On Jul 19, 9:43=A0pm, Mike Vandeman <mjva...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:05:34 -0700 (PDT), Siskuwihane
>
> <Siskuwiha...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
> >Michael J. Vandeman gives the following advice to a disabled woman who
> >wants to ride her bike...
>
> In wildlife habitat.
Let's she want she really had to say...
My name is Karen Morgan. I am 44 years old and the mother of four
children. I was born and raised right here in California. I am
writing
in regards to the meeting on Monday, May 22nd. I must express my
outrage and disappointment regarding the recommendation to close more
trails to bicyclists.
My doctor has recommended bicycling for me for the last six years, as
the ONLY form of exercise that I can do with my dystrophy from an
automobile accident. Because of the traffic in the Bay Area, and
because
of my love of nature, I have chosen off road bicycling. After the
accident, my only physical activity was physical therapy at a medical
institution. I became depressed, since this was a radical change of
lifestyle for me. Since I have followed my doctor's advice and been
bicycling, I have come out of my depression and have become
physically
fit again.
I have also come to appreciate God's gift to man, Mother Nature. I
contribute to The Nature Conservatory and have adopted a ****tion of a
Rain Forest. I am acutely aware of preserving the wilderness areas
for
this generation and for those of the future.
I have introduced mountain biking to my four children, ages 22, 20,
18
and 15, one of which has, in turn, has introduced it to her child. My
teenagers ride the trials looking at nature rather than ride the
streets
looking for "action". They belong to mountain bike clubs instead of
gangs. They have become in awe of nature and are fiercely protective
of
it. They are outdoors getting healthy exercise instead of "hanging
out"
at the malls, and they too have developed healthy, happy, minds and
bodies.
My grandchild loves to stop and pet the horses we meet up with on the
trails. Living in the city, this has been his first contact with
large
animals. It has opened his mind and given us the op****tunity to
introduce him to rural life and farm animals. Biking has also
introduced
him to wildflowers and forested areas.
To close more trails to bicyclists would greatly diminish my
op****tunity
to exercise, recreate, and enjoy nature. At the present rate of trail
closures, the outlook for a healthy active life in my middle and
elderly
years is poor, since my ONLY form of exercise and recreation is
slowly
being removed from me.
The present rate of trail closure will ensure that my children and
grandchildren will no longer have trails to ride. Wildflowers and
animals will be viewed in controlled environments such as gardens and
farms. Mother Nature will be formed by man's idea of what is best.
I implore you to reconsider the recommendation to close more trails
to
bikes. Please allow my children and I to continue to use and
appreciate
the small treasures of open space that exist in our area.
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