This is a rare opportrunity to get some more trails open to bikes!
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) Use & Management Committee will meet 2 pm Wednesday, November 2 at their offices at 330 Distel Circle in Los Altos. They will “review the status of four trails that are currently closed on an interim basis to bicycling and/or equestrian use…” The trails are Black Mountain in Rancho San Antonio, Zinfandel Trail in Picchetti Ranch, Ridge Trail (south of Horseshoe Lake) in Skyline Ridge, and Soda Gulch Trail in Purisima Creek Open Space Preserves. For full agenda. (If the agenda isn’t there yet, it will be soon, they promise me. Otherwise bug them at 650-691-1200.)
Please consider attending the meeting or send an email to the entire board.
Some points you can make in your communication are:
- Cyclists should not be discriminated against. We should have access to the same quality trails as hikers and equestrians, instead of just steep, exposed fire roads.
- Regional and longer connecting trails reduce cyclist density at trailheads providing more, positive user experiences for everyone.
- Studies show that mountain biking does not damage trails any more than hiking.
- Opening trails to cyclists that create 5, 10, 15 mile loops in underused preserves reduces density in more popular preserves.
