People riding bicycles on Wyoming state trails might have to start paying permit fees, much like what ATV and dirt bike riders do.
The Legislature’s joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee on Tuesday passed a draft bill calling for annual bicycle permit fees of $10 for residents and $20 for nonresidents on state trails. That would be in addition to any daily park use fees.
Cyclists could also pay a $5 daily fee to ride on state trails, or trails adjacent to Wyoming state parks.
The money raised through fees would go back into trail building and maintenance. Advocates say that is sorely needed to keep up with ever-growing demand from mountain bikers – residents and tourists alike.
Avid mountain biker Jesse Rezin of Jackson told Cowboy State Daily that he doesn’t mind paying a fee, so long as the money goes back into trail building and maintenance.
As he sees it, the lingering possibility of public lands being sold off is a bigger concern than paying trail fees.
Rezin added that he’s put in countless hours of volunteer work on bike trails.
“I guess if it (the fee money) goes back into maintenance, it is what it is,” he said.
Demand For Trails Is Huge
Michael Kusiek, executive director of Wyoming Pathways, spoke in favor of the bill before the committee.
The demand for hiking and biking trails in Wyoming and across the West is huge and growing rapidly, with no end in sight, he said.
Trail systems are “by far, the No. 1 amenity people are looking for” when deciding where to move to or spend their vacations, he said.
And mountain bikers have already shown a willingness to spend money on their sport — each spending and average of roughly $180 per day in the communities they visit while riding, Kusiek said.
Rezin said he’s also willing to pay a fee for the right riding adventure. He told Cowboy State Daily that he pays $350 for a season pass to ride trails at Grand Targhee Ski resort during the snow-free months.
That pass price also covers chairlift fees for him and his bike, he said.
Opportunity Knocking
Dave Glenn, director of Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources, told the committee that Wyoming is poised to hit it big with mountain biking and other outdoor recreation.
I think we are uniquely situated to stay out in front of the wave of outdoor recreation,” he said.
Charging cyclists a modest fee will help the state get ahead growing demand for trails, he said.
Money raised from bicycle permit fees could also be used to match federal grants, bringing in even more money to build and improve trails, according to State Parks and Cultural Resources.
Rezin said that mountain bikers that get so much out of the sport should be willing to put something back in.
Either through fees, or the way he’s done it, volunteer trail work.
“I’ve put in a lot of time, and tools. And in many cases, a beer,” he said.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
