By Scott Bartlebaugh
A number of in progress efforts continued including a bike bell station pilot though EBRPD. Public comment was submitted specifically on the EBRPD capital plan trail projects and comment made to the joint EBMUD/EBRPD Liaison Committee regarding increasing access to people riding bikes on EBMUD roads and trails.
The May 11 EBRPD board meeting included an update from Assistant General Manager Kristina Kelchner and Planner Deven Reiff. It starts around 2:09:55 in the linked YouTube video and then moves on to talking about activity at Briones wrapping up around 3:00:00. The video is an opportunity to hear staff and board comments regarding trails and bike access directly.
At the May 11 EBRPD board meeting discussion did touch on some of the issues at Briones with acknowledgement by Brian Holt, Chief of Planning, that the situation isn’t working for equestrians and it isn’t working for mountain bikers and in many cases it’s not working for hikers. He notes that there is a different conversation than the typical zero sum solution of mountain biking being allowed only on fire roads and hikers and equestrians get access to everything.
Additionally it’s noted that increased use during Covid has shown that the same old approaches are the definition of insanity. Captain Lance Brede from Law Enforcement has also stated the would rather be doing other things than issuing citations to mountain bikers and that a need for enforcement would likely decrease if there were more trails available to mountain bikers. Director Coffey inquired about the use of trail management tools such as alternating days or directional access. Director Weiskamp challenged the group to having improvements implemented by years end.
This is a different conversation than in the past. It remains to be seen if it progress to real and satisfying change. We are doing what we can in the process and will let you know when there are specific times for action.
In the meantime there are things that you can do to reduce conflict at Briones including the following:
- When you encounter equestrians stop and talk to the rider. Human voices put the horses more at ease and they are less likely to be spooked. Ask them to let you know when it is safe to pass. This may not be until the horse has passed you.
- When you encounter hikers/walkers/runners verbally call out and let them know you are there. Slow down close to their speed. Try to avoid startling them. Consider using a bell.
- Understand that there is a 15 mph speed limit even though it may not be posted prominently. 15 mph isn’t necessarily a safe speed for passing other trail users though and slower speeds are needed for passing.
- When merging into trails such as Alhambra Creek trail (road), slow and watch for other trail users particularly equestrians. Consider those merge points similarly to merging trails at a ski/snowboard area or a no-wake zone on a lake.
- Pine Tree Trail has a particularly narrow section west of Briones Road with a blind entrance. While this trail is closed to bikes there have still been problems with equestrians encountering bikes. Horses encountering bikes on this section have reacted in ‘flight’ mode and spun 180 degrees and then bolted creating a very dangerous situation both for the riders and the horses. Please stay off of Pine Tree Trail. Briones Road provides an alternate route to connect between Old Briones Road and Orchard Trail.
