National Parks may ease bike rules

WASHINGTON -- The Interior Department issued a proposed rule this week that would make it easier for mountain bikers and other cyclists to traverse the back country of national parks.

Environmentalists decried the rule, now subject to a 60-day comment period, saying it would spark conflicts between cyclists, who can travel at high speeds, and other visitors, such as hikers and horse riders.

The National Park Service now is required, before making such changes, to go through a rule-making process that factors in environmental considerations and the competing needs of visitors. The change would give park superintendents greater discretion in allowing bikers in by waiving the formal rule-making requirement.

Mark Eller, spokesman for the International Mountain Bicycling Association, hailed the change. He noted 20 national parks allow biking on narrow trails and 20 allow it on dirt roads, but these parks are "technically out of compliance."

"We've worked with the Park Service to try to develop the language, and we've been pleased to see that much of what we've proposed has been included," Eller said.