If you’re not deeply familiar with Marin County, California, and you ride mountain bikes, you might think of it as a bucolic, redwood-shrouded system of gorgeous singletrack trails twisting above trickling streams, poking out of the trees for ocean views, and leading to charming towns with plentiful beer and coffee options. The birthplace of mountain biking, full of dedicated riders and bike shops. And you’d be absolutely right, because that’s all true. But you can’t ride these trails.
No, no—they’re hiker only, enforced by rangers who wake up every morning, look at themselves in the bathroom mirror as they tightly button the top button on their starched uniforms, clench their teeth, and vow to bust as many riders for riding illegal trails as they can.
The problem with being one of the historical birthplaces of trail riding is that nobody really knew what mountain biking was in the 70s and early 80s—what, are these things motorcycles? So frowning authorities, as they tend to do, outlawed something before they understood what it was. As the sport grew over the decades, other communities saw that riders and hikers could coexist just fine and welcomed mountain biking to their trails, or built entirely new trail systems just for them.
But Marin still had those anti-bike laws on the books, and a ferocious lobby of hikers and equestrian groups who have been vociferously opposed to sharing the trails. They hold the higher ground. It’s become the de facto assumption in Marin—no bikes allowed. Countless mountain bikers have moved out of the county, looking for communities more open to riding. Countless others play cat and mouse games with rangers, riding trails with eye tied behind their backs watching out for the fuzz.
The Marin County Bicycle Coalition wants to change that. They’re opening a new dialogue with county open space planners on June 8, and are kicking off a campaign called “Reimagine Mt Tam” (Mount Tamalpais, “Tam” is the iconic highpoint of Marin County). The group hopes to begin chipping away at the walls dividing riders from hikers, to make a more inclusive trail network. The Mt Tam watershed’s governing body, the Marin Municipal Watershed District, is starting a year-long planning session on June 8 to create the future of recreation in the area.
Photo: Justin Housman
Lol. Good luck is right!
I hate saying this, however… The groups that represent interests in keeping mountain bikers out, also represent wealth, power, and cronyism, which basically still rules the day when it comes to government and elected officials at just about every level of the game. Until officials can say no to perverse incentives and honestly represent the needs of the many over the desires of the few, nothing is going to change.
I am not suggesting that they shouldn’t try, on the contrary, I hope that their efforts bring a lot of people out of the woodwork so the governing body can see the level of interest represented. I do wish MMWD the very best of luck.
A lot of people do come out. So far, it hasn’t budged the needle. I am a resident of Marin (white, but only privileged to live here) and have been to some of the meetings where MTB is discussed. I would estimate cyclists have turned out at least 5 to 1 in the meeting I have attended.
I’m a roadie mostly, along with some gravel. I attend the MTB meetings to support the cycling community in general. And someday, should my unprivileged bank account allow, I hope to add an off roader to my stable.
And a minor correction, It’s MCBC that you should wish luck to.
Marin County is one of the most segregated areas of California.
The reason we can’t ride bikes on trails there is the same reason people of color can’t live there–the county is overrun by privileged white people that think themselves “woke” and educated but are in fact massive hindrances to justice and equality. Despite their hatred and delusion, we’ll get there, eventually.
Oh wow, NYT just published an article about NIMBYism in Marin County.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/05/business/economy/california-housing-crisis-nimby.html
The mountain bikers will be going up against people like “Susan Kirsch is a 78-year-old retired teacher” who thanks to Prop 13, gets to pay taxes on her original home value, instead of the millions it’s worth now (while newer buyers pay full property taxes). Susan spends her copious free time fighting a proposed condo development, because she’s got her single family home and wants to preserve her views.
They don’t want new housing. They don’t want new development, and I’m guessing they don’t want dirty cyclists on their trails.
Millennials and Gen Z can get off their lawn! These retirees can show up to all the city council meetings (having lots of time thanks to retirement), so if the bikers want to win, they’ll have to show up too. (I’m a hiker who lives in another state, but I have no problem sharing the trails… we have to be united for recreation and public lands.)
Just as mountain bikers appreciate the availability of trails without motorcycles and other vehicles, hikers and runners deserve to have some trails available without bicycles.
That way all can enjoy the environment and ambiance that they seek. I strongly believe that mixing hikers and bikers on all trails is not the answer. I think that additional trails for bikers is a better solution……for both groups.
100%
Sorry but no. You have got to be kidding with the “some trails”, right? Nobody is suggesting that every trail suddenly become legal for every user group. There are literally hundreds of miles of trails that would remain off-limits to bikes if even a small fraction were opened up.
Mountains bikers are inclusive and would be happy to share the trails. Mountain bikers also do a disproportionate amount of volunteer trail work, even on trails that are technically off-limits for bikes. When was the last time you heard of an equestrian group picking up picks and shovels and working on the trails they enjoy?
People who think different user groups can’t share are being elitist, exclusive, and self-centered. As others have mentioned, that’s a problem with Marin in general, but it’s particularly problematic when it comes to open space. Public space should be enjoyed by everyone, and that may mean you need to deal with encountering other users sometimes. But the tide is turning and it’s only a matter of time before the people holding these outdated beliefs are gone.
