Moose-Wilson Road one way; A huge step backward.

If Moose-Wilson Rd is restricted to one way traffic, the Jackson Hole cycling experience will take a huge step backwards. Of course I recognize the current condition of the road is not ideal for cycling, but I urge the Park to improve its condition for cyclists instead of degrading it. Restricting South bound traffic will reduce the number of cyclists visiting the Park guaranteed. Is that really good for our economy, our air quality, our energy reduction goals, and most importantly our wildlife?

Having worked in the local bicycle business for the past 15 years, I can speak with confidence that there has been a staggering shift in attitudes about cycling the Jackson Hole roads. Before the large scale expansion of the pathway network in recent years, cycling North out of Jackson was limited to riders with two attributes: experience and fearlessness. The average cyclist did not feel comfortable heading North past the Jackson town limits and many cyclists, with plenty of experience, would absolutely not be willing to risk their lives biking into Grand Teton Park.

Now look at the cycling traffic patterns. Everyday, hundreds of cyclists, representing all ages and ability levels, take to the pathways to absorb the beauty and serenity of their National Park. Everyone of these riders represents one less car on the road. That’s one less car polluting our air, one less car clogging the roads for other motorists, and one less car endangering wildlife. Everyone of these riders also represents a heightened visitor experience in the Park which has to have some value.

Of course economic impacts of these facilities can not be ignored. Before the expansion of pathway network, I would have to tell cycle tourists looking to visit the area that their dream of biking peacefully in the Tetons would include a significant amount of “take your life in your own hands” reality. Now, I not only strongly encourage these riders to come and pedal in the Park, but they tell me, in significant numbers, that the pathway network of Jackson Hole and Teton Park was a primary reason for their visit! Let’s keep up the momentum, build upon these successes, and look at the big picture before cutting off a critical connection in the cycling network by restricting Moose-Wilson Rd to one way traffic.

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