College Essay: Mountain Bike Advocacy

[Dickeymotto]

Background:
So for my English 2010 class, our final paper is a persuasive essay where we are to attempt to convince the class to see our point of view concerning a particular subject and will be accompanied by an oral presentation. I'm a bit burned out writing about the usual current issues so I decided to do something a little more light hearted: mountain bike advocacy. My stance is that mountain bikes are a fun and healthy way to exercise/recreate and that mountain bikes should be permitted on all public trail systems, including national parks.

What I need:
I'm looking for some credible sources to back up my stance. I am required to have at least four. Scientific research concerning mountain bike advocacy is hard to come by, so I figured the collective might know some places to go.

I'd also like to post the paper up for a "peer review" from some accomplished riders and involved advocates. I'll probably have a rough draft finished by monday, the paper is due on thursday.

Thanks in advance everyone.

[adam]

I tried to argue this subject in the rhetoric class last semester, but as you pointed out, there aren't very many "credible sources". I gave up and went with something easier.

[gunit130]

Google: Mike Vandeman

[creaky fossil]

dickey,

What approach are you taking? What types of supporting evidence does the class/teacher/project require?

IMBA has somewhat-technical stuff in its resources section (http://www.imba.com/resources/index.html) for the position that MTBs are less destructive than horses, motos, ATVs, etc.

[Dickeymotto]

adam - I'm starting to think the same thing.

gunit- I was already planning on using Mike V as a point. Good stuff there.

creaky- I'm torn between two approaches: a) defending mountain biking against hostility and fight against discrimination against mountain bikers that is prevalent in trail rules (such as having to yield to hikers when it is much easier for a hiker to step aside), access to national parks, and the anti mountain biking movement. b) Promoting mountain biking as a sort of advertisement to a new audience. This approach would include health benefits of mountain biking vs other outdoor activities and would address some of the issues in approach a, but would not have as much of a defensive stance.

The weakness I see in approach a is that most of the class are lay-people as far as biking in general goes and is probably not even aware that there is a fight for access or an anti mountain bike movement. I'm thinking some kind of fusion between the two would be best.

Thanks for the IMBA link. I thought to go there, but hadn't been yet. Some great info in there.

Oh and btw, the sources don't necessarily have to be full on peer reviewed scientific literature, just credible enough to make a class full of cycling illiterate see things my way.

[creaky fossil]

Probably worth looking at Judge Molloy's decision from April 2010 regarding Montana forests. I haven't read the opinion yet but my friends tell me he basically ruled that hikers' desire for "solitude" trumps MTB riders' proof that they don't really damage the trails.

No matter what his opinion actually says in the way of technical legal reasoning, the end result was a bad one for MTB access, so it's probably worth your time to look at it.

[Adrian jhon]

One good tip is to be sure to include references to the materials you used in your essay. Also use the library to look up specific references on your subject which you can use.

[radam]

One good tip is to be sure to include references to the materials you used in your essay. Also use the library to look up specific references on your subject which you can use.

Another good tip is to use words in your essay. Also, if you are printing your essay, you may consider using paper.

die spambot die!

[stuckathuntermtn]

pm me your email. I did a basic speech for public speaking on this issue.

[Hugh Conway]

a) defending mountain biking against hostility and fight against discrimination against mountain bikers that is prevalent in trail rules (such as having to yield to hikers when it is much easier for a hiker to step aside)

discrimination? discrimination?