canned freddy

Anyone out there know the federal penalties (fines/prison) for riding a mountian bike in federally designated wilderness areas in the United States?

Thanks in advance for any information.

koine2002

Nope. I wouldn't do it if you're thinking about it. It's protected and a balance might be disturbed.

FF 6800

yeah, i wouldnt do it either.

iamthetas

at Battlefield National Park, there is an area closed for eagles esting( wilderness area is what they call it) . the fine for trespassing is $350,000. up from $250,000 last year. this is not an "up to"either, this is the fine. you can get up to 5 years in the fed. pen also.
this may also be because the eagles status, but Im not going to find out why. Im just going to make a left where Im supposed to make a left.

mcoine

How fast are you?

FF 6800

whoa, 350 GRAND?
man thats crazy, i guess the feds are that tightly pressed to keep everyone out.

Raiyn

Let's put it this way: Unless you have a deep burning desire to start a long term romantic relationship with a large gentleman named Bubba or Tiny I'd stay the **** of Uncle Sam's land. That plus the fact that some of these locations also happen to have secret government installations in them (black suits, black sedans and black helicopters type stuff) it's really not wise to go where you're not wanted.

mtb-chop

Not only all the personal penalties mentioned so far, but folks riding where they shouldn't do a lot of harm to our cause for trail access in the more non-bike friendly parts of the country.

Not only could you get a ticket to spend time with Bubba after being levied a hefty fine, but you could affect a bunch of others in the long run on trail access issues. More people than you could get screwed - pun intended.

btadlock

Land and trails that are off limits to MTB are a bit of a pisser, but as stated above, the ride is not worth the risks:
1) Financial losses and the potential loss of freedom with the added bounus of a criminal recored, ( the gift that keeps on giving)
2)The negative impact that poaching will have on all MTBers in the area, continued and increased trail closures, supporting the negative percepetion that segements of the hiker, walker, runner and nature lover population already have.

So, just say no, keep yourself out of trouble and don't screw things up for the rest of us.

BTW, I have been know to provide intense "counciling" to those I witness poaching or failing to follow the posted rules.

gattm99

The Shawnee where I ride has areas designated as Wilderness, hiking only. I can't imagin how you could get caught riding a bike here. I've never seen a possum cop out in the woods, but out of respect for the Wilderness we stay out of those areas.

The rest of the entire National forest is open to pretty much any use, which means 4 wheelers and horses!!! yea

Raiyn

I like the cut of your jib Sir. I may have to borrow your terminology to use as a descriptor for what I used to call "personality improvement"

sngltrackdufus

Yeah, i have ridden in state/federal/county&city lands, mostly at night though . Mostly for the reason being i know i wasn't supposed to be there ,all the more reason to do it I guess i am lucky i wasn't ever caught, might have been shot on the spot or something.