In recent weeks, a number of readers have written to me to complain about mountain bikers on Sedona’s trails. The writers voiced displeasure at rude cyclists careening down trails, forcing hikers, particularly elderly ones, to step out of their way to avoid being run down.
I have only received one letter thus far from a member of the mountain biking community to counter these letters, despite speaking to several mountain bikers about the ongoing problem.
Of course, courteous, rule-abiding cyclists are under no obligation whatsoever to defend themselves due to a few bad apples causing problems. Nor are any required to counter legitimate claims from hikers who have had bad experiences.
Mountain bikers are equally annoyed when rude cyclists tarnish their reputation by terrifying hikers or when a few troublemakers yell at hikers, or take to social media to bash hikers or demand special treatment rather than acknowledge the rights of other trail users should not be infringed.
The mountain biking community is strong in Sedona and its members are generally courteous toward other trail users on foot or horseback. Photos and stories about hikers and cyclists appear in our newspapers for residents and our publications aimed at informing visitors about where to go and what to do while in town. Cyclists have been a major part of the community for decades and their presence on area trails is not new, nor due to any single promotion, event nor YouTube video.
There are some exceptions among mountain bikers and hikers who would rather demand separate trails or even build them illegally rather than acknowledge trails on public lands exist for the public at large and that they are meant to be managed by the overworked and understaffed U.S. Forest Service. More and more federal funds meant to be allocated to USFS services — environmental surveys, trail-building and trail maintenance — are shifted to wildland firefighting.
That means residents are shouldering some of the burden, and both cyclists and hikers work alongside federal employees on trail projects via nonprofits, clubs and community service efforts.
The majority of trails in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain and Munds Mountain wilderness area are entirely off limits to cyclists. Other trails are designated for use by mountain bikers and hikers simultaneously, meaning the majority of cyclist-hiker interactions occur on these trails.
That being said, cyclists should be aware hikers will be on these trails and that they should act respectfully. Hikers should also be aware cyclists have every right to use designated trails and that most do not intend to chase hikers off a trail.
Mountain bikers come to Sedona for the same reason hikers do: Because the area is gorgeous and they want to see it all. Some just pass through, some visit regularly, some move here and stay. As neighbors, it is our civic duty to respect each other on the trail as well as online. Our public lands belong to all Americans, whether we choose to see them on foot, two wheels, horseback or merely through the car window.
