This Summer (or sooner) the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) Board of Directors will decide whether to allow electric mountain bikes to use fire roads in the watershed.
Currently they are prohibited because MMWD District Code provides that motorized bicycles may not be operated on District lands, despite the language of the California Vehicle Code that provides that Classes 1, 2 & 3 electric bicycles are not motor vehicles.
As mountain bike riders and long-term residents of Marin County we are asking for your support because we believe electric mountain bikes;
- Show no additional impact to the environment compared to regular mountain bikes.
- Allow riders with disabilities and seniors to continue to enjoy the outdoors with friends and pursue their therapeutic programs.
- Promote families with different ability levels to ride together.
We are asking for a trial period of 18 to 24 months to educate about responsible bike etiquette, the benefits of e-mountain bikes, to accurately gauge the effect of opening the watershed to e-bike usage and to create goodwill and respect in the community.
I encourage the MMWD to allow (class 1) electric mountain bikes to ride on whatever fire roads or trails regular mountain bikes are allowed. I support education programs to advise all cyclists of the rules of the road. I personally ride responsibly.
Updates
May 4, 2020
The scale of support has reached a point where it is no longer possible for the Board to ignore our proposal for a trial period. My legal team is finalizing the official request for a meeting with MMWD directors to present these signatures formally. We are now focusing our efforts on drafting the specific language for the pilot program.
18 Comments
I am 75 and been riding the trails of the watershed for 15 years. I can no longer ride without my pedal assist bike. I am a careful rider and obey all the rules. Please do not outlaw pedal assist bikes in the watershed.
100% support pedal assisted e-bike access to Marin Parks and Open Space. As an avid, frequent and lifelong cycler, both road and mountain bike, I have experienced the wonders of our incredible county with responsible cyclists. As a stage 4 cancer survivor who was unable to do my normal arduous mountain biking my Specialized Levo mountain bike within battery pedal assist was a literal life saver enabling me to get sufficient exercise as I underwent advanced cancer treatment. I would be a supporter of e bike access( no throttle) as it enables riders to enjoy without any detrimental impact to the environment or other riders, hikers, horse and dog lovers. Fully support! Thank you Dan Mchugh San Geronimo
EBikes are here to stay. They are allowed in Our national Park, Marin county open space, the county of Marin and all of our local city municipalities. Please find a way to accommodate them. Thank you
I have ridden MTB's since the 70's other than a little help from my pedal assist there is no difference between the two and Class 1 E-MTB should be allowed wherever regular MTB's are allowed.
That hasn't been my experience at all. I ride conventional MTB throughout Marin and encounter E-bikes regularly. I see no difference between the two. Most Ebike riders have progressed from conventional bikes due to age or disability. We are all one community.
I agree with the comments that have been offered by many others. As we all age, an e-bike for trail use should provide me (and other members of our community) the opportunity to access and the lands that the MMWD holds in trust for all of us. The points that opponents have made to e-bike access apply to persons who speed or use trails that are are not authorized for biking at all. Those issues should be addressed through enforcement of the speed and bike access rules. There is no reasonable basis for the MMWD to find that trails that are suitable for traditional "acoustic" mountain bikes are not suitable for Class One e-bike. It would be unfair and arbitrary to discriminate against users of e-bikes. E-bikes are a new technology that allows a broader demographic of persons to enjoy the MMWD public space. Thank you.
I support the proposed trial period
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This Summer (or sooner) the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) Board of Directors will decide whether to allow electric mountain bikes to use fire roads in the watershed.
Currently they are prohibited because MMWD District Code provides that motorized bicycles may not be operated on District lands, despite the language of the California Vehicle Code that provides that Classes 1, 2 & 3 electric bicycles are not motor vehicles.
As mountain bike riders and long-term residents of Marin County we are asking for your support because we believe electric mountain bikes;
- Show no additional impact to the environment compared to regular mountain bikes.
- Allow riders with disabilities and seniors to continue to enjoy the outdoors with friends and pursue their therapeutic programs.
