MMWD details preparations for expanded bike access

The Marin Municipal Water District has unveiled a list of 14 trails throughout the Mount Tamalpais watershed that could potentially open for bicycle access in a new pilot program.

District staffers said at a presentation on June 20 that they are screening the trails to determine which can continue to support hiker or equestrian access if bicycles are introduced. Bike-only trails are not being considered at this time, but could be explored in the future, staffers said.

Some proposed strategies for trail sharing include restricting directional access for bikes, designating specific days for bikes and potentially converting some fire roads to trails. Staffers are also studying ways to make bike connections to other trails, such as trail loops and links to routes that range in technical difficulty, said Shaun Horne, director of watershed resources.

Not all of the trails screened will be included automatically in the test period, Horne said. A separate pilot program would formalize a study of class 1 e-bikes, also known as pedal-assist bikes, for up to three years.

Trails that are subject to the screening include Sunnyside, Pumpkin Ridge, Fish Gulch, Madrone, Pilot Knob and Concrete Pipe Road trails in the Lakes Area. Top and mid-range trails include Mountain, Middle Peak Road, Airforce Throughway, Arturo, Lakeview, International and Northside trails. Grassy Slope Road in the Pine Mountain Area will also be considered.

Ultimately, the selection of trails will be determined through analysis of terrain difficulty, conflict and enforcement history, hazards, erosion risk, water quality and other criteria.

Staffers expect to make a formal program recommendation to the board in August, Horne said.

“There’s a lot we’re taking on here in trying to do this,” Horne said at the district’s watershed committee meeting. “All of these components are being tested to provide us with some tools for thinking about how we move forward.”

Bike access on the Mount Tamalpais watershed has been a polarizing issue for some 30-plus years.

The pilot programs are recommended outcomes of a recreation management study that was approved by the district in April after nearly four years of deliberation.

The feasibility study outlines the desires, needs and issues involving a watershed shared by a variety of visitors. The study establishes the framework for updating the district’s “watershed road and trail management plan,” a guidebook for land stewardship.

Some community members have argued that e-bikes are too heavy and harsh on the land, posing safety risks and acceleration of trail erosion. E-bike supporters say older bicyclists benefit from the pedal-assisted two-wheelers and they want to continue to enjoy the sport in open space.

Critics said many bicyclists are illegally riding on trails already, creating conflicts with hikers and equestrians.

Cycling advocates say they are ready to work with the district to ensure the success of the program.

“We promise to be ambassadors for this project and engage in a public campaign to make sure that our riders are good stewards out there,” said Tarrell Kullaway, executive director of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition. Kullaway also serves as vice mayor of San Anselmo.

Likewise, Bob Mittelstaedt, co-founder of the Marin nonprofit E-bike Access, said he and his members want to collaborate with the Marin Horse Council and the Marin Conservation League on the “slow and say hello” trail program that encourages safe speeds and courtesy on trails.

“I think that could go a long way and we can all be pulling in the same direction,” he said.

A few critics who addressed the board maintained that they feel bicyclists misbehave on trails and pose a safety risk.

“Please, please license these bikes,” said Mickey Allison, noting she has had several near collisions with speeding two-wheelers. “Make sure they have insurance so if they hurt somebody they can pay.”

The public interest remains high, but overall the subject of bikes in the watershed appears to be a more palatable topic than before.

Nona Dennis, president of the Marin Conservation League, called the update on the plan “a great step forward.”

Dennis previously said the environmental organization is not opposed to bicycles, but interested in good stewardship and safe speeds on trails. She commended the bike advocates for wanting to join arms.

“The monitoring of behavior is critical,” Dennis said.

Dennis said she looks forward to more environmental review of the programs and updates to the road and trails plan.

Linda Novy, president of the Marin Horse Council, volunteered her members to serve as trail monitors.

Larry Minikes, a member of the Marin Conservation League, told the board there is a difference between needs and desires, and it must be considered as the plan develops.

“The real need is the need to protect the biodiversity, protect the wildlife corridors,” he said. “What we equestrians, hikers and bikers want and desire are more availability, but it is not a need.”

With that in mind, Minikes said, illegal night-time use of trails is harmful to the wildlife.

“When we talk about equity, we have to have wildlife within that framework of equity to ensure we are protecting this resource first and foremost,” he said.

Ranjiv Khush, president of the water district board, said although all stakeholders might not be satisfied, he feels staff has laid out a plan that addresses all concerns raised by the public.

“I feel the success of these pilots is going to be determined by our ability to evaluate them,” Khush said. “And so that’s informed by our ability to collect defensible data that builds confidence among all of our stakeholders.”