MTB'ers on the Trails= Legal

[HardwaterHoosier]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LorRn9NHfiI

Fat Bikes, Snow Bikes... what ever you want to call them, are increasing in popularity fast. I'm looking at a few right now. Most guys have good common sense, but there are going to be the select few that decide to do the stupid, and take a trail ride down 8 or 3... possibly at night. Yes, more guys ride in 15* weather at night than you think! The Western UP, Marquette, and a few areas in WI are hot spots for mountain bikers and considered to be "Epic Trails" by IMBA. -When you label ares "Epic" they will come.

Are any of the local snowmobile clubs in these ares working with the MTB clubs or the DNR on this yet?
My thoughts are, the sooner the better. The last thing I want to do is come up on a bike with a 2x2 reflector running 65 at night.

 

[HIGHLANDER]

silly hipsters

 

[HardwaterHoosier]

silly hipsters

Kind of laughed, but you got the wrong idea of who's really going to show up some day and shut trail 8 down for a 60 mile XC race on a holiday weekend.
There are no doubt hipsters with bikes hanging off their prius. I kind of put some of them in the same category as the standup mohawk sledders.

 

[polarisrider1]

Keeping Wheeled Vehicles Off Our Trails
MSA would like to see something in the Snowmobile Law to keep unwanted wheeled vehicles off the marked groomed snowmobile trails. The snowmobile program spends millions each year of the snowmobile fees to keep the snowmobile trails smooth and safe for snowmobile use in the winter. Many of these trails are on forest roads, seasonal roads, and private property trails. With the advent of ATVs, UTVs, (side-by-side vehicles) jeeps, mudders, fat tire bicycles, you name it and they are on the trails. Some do extensive damage to the groomed surface endangering snowmobilers with sudden rutted trails. Another surprise to us also endangering our wellbeing is the new fad, fat tire cycling. (The instinctive part of driving will have us avoid the truck, ATV, bicycle, and go off the trail)
The proposed new section would read:
State sponsored groomed snowmobile trails are for snowmobile use only between Dec. 1 and April 1. All other vehicles are banned except emergency vehicles and designated maintenance vehicles. Violators would be subject to yet to be determined fines.
MSA is also proposing that all fines throughout the Snowmobile Law be looked at and increased where needed. We are seeking misdemeanor and civil infractions with the law be defined and outlined specifically.
Finally, MSA is currently studying a new Wisconsin law that will go into effect during their 2015-16 snowmobile season. We are looking at the viability of getting a similar law approved in Michigan. Essentially the law states that everyone riding the snowmobile trails in that state must have a trail permit. The cost of a trail permit is reduced to those snowmobilers who are members of the state snowmobile association. New Hampshire, New York and Vermont have similar laws.
We are only at the fact-finding stage at this point. Look to future issues of the Michigan Snowmobile News for further details.

- - - Updated - - -

MSA members get this info and way more each month. Join now! Save our trails from all those who want us out of the woods. www.msasnow.org

 

[snobuilder]

UHHH, ...YEA...AMEN...Time to quit throwing each other under the bus.

 

[bearrassler]

This was discussed last April at the MNUSA Region 1 spring meeting, the DNR in MN sees this as a big problem, they are working on it but do not have an answer yet, if they want to hold a race (that has happened on our trail in East Grand Forks, and also the trail in Grand Forks, ND) they have to get a special use permit and the DNR works with the local clubs.

 

[polarisrider1]

Kind of laughed, but you got the wrong idea of who's really going to show up some day and shut trail 8 down for a 60 mile XC race on a holiday weekend.
There are no doubt hipsters with bikes hanging off their prius. I kind of put some of them in the same category as the standup mohawk sledders.

I have seen trails closed for Dog sled races in the UP, and Cross country ski events in the northern lower. They need to groom their own. I did see groomed cross country trails around Nubs Knob ski resort and they have some pretty serious warnings to snowmobilers if we should go on their trails.

 

[HardwaterHoosier]

trail passes for all trail users would cut the bikes out 99.9%. But saying only snowmobile users can use state ground will never fly.

- - - Updated - - -

I have seen trails closed for Dog sled races in the UP, and Cross country ski events in the northern lower. They need to groom their own. I did see groomed cross country trails around Nubs Knob ski resort and they have some pretty serious warnings to snowmobilers if we should go on their trails.

Some of these "Epic" races draw over 3000 racers. At $50-60 a head, it would be real easy for a race company to pay a snowmobile club to groom.

 

[polarisrider1]

trail passes for all trail users would cut the bikes out 99.9%. But saying only snowmobile users can use state ground will never fly.