- Promote families with different ability levels to ride together.
We are asking for a trial period of 18 to 24 months to educate about responsible bike etiquette, the benefits of e-mountain bikes, to accurately gauge the effect of opening the watershed to e-bike usage and to create goodwill and respect in the community.
I encourage the MMWD to allow (class 1) electric mountain bikes to ride on whatever fire roads or trails regular mountain bikes are allowed. I support education programs to advise all cyclists of the rules of the road. I personally ride responsibly.
Updates
May 4, 2020
The scale of support has reached a point where it is no longer possible for the Board to ignore our proposal for a trial period. My legal team is finalizing the official request for a meeting with MMWD directors to present these signatures formally. We are now focusing our efforts on drafting the specific language for the pilot program.
18 Comments
I’m 63 years old with a knee replacement. I’ve got an electric bike. I’m respectful while riding. I ride more slowly than many non electric mountain bike riders. My bike allows me to enjoy the hills in fairfax where I’ve lived for 28 years. Please allow electric bikes on fire roads and trails. It’s simple to create rules of the road that discourage potential abuse of this privilege. It simply requires smart thoughtful words that help to create a safe respectful culture of recreation in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. These rules should apply to both electrified and non-electrified bikes alike. I’d be happy to be a part of the conversation as it applies to this matter. Or not. You’ve got my email. Let me know how and if I can help. Good luck ! Blair
I am 75 and been riding the trails of the watershed for 15 years. I can no longer ride without my pedal assist bike. I am a careful rider and obey all the rules. Please do not outlaw pedal assist bikes in the watershed.
100% support pedal assisted e-bike access to Marin Parks and Open Space. As an avid, frequent and lifelong cycler, both road and mountain bike, I have experienced the wonders of our incredible county with responsible cyclists. As a stage 4 cancer survivor who was unable to do my normal arduous mountain biking my Specialized Levo mountain bike within battery pedal assist was a literal life saver enabling me to get sufficient exercise as I underwent advanced cancer treatment. I would be a supporter of e bike access( no throttle) as it enables riders to enjoy without any detrimental impact to the environment or other riders, hikers, horse and dog lovers. Fully support! Thank you Dan Mchugh San Geronimo
EBikes are here to stay. They are allowed in Our national Park, Marin county open space, the county of Marin and all of our local city municipalities. Please find a way to accommodate them. Thank you
I have ridden MTB's since the 70's other than a little help from my pedal assist there is no difference between the two and Class 1 E-MTB should be allowed wherever regular MTB's are allowed.
That hasn't been my experience at all. I ride conventional MTB throughout Marin and encounter E-bikes regularly. I see no difference between the two. Most Ebike riders have progressed from conventional bikes due to age or disability. We are all one community.
I agree with the comments that have been offered by many others. As we all age, an e-bike for trail use should provide me (and other members of our community) the opportunity to access and the lands that the MMWD holds in trust for all of us. The points that opponents have made to e-bike access apply to persons who speed or use trails that are are not authorized for biking at all. Those issues should be addressed through enforcement of the speed and bike access rules. There is no reasonable basis for the MMWD to find that trails that are suitable for traditional "acoustic" mountain bikes are not suitable for Class One e-bike. It would be unfair and arbitrary to discriminate against users of e-bikes. E-bikes are a new technology that allows a broader demographic of persons to enjoy the MMWD public space. Thank you.
I support the proposed trial period
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I’m 63 years old with a knee replacement. I’ve got an electric bike. I’m respectful while riding. I ride more slowly than many non electric mountain bike riders. My bike allows me to enjoy the hills in fairfax where I’ve lived for 28 years. Please allow electric bikes on fire roads and trails. It’s simple to create rules of the road that discourage potential abuse of this privilege. It simply requires smart thoughtful words that help to create a safe respectful culture of recreation in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. These rules should apply to both electrified and non-electrified bikes alike. I’d be happy to be a part of the conversation as it applies to this matter. Or not. You’ve got my email. Let me know how and if I can help. Good luck ! Blair