Sorry Matyy, but I am not from Marin. Santa Cruz here.
My local State Park has trails for bikes and trails for hikers. There’s an 11 mile fire road that runs the length of park and accesses a “demonstration forest” tha6is full of trails that are basically only used for biking.
Despite this I have had to stop using the hikers only trail that I have used for years due to the number of mountain bikes now bombing down it. Additionally mountain bikers have cut miles of trails down hills throughout the forest. I now just hike on the fire road where I know I can get out of the way of downhill cyclists.
Gary, I’m pretty familiar with the Santa Cruz area. It is indeed very popular for mountain bikers, in large part because mountain bikes are largely off limits in many areas nearby, so there’s a greater concentration down there. If mountain bikers had more options areas like Marin, the Peninsula, etc., less people would need to use the Santa Cruz trails, but here we are. In any case, I hope the vast majority of your experiences with bikers are generally positive, even if there some bad apples (as there are in any user group).
Two thoughts: 1) I — a mountain runner, dog owner, hiker, biker, horse rider- am sick of Those few mountain bikers who feel its their privilege to rocket downhill, and all others need scamper aside; I saw a dog killed buy such a mt biker in Ketchum, ID. . A few bikers have screwed it for the many. Hence and Thus the trail closings like this area. 2) “mountain Biking” was invented by a and very bored kid, anywhere the who wanted an adventure and travel on any bike that worked. I bought a Fat Chance mt bike 1984, in Philadelphia and it was a full blown mt bike. Californians and Gary Fisher have to stop claiming inventing mountain biking.
Well said!
I think the consensus is that bikes were being modified and ridden off-road in many places around the same time, (Marin, Crested Butte, England, Canada), but Fisher, Breeze, et al were the first to capitalize on the idea and make it a thing.
Absolutely right
As a hiker and Mtb enthusiast, the only time I was yelled at on trail, was by a runner. I was told and I quote, “Don’t you know it’s running season?” – she then tripped over a root and face planted on trail. The trails belong to everyone. Respect each other, and share. Good luck friends. (Former Marinite and now proud Oregonian with lots of Mtb trail)
The perseverance of MCBC, Access4Bikes and other MTB groups is necessary and should be supported. While Marin is a beautiful place to ride, the number of trails that are off limits to bikes can be frustrating. (some become illegal at night). The vast majority of trail interactions are positive and as usual it is just a few who stop any new trail or expansion of use proposal. Pushing for change is important, but poaching trails is a way of life. (Rangers are just doing their job, and many of us have accepted that a periodic ticket/court appearance is the price to pay). A4B’s Mountain Bike Fact Book has a great overview of the situation for anyone interested.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5926e61946c3c406ec24d8a1/t/5c3e2f52b8a045c7f7ea9333/1547579224679/A4B_FactBook_19.pdf
Folks, find a candidate to run for a seat on Marin Municipal Watershed District Board and get behind them to champion access issues. You can’t win if you don’t get in the game.
It would be so great to see riders address how they will manage on a long term basis aggressive, rude cyclists that do exist and frighten hikers and dogs alike over and over again.
Also the plan for rutting and cutting trails everywhere they are allowed?
It would be so great to see *trail users* address how they will manage on a long term basis aggressive, rude *trail users* that do exist and frighten *other trail users* over and over again.
Also the plan for rutting and cutting trails everywhere *trail users* are allowed?
Every community has its a**holes. Hikers, equestrians, even trail dogs included.
True Justin, but speed is an undeniable factor.
In fairness and fact Its horses who tend to have a wildly disproportionate impact on trail longevity compared to bikes. That’s beside the point though, Marin is remarkably unwilling to share their trails, I live in Colorado and visit Marin regularly, and it blows my mind that the community is so hostile towards cyclists. I can’t say it surprises me though given the amount of hostile encounters by retiree hikers I’ve had in Marin yelling at me to stop running… go figure
I should share some of the NextDoor comments from drivers and hikers about cyclists around here in Marin. Baffling. Mountain bikes, road bikes, kids on bikes, parents riding their kids on bikes, doesn’t matter the flavor, there are some serious grumps who think bicycles are the root of all evil.
“Countless mountain bikers have moved out of the county, looking for communities more open to riding.”
Is there a source for this, or is it just conjecture?
Sources: Me, talking to lots of people who’ve moved away for better riding opportunities; Pinkbike comment sections, talking to people another places with more legal riding who’ve moved there from Marin.
I mountain bike, but I don’t have a problem with certain places disallowing them, like National Parks. Sometimes it’s nice to just go for a hike and not worry about getting mowed down on every blind corner. I used to live and bike in SLC, and they have some effective measures for multi-use trails like odd/ even days and downhill-only trails, but you’re never going to make everyone happy. Also, the recent explosion of e-bikes is not going to help mtb access. If you think Marin Co hikers are an entitled group, go read an eMTB forum.
