Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Early Winter 2016 | 13 VAST News The Trail Leader The New HUSKY PRINOTH’S OFFICIAL DEALER FOR VERMONT THE SHOP INDUSTRIAL INC. 112 FIELDING ROAD, LIVELY, ONT. 1-800-663-3724 www.theshopindustrial.com tsi@theshopindustrial.com www.prinoth.com Over the past few years, riders have been encountering more and more fat tire snow bikes on the VAST network. These fat tire bikes allow riders to ride on ice or hard packed snow. Because they don’t yet have their own trail system, many fat bikers are riding on VAST trails because of the groomed surface. It is the decision of the landowner whether to allow bikes on their property and the responsibility of bikers or biking groups to secure the landowner’s permission. Several public landowners have decided to open trails on their lands to fat bikers. VAST has been working with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, & Recreation (FPR), the US Forest Service (USFS), and the Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) to educate bikers and make sure that everyone is safe out on the trails. This pilot program only applies to FPR lands and the designated trails on the Green Mountain National Forest. It does not apply to WMAs or other Vermont Fish and Wildlife properties. The fat bike pilot program was created to provide bikers with safe and appropriate places to ride during the winter season. A fat biking trail etiquette was developed to educate bikers on how to ride safely on VAST trails, cross country ski trails, and generally be a courteous winter user group. Fat bikes can ride on any VAST trail or designated trail on FPR lands, the same as with other users. The goal of the program is to guide riders FAT BIKES & SNOW BIKES ON VAST FPR TRAILS By Shane Prisby, VAST Trails Manager to VAST trails that have parking as well as shared use signs. These signs will be the responsibility of VMBA to install. If you encounter a bike on private lands, be courteous. Ask the biker if they have permission from the landowner, and if not, inform them that there are riding opportunities on FPR lands. Designated fat bike trails can be found at VMBA.org or at fpr. vermont.gov by searching for “fat bike.” It is important to note that any bike with a motor is not considered a fat bike by FPR and is not allowed to use their trails. Motorized winter bikes, “snow bikes” are also a new use that is emerging. Most snow bikes are dirt bikes with an added conversion kit to give them a ski and track. There are also several purpose-built snow bikes in the design phase. Snow bikes can meet Vermont’s legal definition of a snowmobile and therefore can be legally ridden on the VAST network provided they meet all applicable laws and requirements and possess a valid TMA sticker for the bike. See the graphic to the right concerning snow bike legal requirements. As this is also a new use on winter trails, it is important to remember to ride safely and with respect for landowners and other trail users. For more information on snow bikes, please visit vtvast.org and search for “snow bike.”