NEMBA Response to Globe Op-Ed
10/21/2025
Mountain bikers are part of the solution at the Fells, not the problem
By the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA)
We at the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) were disappointed to read Phil Primack’s recent op-ed, “How thrill-seeking mountain bikers are ravaging our shared trails.” His portrayal doesn’t reflect reality in the Middlesex Fells, or across Massachusetts, and inaccurately characterizes the mountain bike user community.
NEMBA is proud to be part of the solution, not the problem.
First, we very strongly value our partnership with DCR and our shared stewardship commitments for the Middlesex Fells with our peer stakeholders. We all have worked hard together, particularly in the last 13 years, to do good things for the Fells and for all the users who love recreating there. We educate our users, we contribute significant time to steward trails, and we commit to being a strong peer stakeholder for the Fells.
We can’t speak for DCR or the other stewardship organizations committed to supporting the Fells, but overall, things have improved over the last decade as we have all worked together. Are there still user conflicts and rogue trails? Absolutely. In a park that sees thousands of visitors annually, sits in the middle of six major suburban communities, and is minutes from Boston, it’s impossible to ensure that everyone uses the trails respectfully. That's why we're all committed to working together.
As of this writing, the Greater Boston Chapter of NEMBA has contributed 470 hours of trail maintenance on local trails in 2025 alone - and thousands more across Massachusetts and New England by the 36 other NEMBA chapters. Visitors to the Fells have likely enjoyed NEMBA’s handiwork as they traverse the numerous bridges and walkways built, paid for, and installed through volunteer hours and donated materials provided by NEMBA.
Second, NEMBA, working with DCR, prioritizes improving the conditions of trails that are open for mountain biking in the Fells. Our senior trail volunteers bring decades of experience and regularly lead volunteer work crews in the spring and fall in the Fells. The purpose of intentional recreational trails is to protect the surrounding resource. Trails receive the impact from all of our passive recreational uses - and all trails require maintenance. Almost all of the “legacy” trails in the Fells predate modern sustainable design standards and as a result are often never in good shape. And that’s exactly what we have been doing with DCR: working to bring our trails expertise in sustainable trails to benefit and protect the Fells for all.
Third, as Mr. Primack notes, there are a lot of trails in the Fells. Most were never planned with any intentional design guidelines. Social, or “rogue”, trails occur for many reasons and can happen from any trail users. A very common reason is existing trails may not meet the expectations of the users, or may not incorporate landmarks or features that users want to visit. These will result in users solving that problem - without permission of course. We believe that well designed trails, with appropriate inventory for users of all abilities, significantly contribute to reducing unauthorized trails.
None of this is news though in the Fells. Especially if, like us, and our peer stakeholders, you have been actually involved with DCR and working for positive change. The existing inventory of legal and social trails has existed for many, many years. We have made the intentional choice to work with DCR to allow us to improve the trail experience on trails that are legal for mountain biking (and there needs to be an increase in those at the Fells - this is part of our ongoing discussions with DCR). In many cases this also improves the trail experiences for all other users.
When asked for comment, Mary McCarthy, Greater Boston's Chapter President noted,
"Mr. Primack is one person, and he represents himself. What he may have miscalculated is the damage one person can do to a community's reputation by taking anecdotal information and blurring it into something universal. We see it all the time in these fraught times—vilifying the 'other.' He's attempted just that: any person on a bike in the woods equals a bad person—a 'bad apple.' What an unfortunate disservice, and how divisive! What I would hope for is that the next time someone sees a person on a bike, or a group on bikes in the woods, instead of seeing a 'bad apple' consider seeing trail builders, trail stewards, and community builders—possibly a group of fellow trail users you'd like to thank for their volunteerism."
It’s very easy to criticize. It’s much harder to be willing to get involved and work towards solving problems. Mr. Primack, we invite you (or anyone who wants to get involved) to join one of our sanctioned trail-work days at the Fells. Just bring yourself - we’ll provide the tools and training. See for yourself how much this community cares for the Fells and all its trail users — not as “thrill-seekers,” but as dedicated stewards of the public lands we all love.
Respectfully,
Adam Glick, President
New England Mountain Bike Association