Photo from the Trails at Jakes Rocks Facebook page

A radical proposal has been submitted to the U.S. Forest Service aimed at prohibiting all bicycling from non-motorized trails on the Allegheny National Forest with the exception of the Trails at Jakes Rocks, which would be closed to pedestrians.

The proposal from the Friends of Allegheny Wilderness asks the Forest Service to amend the forest plan to “prohibit all bicycling on all non-motorized trails across the forest.”

They point out that their proposed ban would not apply to the Trails at Jakes Rocks.

“The group is asking,” however, “that pedestrian access to that trail be prohibited due to safety concerns,” according to a statement.

FAW’s proposal is based on what they call a “rapidly emerging threat” of e-bikes.

“It is axiomatic that since any of them could be an e-bike at any given time, no mountain bikes at all can be permitted on any of the non-motorized trails in the Allegheny National Forest,” Kirk Johnson, FAW executive director, said.

The proposal received a frosty response from Jim Decker, president/CEO of the Warren County Chamber of Business & Industry, who has overseen much of the Trails at Jakes Rocks Development.

“Mr. Johnson continuously and grossly misrepresents mountain biking in his efforts to cast fear and rally support for his mission to eliminate the sport from public lands,” Decker said. “There is no documented evidence that mountain biking is harmful to the environment as he would like people to believe. His assertions regarding the operation and safety of e-bikes – which are currently not authorized for use on non-motorized trails on the ANF – hold no merit and have no basis in fact.”

Federal officials confirmed that e-bikes are not permitted on non-motorized trails currently.

“We do not allow the use of e-bikes on non-motorized trails and do not believe they are that prevalent,” Christopher Leeser, public affairs officer for the ANF told the Times Observer.

“The Allegheny National Forest is reviewing the petition submitted by the Friends of Allegheny Wilderness,” he explained. “We are committed to balancing the needs of user groups while sustaining the health, diversity, and productivity of the forest.

We endeavor to provide safe, high-quality recreational opportunities that support regional economic development.”

He stressed that as “public servants, we respond professionally and timely to all comments including petitions” but noted that this petition from FAW does not trigger a formal review process.

On the e-bike issue more generally, Decker explained that “the most popular setup is a ‘pedal assist’ system which does nothing when the pedals aren’t turning. No throttle… simply provides power to assist with turning the pedals. Big advantage when climbing, and greatly expands the duration of a ride where there is a lot of climbing required.”

The Times Observer asked both Decker and the ANF if an e-bike can be considered an aid rather than a rocket engine.

Both concurred with that sentiment.

“We believe your general impression about the capabilities of e-bikes to be correct,” Leeser said.

FAW argued that “if the Forest Service fails to take this common-sense action, the liability will be on their hands when, not if, hikers are struck and injured by a careening mountain biker illegally riding an e-bike on a non-motorized trail.”

They also argue that mountain biking in whatever form “jarringly disrupts the tranquil, sacred atmosphere of a non-motorized trail.’

“Friends of Allegheny Wilderness obviously supports mountain biking at Jakes Rocks, where the trails were specifically designed, engineered, and built for that activity,” Johnson said. “But mountain biking, especially with the advent and exploding growth in popularity of electric motorbikes, has no place on any hiking trail anywhere on any tract of public lands in America.”

Decker came out swinging against the idea of making the Trails at Jakes Rocks mountain bike only and the ANF said it’s not aware of any mountain biking-only trails on any other national forest.

“I absolutely object to the suggestion that TAJR be restricted to walkers, hikers and trail runners,” he said. “All of these groups coexist throughout the system with no reports of negative interaction whatsoever. I personally enjoy hiking the trails almost as much as riding them.”

Decker explained that the trails were designed as “mountain bike optimized” but said that “throughout the planning, design and construction phases the system has managed as a multi-use trail system open to all. The only exclusions to this system are motorized vehicles and equestrian use.

“The system has enjoyed significant usage by walkers, including many family groups utilizing the ‘green loop’ which provides a relatively flat 4 mile loop trail from the Jakes picnic area parking lot. More adventurous hikers and trail runners routinely utilize the more challenging trails within the system. All of this usage has occurred without a single report of negative interaction or injury being sustained due to conflicts with the mountain bikers utilizing the system. There is frankly an attitude of mutual respect between these user groups.”

Decker said that the suggestion of banning foot traffic “out of fear that individuals will be injured by mountain bikers speeding along the trails on racing machines propelled at speeds beyond the capability of the rider to control is simply absurd and has no place in the discussion of managing and expanding the opportunities available for healthy and fulfilling outdoor recreational activities throughout the ANF.”

“At this time,” Leeser added, “we do not have plans to prohibit hiking on the trails or to the overlooks at Jakes Rocks.”