hmmmm, i appreciate environmental issues.....the world is indeed in grave danger.
Would you conclude that mountain biking should be banned all together? I don't think you have done a
fair evaluation of mountain biking and here is why:
1) Mountain biking itself is not the main contributor to environmental damage, reckless rider are.
2) Responsible riders will ride on pre-existing trials, such as horse trails, cross-country ski
trails etc. I personally don't ever get on my bike and simply plow into the bush and blaze new
trails and I don't think many of us do.
3) To have a swimming pool you have to create a special purpose building which consumes enormous
amounts of energy to heat, chemicals to treat the water etc, transportation to get to the pool
every day. Or running events that require a track that replaces natural areas...and the list goes
on. The great thing about mountain biking is that it gives us an oportunity to enjoy the
intrinsic value of nature which is important for without the enjoyment of wilderness there is one
less motivation to want to protect it. One of the ways to teach childrean about the value of
nature is to show it to them so they can appreciate it's beauty. With my MTB I usually don't have
to drive anywhere and I don't need a special facility (resource hog) to do it.
4) With all the highways, urban development, polution etc you pick on MTB'ing. Ok so just because
there are other bad things in this world doesn't make something else bad OK but it perplexes me
why you would single out MTB'ing among all other sports, including those that don't allow us to
enjoy wilderness (undeniably important) and require special facilities all over the world (bad
for the environment) such as hockey rinks (major CFC emissions).
5) The world may not have as much forest as Canada but don't tell me we don't have room for mountain
biking. Personally I consider it far more important to use less paper and choose to live in the
city instead of sprawling into newly developed areas.
I suppose my point is....yes at some level and because of some radical people, MTB'ing will hurt the
environment but please don't use it as an example sport which overshadows far greater concerns. As
you pointed out, the Olympics itself is one big environmental problem with people flying in from all
over the world, facilities being built, etc. In the end I don't think it will do the world any good
to be in their basement running on treadmills made from recycled egg shells. MTB'ing has a place in
the olympics and in my opinion (all things considered) does not harm the environment any more than
the average sport. May I also point out that the sport of MTB'ing has promoted environmental
stewardardship more than any indoor sport.
-- Neil Grover