Bike/Trail Related Political Action Forum

[Flat Broke]

After seeing what appears to be a more concerted effort by volunteer groups to contact members of the MTB community through this site, I was thinking it might be nice to have a forum or sub forum that was dedicated to disseminating information relating to different issues that affect the MTB community.

Perhaps a few stickies with contact information for MTB activist groups as well as local/government agencies that police/are responsible for certain areas; and a posted schedule for the various meetings scheduled that affect our trails. The forum would be a central place where you could check for any and all information relating to trailwork, council meetings, and other issues that affect the areas available for us to ride.

As an example, the meetings for the Oaks would have their own thread, so there would be some continuity of information from one meeting to the next. This way people who want to attend will:
1. Know the when and where.
2. Be able to research past issues and activity at the area and meetings, so they don't come to the meetings and simply re-hash old issues. This way, people can jump in with a good understanding of where things lie and the current issues that are going to be discussed. This might help reduce some of the uneasyness or anxiety associated with participating in a meeting like this for the first time.

I know the trailwork threads are usually easily found, but; but sometimes the other issues are quickly off the radar. A central location for all the information might help connect potential volunteers with issues/areas that can use their support. The only downside I can see is that by putting this stuff in it's own forum, it might not get in front of the eyes of folks who only check out the general discussion, trailhead, and trail talk forums.

Any input or ideas?

Chris

[EMrider]

Originally Posted by Flat Broke

After seeing what appears to be a more concerted effort by volunteer groups to contact members of the MTB community through this site, I was thinking it might be nice to have a forum or sub forum that was dedicated to disseminating information relating to different issues that affect the MTB community.

Perhaps a few stickies with contact information for MTB activist groups as well as local/government agencies that police/are responsible for certain areas; and a posted schedule for the various meetings scheduled that affect our trails. The forum would be a central place where you could check for any and all information relating to trailwork, council meetings, and other issues that affect the areas available for us to ride.

As an example, the meetings for the Oaks would have their own thread, so there would be some continuity of information from one meeting to the next. This way people who want to attend will:
1. Know the when and where.
2. Be able to research past issues and activity at the area and meetings, so they don't come to the meetings and simply re-hash old issues. This way, people can jump in with a good understanding of where things lie and the current issues that are going to be discussed. This might help reduce some of the uneasyness or anxiety associated with participating in a meeting like this for the first time.

I know the trailwork threads are usually easily found, but; but sometimes the other issues are quickly off the radar. A central location for all the information might help connect potential volunteers with issues/areas that can use their support. The only downside I can see is that by putting this stuff in it's own forum, it might not get in front of the eyes of folks who only check out the general discussion, trailhead, and trail talk forums.

Any input or ideas?

Chris

.

I like this idea and have seen it used effectively elsewhere (moto). A "land access" forum, or something similar is a good way to centralize information and focus attention on this issue. And IMHO, these pressures are only going to grow over time.
Rob

[Flat Broke]

I know there are way more important things going on with regard to the fires right now; but at some point, the fires will be out, people will be back in their homes, and mother nature will have gotten a strong enough foothold to use our help with replanting, trail work/re routes, etc. Just as there are threads about the fires scattered everywhere, there will then be threads about trail status, trailwork days, etc. scattered about the forums. Focusing all of the trail/habitat rehabilitation effort information into one forum or area should be really helpful to those that want to be involved when the time comes.

Chris