tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36151678.post8585615186562187680..comments2024-03-26T04:02:22.355-07:00Comments on Waltworks Bicycles: The last rant (probably) of 2013: You don't value your trails enoughWalthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09156620599767391579noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36151678.post-23607169521614235642013-12-22T19:47:13.943-08:002013-12-22T19:47:13.943-08:00People don't like getting nickeled and dimed. ...People don't like getting nickeled and dimed. If you have to pay $5 a ride or $40 a season for a pass, it's obnoxious in a "that's just one more thing I have to deal with" sort of way. If you want more people to pay for trails, make it easier for them to pay for trails. That doesn't mean "cheaper", necessarily, but rather "more convenient".<br /><br />I'd see about getting bike shops and manufacturers to include local, annual, self-renewing park passes bundled with the bikes they sell. Maybe experiment with making it an opt-out thing (e.g. a price discount if they choose to opt out rather than an added cost) to exploit the power of defaults and sell it as "a free year's trail access included with every bike".<br /><br />A similar system works for satellite radio.<br /><br />Or they could do a "free trail passes with every purchase over $20" thing. Or whatever.<br /><br />Trying to play on civic pride or eco-reponsibility is not a reliable way to approach this.Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36151678.post-18308182484288548622013-12-21T12:39:46.828-08:002013-12-21T12:39:46.828-08:00Thanks for the reminder. I've been sitting on...Thanks for the reminder. I've been sitting on a couple of last contributions to IMBA and the Colorado Trail Foundation and you motivated me to dig them up. Best to you in 2014.Tom Anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36151678.post-65829347349755225332013-12-21T09:45:36.125-08:002013-12-21T09:45:36.125-08:00A very timely post, Walt. Thanks.
It's part o...A very timely post, Walt. Thanks.<br />It's part of the human condition unfortunately. I see the same thing at the nature preserve I run where $3 admission fees are enough to dissuade traveling birders with optics in excess of $2K from entering.<br />As a (smaller scale) land manager it's those folks that show up consistently that have my admiration and my ear.<br />CheersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36151678.post-74389227181081064922013-12-20T18:07:10.941-08:002013-12-20T18:07:10.941-08:00That was so perfectly said.That was so perfectly said.Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15150569481740248339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36151678.post-68850164714034052462013-12-20T18:06:33.411-08:002013-12-20T18:06:33.411-08:00That was so perfectly said. That was so perfectly said. Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15150569481740248339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36151678.post-82238376352866053212013-12-19T18:23:21.246-08:002013-12-19T18:23:21.246-08:00Thanks for putting that out there...needed to be s...Thanks for putting that out there...needed to be said.Rodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05660584179451474241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36151678.post-51579305244429634922013-12-19T07:14:16.555-08:002013-12-19T07:14:16.555-08:00Very well said. I was expecting more vitriol when ...Very well said. I was expecting more vitriol when I saw it was a "rant," but this was thoughtfully written. I would bet that most of us learned on crappy bikes, and fell in love on great trails. I'm going to cross stitch the following on a pillow so I keep my priorities in order:<br /><br />"When it comes down to it, if you had to choose, you'd choose riding a mediocre bike on a great trail over riding a great bike on a boring trail, right? So why are mountain bikers mostly choosing the opposite when they open their wallets?"<br /><br />And I'm glad you mentioned volunteering in the same breath. If you truly don't have cash to spare, volunteer hours are awesome and appreciated and sometimes more needed than dollars. <br /><br />Can't lift a tool, either? Write a letter to your congressman. Go to a meeting to prove that MTBers care. Take a friend to your next MTB group meeting to get them involved. High five your local trailbuilders.Katherinehttp://www.imba.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36151678.post-85897281584974096662013-12-19T05:21:51.874-08:002013-12-19T05:21:51.874-08:00Thanks for the shout out for trails, Walt. As a p...Thanks for the shout out for trails, Walt. As a person who has "shown up" for 23 years, I know the more support your local bike club gets is directly related to the amount of traction we get with the agencies. And that turns into miles of trail. mtbmikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16006900178259197139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36151678.post-27115486946651659922013-12-18T16:19:58.835-08:002013-12-18T16:19:58.835-08:00Spot on. You've inspired me to do the same! In...Spot on. You've inspired me to do the same! In my area it seems volunteer hrs are more in need than cash so time to sacrifice a ride for some trail maintenance more often.Matt Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06326029014342560397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36151678.post-14513555956126326052013-12-18T15:32:31.228-08:002013-12-18T15:32:31.228-08:00Excellent...Excellent!ifyftuzwasExcellent...Excellent!ifyftuzwasfattyrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16375465192740033059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36151678.post-41911210774315227982013-12-18T14:53:56.988-08:002013-12-18T14:53:56.988-08:00Great rant Walt. Great idea for a gift this holida...Great rant Walt. Great idea for a gift this holiday seasonBrian Wright-https://www.blogger.com/profile/13830390586122770648noreply@blogger.com