Mountain biking group is part of the solution in Fells, not the problem

by Boston Globe

We at the New England Mountain Bike Association were disappointed to read Phil Primack’s Oct. 13 op-ed, “How thrill-seeking mountain bikers are ravaging our shared trails.” His portrayal doesn’t reflect reality as we know it in the Middlesex Fells or across Massachusetts, and it misrepresents the mountain biking community.

NEMBA is proud to be part of the solution, not the problem. We value our partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation and our shared stewardship of the Middlesex Fells with other stakeholders. Together we’ve worked hard to educate users, maintain trails, and promote responsible recreation. Over the past decade, we have seen conditions improve significantly. Of course, conflicts and rogue trails still exist — in a park close to Boston with thousands of visitors, that’s inevitable. What matters is that we continue working together to address these challenges.