Southeast - Are they going to close the Blue Ridge Parkway to Cyclists???

From The Blue Ridge Outdoors: (http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/outdoor-blogs/editors-blog/blue-ridge-parkway-closed-to-cyclists/) << link

The Blue Ridge Parkway is the single most popular road for bicyclists in the Blue Ridge. Cyclists cherish the Parkway’s 469 scenic miles from Shenandoah to the Smokies. Even Lance Armstrong pedaled the high-elevation road during his Tour de France championship training.

Unfortunately, the Blue Ridge Parkway’s newly released draft management plan could limit cycling on the Parkway. The draft plan focuses exclusively on the Parkway being “actively managed as a traditional, self-contained, scenic recreational driving experience.”

Please read the article and write to:

Superintendent Philip A. Francis, Jr.
Blue Ridge Parkway
199 Hemphill Knob Road
Asheville, NC 28803

By 16 December.

Yes, quite concerning. I came across it as I am a member of the Friends of the Parkway. All should submit comments on this as well as forward to others to ensure further thought is put into it---as we have seen of late in DC----so much stuff like this can slide through due to inaction.

Best road in US to ride a bike on IMO and through the draft mgmt plan they are implying that somehow maintaining the Parkway is easier and potentially cheaper when it is cars only? Makes no sense, esp since bikes are eco friendly, less traumatic for pavement---i.e. less maintenance and cyclists still bring economic benefits to Parkway communities-----Lets think Assault on Mt Mitchell, Fletcher Flyer, Hurt Pain and Agony, and Bridge to Bridge, among others---aside form all the individuals and groups that ride on their own.


Thanks for bringing this into focus. Let's hope it only becomes a faded memory that never comes to fruition.

I haven't found anything quoting exactly where in the plan it would ban cycling. In fact some have quoted parts of plan that specifically mention that cycling is and will continue to be part of the expected traffic in the Blue Ridge Parkway. Read the comments on the linked post to see what people who have actually read the plan are saying. It sounds like this is an over reaction or possibly a misinterpretation of what's being proposed. I hope that is the case.

If you were freaked out by the Blue Ridge Outdoors article, Will has posted a more down-to-earth one today.

http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/outdoor-blogs/editors-blog/why-the-parkway-plan-is-bad-for-bicyclists/

Stay tuned for an action alert from the Bikeleague and some others, today or tomorrow.

Today's article is certainly an improvement on the original one, but still seems rather alarmist. The detailed management plans provide three alternatives. Plan A would continue the current policies (which allow bicycle use of the parkway) and both Plan B and Plan C state:
"The parkway and other park roads would
continue to be available to bicyclists and
provide an outstanding cycling experience. In
general, the parkway’s limited access, lower
traffic levels, and scenic setting provide for a
quality cycling experience. This would
continue to be a long-term beneficial impact
on the quality of visitor’s bicycling experience."

I'd support sending comments that express the view that the Parkway is and should continue to be a valuable resource available to cyclists. But comments that incorrectly attack the proposed plans as seeking to close the Parkway to bicycling strike me as counter-productive since they would portray the cycling community as ill informed.

The Bikeleague has a ready-made email for you to submit comments via CapWiz:

http://capwiz.com/lab/issues/alert/?alertid=58057536