A Call to Wheels

Mountain bikers have long heralded trails in the El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve (known by the loc's as Skegg's Point) as some of the best in the land. Along with the trails in Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve that provide access to the coast and rippers in Long Ridge Preserve that roll far down the peninsula, Skeggs Point makes Skyline a Bay Area mecca for mountain biking. What's missing is a way to get from Skyline back down to Woodside without taking your life in your hands on Kings Mountain Road or Highway 84.

Yeah, this issue may be neighboring San Mateo County's problem, but San Mateo County trails are part of the life blood of Bay Area mountain biking. Don't go isolationist on us mountain bikers, this is an important case for the future of mountain biking access in the Bay Area.

The county's proposal is a sensible and fair one. It provides a safe and enjoyable route for mountain bikers to travel back and forth from Skyline to Woodside and Portola Valley while retaining ample trailage for equestrian activities. Equestrians have not had to share these trails with cyclists for more than 40 years, and they are loathe to give up any of their special privileges.

There were some positive comments about adding the new mountain-bike accessible trailage at the January 31, 2006 Trail User Focus Group meeting to discuss the Master Plan, but they were far, far outnumbered by those of the powerful equestrian lobby. To wit:

• "The Phlegler Estate does not allow bicyclists, why allow them into Huddart, which is sacred for equestrians?"


• "The population of mountain bicyclists has become ruder."


• "Residents of Woodside have a fear of becoming a destination for mountain bicyclists. Inviting trouble.


• "Bicyclists do not stop at stop signs."


• "Some of the younger bicyclists are 'terrorists' on trails."

Puh-lease. Now mountain bikers are terrorists. Call Homeland Security, Butch, we got a hardtail sighting out in Sector 29.

The equestrians always bring it strong to these types of meetings, and with the exception of dedicated local groups like Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers (ROMP) and the Northern California Mountain Bicycling Association, mountain bikers are generally no shows. Take heart though, the politics of mountain biking may be an insurgent struggle, but there is an MTB community out there fighting the good fight for equal access with equestrians.

The outcome of the County's Master Plan is critical not only to mountain bikers but to all recreational trail users. If the equestrian groups are successful in maintaining their privileged access to public trails, it could threaten future trail access for mountain bikers elsewhere on the peninsula and in the Bay area. Today mountain bikers, tomorrow who knows.

Equestrian groups have legitimate concerns about the interactions between horses and cyclists, but these safety issues are not insurmountable. There are plenty of trails around the country, including the 775-mile Arizona Trail that offer safe, peaceful, and mutually enjoyable interaction between cyclists, hikers, runners, and equestrians. It can be done, but the equestrian groups, which often comprise wealthy and influential memberships, have a large and powerful voice in San Mateo County.

If you're in the neighborhood, the Commission meets tonight from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the McKinley Institute of Technology Auditorium in Redwood City. This meeting is open to the public, even mountain bikers.