📣 Petition Summary:
Panhandle Bike Ranch is operating a commercial downhill mountain biking resort in rural Sagle, Idaho — without a valid permit. A judge has vacated their Conditional Use Permit (CUP), yet they continue operations, risking public safety and ignoring local zoning laws. We demand Bonner County halt all operations immediately and uphold the court’s decision.

📝 Petition Text:
We, the undersigned residents and supporters of Bonner County, strongly oppose the continued unauthorized operation of Panhandle Bike Ranch in Sagle, Idaho.

On June 2, 2025, the District Court vacated the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Panhandle Bike Ranch, ruling that the County's approval was legally insufficient and lacked proper justification. The judge also acknowledged serious hazards to the community, including traffic, fire risks, and loss of property enjoyment.

Despite this ruling, Panhandle Gravity Sports (the operator of Panhandle Bike Ranch) has announced it will continue operating the park on weekends — by offering “free access” while encouraging visitors to purchase merchandise and sign up through an online reservation system. These actions constitute ongoing commercial use without a valid permit, violating Bonner County Code.

This is not a community park. It is a 170-acre commercial downhill biking resort located in a Rural Residential zone, where such development is not allowed.

 
🚨 Our Concerns:
🚗 Traffic & Safety: High volumes of vehicles on private, unpaved roads jeopardize families, walkers, cyclists, and emergency response.
🔥 Fire Risk: No approved fire suppression plan is in place during peak wildfire season.
🌲 Environmental Harm: Erosion, noise, dust, and wildlife disruption remain unmitigated.
⚖️ Legal Violation: Continued operation after the CUP was vacated shows blatant disregard for the law and due process.
 
✅ We Support:
Enforcing Bonner County zoning laws fairly and consistently.
Halting all Panhandle Bike Ranch operations until (and unless) a valid permit is approved.
Preserving the peace, safety, and rural character of our community.
 
✍️ What We’re Asking:
We call on the Bonner County Planning Department and Board of Commissioners to:

Immediately stop all unauthorized operations at Panhandle Bike Ranch.
Enforce zoning regulations that protect Rural Residential communities.
Uphold the court’s ruling and preserve the integrity of land use laws.
 
Together, we can protect Sagle’s rural character, safety, and future. Say NO to commercial resorts in residential neighborhoods.