#trail access

Nov. 11 2019

This week, the Midpeninsula Open Space Regional District (Midpen) will meet to discuss ebike use on their lands.  

The Midpeninsula Open Space Regional district land stretches from Half Moon Bay to Los Altos and southward.  Their 24 preserves include hundreds of miles of trails - most of which is currently accessible by bicycle.  More info on Midpen preserves.

Midpen is considering three options, to be discussed at the meeting:

1. Limit class 1 and 2 electric bicycles to designated paved trails and roadways.

2. Allow class 1 electric bicycles on all paved and unpaved trails and roadways that allow bicycles and limit class 2 electric bicycles to designated paved trails and roadways.

3. Allow class 1 and 2 electric bicycles on all paved and unpaved trails and roadways that allow bicycles

If you would like to continue your advocacy for ebikes - here is your next opportunity.

WHAT: Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Open Space Regional District

WHEN: Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 7:00pm

WHERE: 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, CA 94022

Resources: Several issues will be discussed at this meeting, here is the brief on

ebikes specifically for this meeting.

Show your support for ebike access to fire roads!

The Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD), which administers many Mt. Tamalpais trails, is considering making changes to its rules regarding ebike access, especially as it relates to less-traveled fireroads. The word on the street (or the trail!) is that the MMWD has heard a lot from a vocal minority that is the anti-ebike crowd, advocating for banning access by ebikes to MMWD fire roads.

Ebike supporters in Marin, make your voice heard now!

MMWD wants to hear from you as well--they serve the public and want to act in the true public interest. MMWD officials need to be able to say confidently that there is overwhelming support in Marin for ebikes on fire roads, so they can proceed accordingly.

Public meeting scheduled for Tuesday Dec. 11th

Share your perspective at a special Ebike Public Workshop on Tuesday, December 11, 6 - 8pm, at the Corte Madera Community Center, 498 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera, CA 94925.

If you care about ebike access in Marin, we urge you to attend this important event.

Share Your Thoughts With MMWD Before The Meeting

Sample Letter & Talking Points (Please Personalize)

Dear MMWD Director/Staff,

As a Marin County resident / (trail user) who cares deeply about addressing climate change, traffic congestion, environmental protection and the health and wellness of our community, I ask that you lend your support to efforts to enable ebike access to fire roads throughout your jurisdiction. Facts don't lie: no harm from the use of class 1 electric bicycles on fire roads has been shown by independent research. To the contrary, study after study demonstrates that ebikes improve access for all, especially for aging adults, and reduce the need for automobile and parking infrastructure, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and traffic. Ebikes are a win-win-win proposition for Marin. Please move to enable–and not restrict–the use of this incredible green technology here in the land of new ideas and forward-thinking environmental protection.

Thank you for your support. Sincerely, [your name]

Board Members & Staff Contacts

Larry Bragman Division III Director & Board Vice President [email protected]

Jack Gibson Division I Director [email protected]

Cynthia Koehler Division I Director [email protected]

Armando Quintero Division II Director & 2017 Board President [email protected]

Larry Russell Division V Director [email protected]

Krishna Kumar General Manager [email protected]

Crystal Yezman Facilities & Watershed Division Manager [email protected]

Alternatively, cut and paste the emails below into your email:

nicely sums up the struggle for trail access at River View, PDX. actual riding footage provides some context that i didn’t have before; this place looks neat & i’d want to ride there :-(

let this be a lesson to trail users everywhere: be our own best advocates. be vocal. be courteous.