Washington Will Close Illegal Mountain Bike Trails

Despite their popularity, Washington State’s Natural Resources department is moving to close illegally built mountain bike trails in a Whatcom County forest.

Citing concerns over safety and water quality, the department announced Friday that the closures will begin Monday on bike trails and structures in the North Fork Nooksack forest.

The department says the trails were built without permission from the county or the states.

Among the many concerns, sediment from the trails can affect water quality. The department also says it’s worried about public safety because of the designs and lack of liability coverage.