Read this interesting development as towns are trying to define the rules for trail use.

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

By Jon Schmitz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

New federal rules that take effect this month are designed to make it easier for disabled people to use hiking and biking trails.

But some trail advocates are concerned that the rules could clear the way for all manner of motorized equipment, including all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, golf carts and Segways, which currently are banned from most trails.

Trail managers are working to develop policies that comply with the new Justice Department rules, which take effect March 15.

“It scares the heck out of me,” said Judy Marshall, president of the Mon-Yough Trail Council, which manages part of the Great Allegheny Passage, a trail that connects Pittsburgh and Cumberland, Md.

“The trail right now is so user-friendly with bicycles, walkers and joggers. This new ruling opens up the door for some pieces of equipment or machines that could be dangerous because of the speeds, the noise and the pollution,” she said.

“We want handicapped individuals to use the trail. We have to protect the other trail users, too. We have a lot of traffic on this trail.”