IMBA:

Please help IMBA reach out to U.S. Senator George Allen (R-VA) by asking him to co-sponsor the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2005 (S. 942/H.R. 1975).

Working closely with the Virginia Wilderness Committee (VWC), IMBA has forged an innovative bike-friendly agreement that will protect parts of the Jefferson National Forest in southern Virginia as Wilderness. Wilderness designations ban bicycle access and, traditionally, are problematic for mountain bike advocates. The Virginia bill could become an important model for other states. It’s endorsed by more than 100 organizations, including dozens of businesses, local government officials, Virginia Wilderness Committee, Virginia Audubon Council, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and local mountain biking clubs.

U.S. Representative Rick Boucher (D-VA) and U.S. Senator John Warner (R-VA) introduced the bill. With Senator Allen’s support it has a good chance of becoming law. “This Wilderness legislation is the product of years of work,” said Mark Miller with the Virginia Wilderness Committee and the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition. “The agreement between mountain bikers and VWC provides a framework for future cooperative efforts. We must all work together to help the Virginia delegation get this bill passed.”

It’ll take just a couple minutes to fill out this ready-made form to send your support to Senator George Allen.