HOUSE MEMORIAL 10

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Angelica Rubio

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE NEW MEXICO BIKEPACKING NETWORK IN THE PROMOTION OF NEW MEXICO OUTDOOR RECREATION.

     WHEREAS, bikepacking is a combination of cycling and camping; and

     WHEREAS, bikepacking touring is generally done off-road on ultralight bicycles with bags that mount directly to the bicycle, and riders cover significant distances when bikepacking; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico bikepacking network was created by a grassroots coalition of cyclists from southern and northern New Mexico, and its development and promotion is not funded or guided by special interests but by the residents who enjoy and use New Mexico's public lands; and

     WHEREAS, the mission of the New Mexico bikepacking network is to link northern New Mexico border towns to the southern border of the United States by utilizing routes that are currently being traveled, and that extend the length of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, several New Mexico bikepacking loops already exist: the monumental loop in southern New Mexico, the New Mexico off-road runner parallel to the Rio Grande, the Chama charmer, the Valles Caldera super volcano explorer and a night on the Caja del Rio; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico bikepacking network endeavors to connect diverse and majestic New Mexican landmarks, whether they are natural or cultural landscapes, including four national forests, one national wildlife refuge, two national monuments and countless points of interest and historical landmarks; and

     WHEREAS, the proposed network would contain almost one thousand four hundred fifty miles of New Mexico roads and trails that would allow access to all of New Mexico's natural landscapes; and

     WHEREAS, the proposed route of the New Mexico bikepacking network would travel through multiple government jurisdictions, many local communities and approximately seventeen counties; and

     WHEREAS, legislation has been introduced to create a state office of outdoor recreation; and

     WHEREAS, the proposed New Mexico backpacking network would be a premier attraction of an office of outdoor recreation, which seeks to further bolster an economic sector that already generates nine billion nine hundred million dollars ($9,900,000,000) in annual consumer spending and an estimated ninety-nine thousand jobs, according to the outdoor industry association; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico bikepacking network would provide excellent potential for diverse economic development to communities and small business along its route; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico bikepacking network also proposes to be an incubator for programs aimed at providing access and experiences to promote a genuine connection to public lands; and

     WHEREAS, cyclists, campers, hikers, equestrians and other users would also benefit from a statewide network of trails that can be enjoyed free from fossil fuels and that connects one community to the next; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico bikepacking network aims to promote conservation and bring awareness to the preservation of New Mexico's history and culture; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico bikepacking network plans to promote and celebrate all of New Mexico's cultural treasures, industries that serve the state and every community that is represented within New Mexico's boundaries; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico bikepacking network will be an important, unique, natural and community-driven asset, and will promote and strengthen New Mexico's communities, economy and identity;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico bikepacking network be recognized for its contributions in the promotion of New Mexico outdoor recreation; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of economic development, the secretary of tourism and the New Mexico bikepacking network.

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