I’d love to see some trails around here in Marin move to an odd/even day schedule with hikers and bikers. I 100% guarantee many of the loudest anti-bike zealots would be out hiking the wrong trails on the wrong days, conflicting with the law, and would fail to see the irony.
Odd/ even days worked very well in Mill Creek, problem now is there are so many people, parking is an issue. C’est la vie.
Justin – Gotta say I enjoy your work on this site. Your pieces are hilarious and on point. This one, though, is off. I realize you are being jokey, but villainizing the rangers who enforce the laws isn’t funny, it’s juvenile, and it just feeds into the entitled-ness that I (as a MTBer) see from MTBers in general. Yes, there are certainly bad apples in every trail user group, but I think (again, as a MTBer) it would be hard to deny that MTBing has more impact on trails and on non-MTBers’ trail experience than other uses.
I live in Golden, Colorado, home of excellent and very crowded trails. The county has converted some of the more popular MTB trails around here to alternating hiker/biker on odd/even days. It’s slightly annoying that I have to plan ahead to determine where I want to MTB that week, but it also means I can now rip down my favorite trail without having to worry about frightening a group of old ladies who are just trying to go for a morning walk–probably the same morning walk they did together as a group for decades until 15 years or so ago, when MTBers took over their park.
Anyhoo, totally agree with your comment below about odd/even usage being a good option for Marin.
Trying to do anything in Corner Canyon south of SLC except eBike is very much NOT fun. I am an avid runner, hiker and most of all mountain biker, and have ridden those trails since the days when the only other person you would encounter on a ride was a friendly equestrian. But mountain bikers and in particular e-bikes with their speed on the uphills, have run every other user off the trails. It’s sad to see and experience, and it goes to show that while I want more mountain bike access and more trails, care must be taken to implement effective multi-use measures to avoid ugly conflicts (I’ve had to call the police on a pair of mountain bikers after they chased me down the trail after nearly mowing me down)
That sucks, CC used to be such a fun place to ride/ run.
Many, many areas have been illegal around here since the 80’s too.
Equally so also, it was the equestrian community, with their money and political ties, that made and have kept it that way. Also, despite much well intentioned, earnest lobbying from the ever growing MTB community.
As a minimum wage earning rider back then, with little respect for those insular, richer, self interested pricks, I solved the issue close to 30 years ago.
Rangers gotta sleep sometime. Strap on a light, and ride the night away.
Fuck ’em.
Atta boy
Right on brother. Former Bay Area resident. Been chased many times by rangers, slow fuckers. Remember Critical Mass in the streets? Bring it to the trails. See what happens then. Fuck’em!
We talk about this all the time — can’t bust all of us at once
Lived in Marin for five years, even got a souvenir ticket for poaching Mt Tam at night. Ugliest confrontation I ever had was when I was trail running and I got run off the trail by a woman on a horse who thought I was on a bike. Equal but separate trails for all is the best answer IMHO.
I don’t live in Marin and I don’t mountain bike so I’m only involved in this as a hiker. Here in CO I’ve been on a few multi use trails and my interactions have been pleasant with MTB, but at times only because I’m patient and just move out of the way when I hear them coming. That said, that’s hardly my responsibility on the trail and I’ve had some interactions where someone would bomb a blind corner or pass by on the side from behind. It’s something I’d like to not have to worry about. My understanding is the bikers need to yield, but that also seems difficult for them on crowded steep trails to keep yielding. Not sure, I don’t ride.
This isn’t my call to ban bikers. I just see an overwhelming lack of rule following in the outdoor community. Across all methods. I’ve been chased off the trail twice by unleashed dogs and I’d actually prefer bikers passing me too fast over that any day. I do think trails could easily be shared, but it starts with correcting whatever it is that causes so many people to believe the trail is theirs. Unfortunately for the MTB community, they’re the new kids on the block so they will face opposition. Best of luck
This is spot on. In my experience, it’s horses that are the biggest issue on trails. Everything must yield to riders and in tight trails there’s nowhere to go. Horses are easily spooked, many hikers/bikers don’t quite know what to do when they encounter a horse, and it can be really dangerous when people take the hillside to allow horses to pass, etc, etc. I say this as someone who frequently rides horses on trails too. It baffles me that horses are allowed on trails that bikes aren’t – but you’re dead right, it’s b/c bikes are the relative newcomers.
Too bad we can get mtb trash regulated in socal. There’s plenty of trails open to mtb, yet they swarm to the handful of wilderness trails instead. Rangers do nothing. Been run off trails more than once. So much for sharing….
I raced dirt bikes in the seventies. We road all over the Auburn, Ca area until bad behavior by us and others, got the trails closed. Yes, I admit it, but I also learned from it. Today I’m a very considerate mtbr. I slow down well before hikers, ask them how their hike is going, wish them a great rest of their hike. If there are dogs I come to a complete stop. Once they are past I haul ass. I even slow or stop for horses even though I have next to zero respect for some horse owners. Remember people… Horse owners have serious political clout and our experience in the seventies proves that if we aren’t careful and aware, mountain biking will be severally impacted.
In my experience mountain bikers expect hikers to yield and I have almost been run over. If you want seperate trails that is ok.