Park gets bikes to patrol trails

RISING FAWN, Ga. -- Cloudland Canyon State Park staff members received two bicycles to use for patrolling the park's trails, and they will be riding them as soon as state officials develop a policy on how to use them.

The bikes were delivered at the end of January as a gift from the Lula Lake Land Trust and the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association.

Park manager Bobby Wilson said he and the assistant manager haven't taken the bikes out for a spin yet because they are waiting on helmets and a policy on their use. He said he hopes to have everything squared away by late spring or early summer.

The bikes, however, are ready to roll.

"They're just sitting here waiting for us to get our administrative stuff done," Mr. Wilson said.

Attempts to reach two state spokeswomen for the department were unsuccessful Thursday, and messages were not returned. Fort Mountain State Park near Chatsworth has one bike that park employees can use, according to staff. James "Sloppy" Floyd State Park near Summerville does not have a patrol bike or bike trails.

Mr. Wilson said he thinks the bicycles' size and agility will improve the rangers' access around the park.

"We don't really want to be patrolling the trails regularly on ATVs," he said.

Mr. Wilson said the bikes could be used occasionally for campground patrol instead of the park's truck but mostly would be used on the recently opened 5.6-mile-long Cloudland Connector trail.

Pedaling the 11-mile round trip might take some practice, he acknowledged.

"It'll take some time. We'll have to get used to it," Mr. Wilson said. "There will be some challenging hills."

The white and black bikes come with a rack above the rear tires and "Police" stylized on the frame. Each has adjustable shock absorbers and will have blue lights installed, Mr. Wilson said.

Once the final details are worked out, the bikes make a lot of sense, according to Bobby Davenport, development director for the Lula Lake Land Trust.

"That's a really effective way to get around," he said of the two-wheelers.

The bikes, which would retail for about $2,000 each, are part of the relationship between the land trust and the state. Lula Lake recently donated a tract of land to the state that was turned into the 5.6 mile trail the bikes will be used to patrol. The trust also is working with the state to open 15 to 18 miles of mountain bike trails in the area and eventually link the park to St. Elmo through a system of trails crossing the state line.

Law enforcement personnel need a way to get to those areas, and much of the trail best will be accessed on two wheels with pedal power, Mr. Davenport said.

"The bikes are a no-brainer," he said.