President Bush had hoped that before he left the White House, he would have in place a rule change that could open thousands of miles of trails through public lands to mountain bikers. The Interior Department, fortunately, has not been able to fulfill the wish of the president, whose passion for the activity has earned him the title of mountain biker in chief.

The Obama administration should reject the change since the current regulation offers far greater protection for national parks and wilderness areas.

The proposed rule would remove intensive analysis of environmental problems and possible harm to wildlife and historic areas by the National Park Service director and fish and wildlife officials, and decrease public review. Instead, park superintendents would decide whether to open existing trails to cyclists.

Because the federal government grossly underfunds national parks, superintendents are often eager to attract commercial activities, such as cycling tours. Though parks should attempt to raise funds, conservation of public lands should not be sacrificed.

Mountain bikers who obey restrictions aren't the problem - it's the few who don't who cause serious damage to fragile areas. In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a handful of hiking trails and service roads are open to cyclists, but tire tracks criss-cross miles of off-limit areas, including nene nesting sites.

Cycling enthusiasts contend the current process can take as long as two years. However, careful deliberation is necessary to mitigate trail damage and conflict with hikers and other park users.