HM 10 — NM BIKEPACKING NETWORK

HOUSE MEMORIAL 10 54TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 2019 INTRODUCED BY Angelica Rubio 6 8 10 A MEMORIAL RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE NEW MEXICO BIKEPACKING NETWORK IN THE PROMOTION OF NEW MEXICO OUTDOOR RECREATION.

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

and WHEREAS, bikepacking touring is generally done off-road on e t 17 ultralight bicycles with bags that mount directly to the w l n d 18 bicycle, and riders cover significant distances when = = 19 a l bikepacking;

and i a e r 20 WHEREAS, the New Mexico bikepacking network was created by a t m m 21 a grassroots coalition of cyclists from southern and northern d r e 22 New Mexico, and its development and promotion is not funded or c e s k 23 guided by special interests but by the residents who enjoy and e a n b 24 use New Mexico's public lands;

and u [ WHEREAS, the mission of the New Mexico bikepacking network .212116.1 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 HM 10 Page 1 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 e e 17 thousand four hundred fifty miles of New Mexico roads and e e n d 18 trails that would allow access to all of New Mexico's natural = = l ] 19 landscapes;

and a l r i 20 WHEREAS, the proposed route of the New Mexico bikepacking t e a t network would travel through multiple government jurisdictions, m m 21 e d r e 22 many local communities and approximately seventeen counties;

c e r c 23 and e a n b 24 WHEREAS, legislation has been introduced to create a state u [ office of outdoor recreation;

and .212116.1 - 2 - 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 HM 10 Page 2 to communities and small business along its route;

and WHEREAS, cyclists, campers, hikers, equestrians and other users would also benefit from a statewide network of trails e e 17 that can be enjoyed free from fossil fuels and that connects e e n d 18 one community to the next;

and = = l ] 19 WHEREAS, the New Mexico bikepacking network aims to a l r i 20 promote conservation and bring awareness to the preservation of t e a t New Mexico's history and culture;

and m m 21 e d r e 22 WHEREAS, the New Mexico bikepacking network plans to c e r c 23 promote and celebrate all of New Mexico's cultural treasures, e a n b 24 industries that serve the state and every community that is u [ represented within New Mexico's boundaries;

and .212116.1 - 3 - 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;

and HM 10 Page 3 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.

-HM 410 -Page 144 165 e7 e9 1725 e e n d 18 = = l ] 19 a l r i 20 t e a t m m 21 e d r e 22 c e r c 23 e a n b 24 u [ .212116.1