Hello ACFL Moto community!
There is a lot happening this year. Changes to the Comprehensive Plan that will affect us all are being considered, and I need you input!
Hope you had a good winter and got your bikes running well for this season. I’ve been hiking the trails all winter, riding MTB too, and it’s nice to be back out on the Moto. The trails are holding up well, I’ve seen a few of you out there, and have been talking to Bob Vaux, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director, about making some changes.
Some bad news though, seems we’ve had some community members riding the trails out of season, causing damage by riding off-trail, and when the ground is too wet to support motorcycle activity. Apparently, some riding is happening now, and has been off season as well, on non-motorized trails. This is not good, gets a lot of attention, and shines a bright, bad light on our user group.
Along those lines, as you all know, it’s easy to excavate dirt with our spinning rear tires when we use too much throttle. Easy solution, don’t spin. If the trails are wet and muddy, maybe wait a few days for the them to dry out enough to ride with minimal impact. This will keep wear low and preserve the trails.
Riding in the ACFL is a privilege. Let’s keep that in place by abiding by the rules and respecting other user groups. Not meant to be a blast, just a reminder.
Here’s one big change that will provide more inclusion to community members: Over the past few years, I’ve met some of you who ride modern, fuel-injected two-stroke bikes and, unfortunately, had to remind you this type of engine is not authorized in the ACFL. This year, pre-season, I’ve reached out to Bob Vaux and the Forest Advisory Board hoping to make some changes.
This engine restriction, imposed by the Comprehensive Plan, is my biggest concern this year, because every motorcyclist, as a member of the community, should have access to responsible use of the trails. It’s not the type of engine you have, but your noise signature and speed that has a negative effect.
Making changes to comprehensive plans is always difficult, yet necessary, so I asked for some assistance from the Northwest Motorcycle Association (NMA), a diverse organization actively involved in balancing the needs of the motorcycle community with those of other user groups state-wide, among other things. You can visit their site if you’re not familiar with the organization. Lots of great information there.
Lori Taylor is the NMA representative I’ve been working with, and I’ve learned from her that the two BIGGEST issues with motorcycles on trails shared with other user groups are NOISE and SPEED. The type of engine (two- vs four-stroke) is not a concern, as some would guess.
Fortunately, Anacortes already has a speed limit on all trails of 15MPH for all user groups, and noise limits rules that are aligned with the state limit (RCW 46.09.470) of 105db, which is above the NMA’s event limit of 98db. Like I said, noise and speed need to be kept in check. Right now I’m in the process of working with the city to remove rules restricting engine type, and impose stricter noise limits that align with the NMA’s. I’m looking to support the engine change by limiting two-strokes to modern, fuel injected versions. Emissions are lower, and stock exhaust is within the lower decibel limits.
Here’s a link to the current Rules and Regs for the ACFL from the City’s site. Go to page 33, section e, to read the official rules, or click here for a link on this site.
Ride well, ride safely. See you on the trails.