- - - Updated - - -



Some of these "Epic" races draw over 3000 racers. At $50-60 a head, it would be real easy for a race company to pay a snowmobile club to groom.

Between Dec. 1 to April 1. as stated.

 

[HardwaterHoosier]

Between Dec. 1 to April 1. as stated.

still won't pass. How can you snow bike April-December?

They could look at asking all wheeled traffic stay off the groomed portion of the trail. Not to mention, some of the state trails are for non-motorized use, but snowmobiles have access throughout winter.

 

[polarisrider1]

still won't pass. How can you snow bike April-December?

They could look at asking all wheeled traffic stay off the groomed portion of the trail. Not to mention, some of the state trails are for non-motorized use, but snowmobiles have access throughout winter.

We have trails in Michigan that are for hiking/non motorized. Put those fat tires and dogs on that during Dec1. to April1. So many times I have come around a corner to have a cross country skier in the middle of the trail. It's a safety issue to me. It would kill me if I hit someone or their dog.

 

[HardwaterHoosier]

It's a safety issue to me. It would kill me if I hit someone or their dog.

Exactly why I brought this up. It would be best if it ended up that way, I just don't see it passing.

 

[xcr440]

It is illegal to ride snowmobile trails in MN on a bike. Not sure of WI or MI, but I would think the same.

I'm pretty sure most sensible bike riders want NOTHING to do with a snowmobile coming at them on a trail. If there are any clowns who are out on a snowmobile trail on a bike, they are just plain stupid. We were told to stop them, and tell them they are in the wrong, officially trespassing, and to leave the trail. If they insist on riding on a snowmobile trail, to call the sheriff. They won't get far too quickly, that a sledder won't be able to follow them until they are caught.

As for multi-use trails, like the Tuscobia in N WI, not much you are going to do to keep them off. In fact, January 1-3 there are three races ON THE TRAIL. They tell the "racers" to have flashing red lights, reflective material blah blah blah. You can read it here if you want: http://tuscobia.wordpress.com/
No where did I see "watch out for snowmobiles". I assume that's what their lights and reflective material is for.

I think I'll just stay away from there for those three days.

 

[pinestump]

.....

 

[HIGHLANDER]

haha pinestump, I saw yer post before ya deleted it...you where confused as to exactly what the thread was about, weren't ya???

 

[blizzardmk]

The Western UP, Marquette, and a few areas in WI are hot spots for mountain bikers and considered to be "Epic Trails" by IMBA. -When you label ares "Epic" they will come.

Marquette has a bunch of trail that is groomed specifically for snow bikes. It's about 24" wide with twists and turns, hills, and even some banked corners. It is a lot more fun to ride than a snowmobile trail which is designed for vehicles that travel much faster. Personally, I would much rather ride the trails that were designed for snow bikes than a wide, flat snowmobile trail where I have to worry about getting run over.

There are also fat-bike specific trails near Wausau and Winchester (WinMan trails). There may be others as well.

The Houghton area has a few cross country ski trail systems where snow bikes are allowed. While wider, these trails tend to be twistier and hillier than a lot of the snowmobile trails in the area (more fun). Cross country skiers and snow bikers tend to move at about the same speed, so there should be less user conflict than a bike on a snowmobile trail.

PS - I enjoy riding my snowmobile, cross country skiing, and snow biking.

 

[whitedust]

Wife met a fat bike on a snow covered plowed FR with our truck not much room for 2 cars now put a bike out there? She said the guy freaked didn't hear her come up from behind & he bailed fell on his ***.lol She got home & was pissed what the heck are bikes doing on snow covered roads? I told her about fat bikes & she was not impressed.lol I have not seen fat bikes on WI or MI snomo trails & don't want to. I have come up on mushers on unplowed FRs just hang back until they stop & anchor in then pass real slow no real problem sharing with them & never seen them on groomed trails. Fat bikes I don't like them but different strokes for different folks & we all have to get along.

 

[united]

Bad news you will have to pay more cash for everything. Good news we are going to get rid of all wheeled vehicles and everyone else so the trails can be all yours (yeah right). Money grab with sugar on top (and guess what sugar is never going to happen). IMO.

 

[durphee]

Are the fat bikes allowed on the cross country ski trails, such as the birkie trail by hayward. Thought that might be a good mixed use trail for them, much safer.

 

[mezz]

There definitely needs to be a law prohibiting pedestrians, cross country skiers & bicyclists on the groomed snowmobile trail. I've been caught by surprise with people walking their dogs as well as skiing on the snowmobile trail. This creates an unwanted hazard for all involved, not good! As PR1 stated, It would kill me if I were to hit someone or their dog. Perhaps this will lead to additional signage in order to legally advise the general public due to the fact that the general public does not read trail laws. -Mezz