American Motorcyclist February 2018

A ‘Win’ In Austin

Riders Get Decision On Trail Closings Postponed

Motorcyclists in Austin, Texas, seeking to preserve the Emma Long Motorcycle Park and prevent trail closings won a victory in December when the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Coordinating Committee delayed a proposed change in its plan.

The public access plan revision—drafted by park administrators—would place authority to close trails in the hands of one appointed bureaucrat.

In addition, motorcyclists Kevin Schwantz (an AMA Hall of Famer), Chris Fields and Don Hubbard told the committee that the new plan fails to acknowledge that motorcycle trails and other activities were grandfathered when the existing plan was created. The draft plan has been slated for discussion and reconsideration in 2018.