Motorcyclists singled out at Yosemite National Park

[NevadaWolf]

I knew about the price increase, but I failed to see how much higher it was going to be for bikes. (And since I plan on keeping my Annual Pass, I wasn't really paying attention anyway.)

Just received an email from the AMA - and BARF already has a topic going on this.

I am not complaining about the price increase. Operational costs have risen since 1997 - such as pay for Rangers and materials to maintain the facilities - but to disproportionately raise the fee for motorcycles vs hikers, cyclists, and other motor vehicles is not right.

Originally Posted by AMA

Under the proposal, fees for passenger motor vehicles would increase 50 percent from $20 to $30. Additionally, the entrance fee for hikers, bikers and horseback riders would also increase 50 percent from $10 to$15. But, the entrance fee for motorcyclists would increase 150 percent, from $10 to $25.

Yosemite is not the only Park announcing fee increases. I'll be checking closer at their plans now that I've read this.


If interested in making your voice heard, there's a form to fill out through the AMA Action Alerts site:

https://cqrcengage.com/amacycle/app/...gementId=66048

[Bigballsofpaint]

Did this go through yet or its just a proposal? Im going to yosemite in a week and a half

[NevadaWolf]

Still in the proposal phase as far as I know. The National Park Service is seeking public comments before implementing it.

[takumidesh]

I read that as "the entrance fee for vehicles that take up the least amount of space and hassle are now being charged more"

I don't live anywhere near there but still upsets me. good luck.

[headshrink]

According to a friend of mine who we must take with a "grain of salt," there's a loop-hole to the entrance fee. According to this friend with many magnificent tales, when FDR founded the Natl. Park system, he was quoted as saying those who could not afford entrance fees should not be turned away. I think he said he actually included this in the charter. A cursory google search didn't confirm or deny his claim. Anyways, my friend CLAIMS he once rode into Yosemite, asked if they took ATM at the entrance (they didn't), and was just waived through. I don't claim the premise of his story is legit, it's just what he told me.

[rojoracing53]

I arrive early before anyone is there and on my way out I just roll on through and give them a wave. They always give me a pretty enthusiastic wave back, they must really enjoy that job or something.

I try and only support parks that are mtber friendly which are quite rare in my area but the ones that do have some of the best maintained trails because mtbers care.

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

I arrive early before anyone is there and on my way out I just roll on through and give them a wave. They always give me a pretty enthusiastic wave back, they must really enjoy that job or something.

I try and only support parks that are mtber friendly which are quite rare in my area but the ones that do have some of the best maintained trails because mtbers care.

LOL, I wonder if they miss-took your confidence as someone who works there.

[spooph]

Thanks for the info!

[Panda]

Instead of a nefarious plot to punish motorcyclists couldn't it also be that for years motorcyclists were undercharged?

[Redgeneral]

It would make sense if you looked at like this:

A passenger vehicle can carpool many people thus saving some emissions, whereas a motorcycle can only carry 2 people max.

Maybe they're trying to encourage more people to either carpool or take more eco-friendly means of travel.

[Bigballsofpaint]

Originally Posted by Redgeneral

It would make sense if you looked at like this:

A passenger vehicle can carpool many people thus saving some emissions, whereas a motorcycle can only carry 2 people max.

Maybe they're trying to encourage more people to either carpool or take more eco-friendly means of travel.

I doubt that, since when i went to Yosemite they charged me PER PERSON, so it was 20 for my motorcycle with my g/f on it. I would imagine cars were charged per person too, but ive only been there once so i have no idea.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by Bigballsofpaint

I doubt that, since when i went to Yosemite they charged me PER PERSON, so it was 20 for my motorcycle with my g/f on it. I would imagine cars were charged per person too, but ive only been there once so i have no idea.

Nope, private passenger vehicles are charged per vehicle.

Originally Posted by Yosemite Website

The park entrance fee applies to all visitors. If you arrive in your private car, van, pickup truck, or RV, the entrance fee is $20 per car. This is valid for unlimited entries to Yosemite for seven days, and includes all occupants of the car.

Otherwise, entrance fees are as follows:

$10 per person if arriving on foot, horseback, bicycle, motorcycle, or on a non-commercial bus (free for those 15 years old and younger).

Commercial tours pay the following rates (a special permit is required):

Commercial sedan (up to six seats): $25 (plus $10 per person)
Commercial van (7-15 seats): $125
Commercial mini bus (16-25 seats): $200
Commercial motor coach (more than 26 seats): $300
(Note that fees are based on capacity, not on occupancy.)

Source: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisi...servations.htm

[Bigballsofpaint]

So lame...

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by Panda

Instead of a nefarious plot to punish motorcyclists couldn't it also be that for years motorcyclists were undercharged?

This was actually the reason given to me by Lava Beds National Monument when I called them over their proposed increase. The fellow I talked to said the last increase (however many years ago) only increased the vehicles while motorcycles remained the same.

As I said, I understand the increase, I just don't agree with the way they are proposing doing it. But I don't have an idea for a solution.

[spooph]

it might also be a way to keep noise down... Charge motos more, they stay out of parks, that keeps things quieter...

[fry1024]

Originally Posted by Panda

Instead of a nefarious plot to punish motorcyclists couldn't it also be that for years motorcyclists were undercharged?

^ this.


I think the increase in the motorcycle fee brings it in line w/ the rest of the pricing.

[antiant]

Welp, better get your annual pass now. According to my local newspaper, Yosemite park fee hikes will be coming in March.

Visitors to Yosemite National Park will pay more to enter and camp overnight under fee increases that start March 1st. Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher says the park received more than 3,600 emails and Facebook comments and took those into consideration when revising the park fee hikes.

A seven-day pass for each car entering Yosemite will rise from $20 to $25 or $30, depending on the season. Between April and October, entrance fees will be the higher price. Motorcycle fees will also rise slightly. Officials say the last entrance fee increase in the park was in 1997. The park's annual pass will increase from $40 to $60.

Campers spending between $5 and $20 a night - depending on campsite - will pay roughly 20% more. The extra money will go into repairing buildings and improving transportation.

I'm personally not against the rate increase since it hasn't been increased since 1997. Especially, when you consider rising costs, inflation, etc.

[BlackNinja8]

I read the title of the thread and I was ready to fight, but after reading the details it does actually seem reasonable - provided that this increase in not a precursor to more steady increases.