Re Michael Reardon’s letter about his fears that “Lycra-clad mountain bikers” are damaging Lake District fells (Letters, 24 August), the Lake District is many things to many people. It’s home, business, a holiday destination and everything in between. It’s also inspiring, twee and exciting. It is a quiet place to reflect on life as much as it is a playground for adrenaline junkies and people exploring their personal boundaries.
Folk have a right to voice their dismay at cyclists, 4x4 drivers and even horse riders. People also have a right to complain about 15mph tourist drivers, litter louts and sheep worriers. Similarly, we all have a right to voice opposition to second-home owners, expensive pubs and poor infrastructure.
The trouble is the lack of foresight from the national park, the National Trust and Friends of the Lake District to grasp the concept of an inclusive Lake District. They try to maintain the chocolate-box fantasy of Beatrix Potter, Wordsworth and Wainwright. This isn’t inclusive of locals or the many other interest groups attracted to the Lakes.
A look at the Dolomites shows how a multitude of industries and pursuits can be accommodated, and on a staggeringly grand scale. This is done without detriment to the character and splendour of the natural environment. In fact, by future-proofing the infrastructure and management strategies of all who live in and visit the Dolomites, nature flourishes.
Green laners, mountain bikers, horse riders, walkers, climbers, wild swimmers – all groups who want to play in the playground that is the Lakes – already offer to muck in and create sustainable infrastructure for their activities. It is the powers that be who struggle to accept these modern recreational pursuits in their stale and crumbling chocolate box.
The outdoors should be open to everyone to use. Without the infrastructure and imagination, it will continue to be abused. But what do I know – I only live here.
John McCurrie
Ravenglass, Cumbria
• I am sure Michael Reardon would be interested to know that Richard Fox, project manager for Fix the Fells, was quoted in an article on trail erosion for Cycling UK stating that of 160 damaged trails tackled by the programme, many of which were “in a completely wrecked state”, only half a dozen “have shown significant damage from cycle use”.
Perhaps if we are banning mountain bikers from their allegedly destructive thrill-seeking, it would only be right to also ban horse riding, shown through numerous studies to be significantly more damaging, or even hiking, also shown to be as damaging to trails as bicycles?
Michael O’Hara
Belfast
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