heading to Governor
Word has it that the Senate Bills 388 & 389 have passed the House of Representatives and are now going to the governor to be signed. Governor Granholm has expressed her support of these bills, in the past. Check here to follow the progress of the bills. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
House Speaker Andy Dillon Holds Up Recreation Passport Fee Legislation
This is a long post. Please bear with me as it is packed full of interesting information as well as letters to our legislators. The State Park, Boating Access Site and Forest Recreation Passport Fee tie-barred, Senate Bills 388 and 389 passed in the Michigan Senate and went back to the Michigan House of Representatives for the second reading on December 3, 2009. If the Senate bills are passed, Michigan drivers have the option of paying a $10 fee at the time of their annual vehicle registrations for entrance into Michigan’s state parks. This replaces the annual sticker that is currently in use. The bill seems to have enough support to pass, but House Speaker Andy Dillon has created a roadblock. Rumor has it that Dillon desires to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
DNR/DEQ Public Participation Survey
The following is regarding a survey that takes a few minutes to fill out. Dear EAC members: Public involvement is a vital part of many programs administers by the Departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Environmental Quality (DEQ). A successful public involvement process ensures that those who are most likely affected by a decision are notified, understand the proposed decision, and have an opportunity to provide meaningful input prior to a DNR or DEQ action. Staff from the DNR and DEQ has put together a survey to better understand how the public participation process is currently working and where improvements can be made. Please take a moment to answer a short survey on public participation. Please only respond to the survey once and share the link with others who … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Complaining About the MMBA
The MMBA recently asked all trail coordinators to remove teeter totters from the trails for insurance reasons. This is a nationwide issue. The MMBA Freeride Forum was full of users who were up in arms over this. After 13 pages of complaining and hating the MMBA, I wrote the following. It is clear to me than many of you have no idea how the MMBA works. That’s okay. I didn’t know how it worked until I became a board member. The state board works on larger tasks such as: Finding recently-introduced legislation that can be harmful to our sport. This can include legislation that allows horses on all trails, legislation that bans us from all public trails, and everything in between. Working with IMBA to find and pay for a … Read entire article »
Filed under: MMBA
Important Changes in Voting for MMBA State Board At-Large Members
Some important changes regarding the timing and process of voting for the State Board At-Large Members are now in effect. The following is a guide to familiarize you with the new changes and to tell you how you can update your information with the MMBA. Topics Covered in this Article • Nominations Are Being Accepted until December 12 • New Electronic Voting • New Two-Year Terms for State Board At-Large Members • Annual Meeting and Introduction of the State Board • Update Your Information with the MMBA Nominations Are Being Accepted until December 12 Nominations for the State Board At-Large Members are now being accepted. You can request to be placed on the ballot by submitting a “Bio” with the following information to the nomination committee at simse@ntcna.nissan-usa.com. • Applicant’s history and accomplishments with the MMBA. • … Read entire article »
Filed under: MMBA
