The Issaquah Parks department recently posted a sign at the entrance to the Old Mine Hill Road on Squak Mountain reading “No Mountain Bikes”.

This half-mile long, unpaved remnant of the old haul road to the mine-heads has been in continuous use by the public, on bicycles and afoot, for nearly 100 years.

Motor-vehicle use ceased when barriers were erected around 1980, and equestrian use ceased with the decline of Kelly Ranch around 1990.

But hikers and mountain bikers, especially those from nearby Squak neighborhoods, continue to enjoy this resource on a daily basis.

Why then is the city trying to ban mountain bikes on this stretch of city property? Why does the Parks department reject the principle of multiple use?

In my correspondence with Parks employees and the City Council president, the motivation appears to be simple prejudice against mountain bikes.

They are hikers, not mountain bikers, and they want exclusive use of the resource.

In my many years of hiking and biking on the Old Mine Hill Road, I have not witnessed any conflicts there between hikers and mountain bikers.

Mountain bikes don’t make noise, they don’t damage trails and they don’t pose an inherent threat to hikers.

With this letter, I appeal to my fellow residents, the mayor and the rest of the city council – tell Parks to take down that sign.

And while we’re at it, let’s look at other unpaved roads and trails within city limits that can be designated for multiple use.

Let’s think green and put an end to this blind prejudice against mountain bikes in our beautiful city.

Charles Winters

Issaquah