Take action! Please participate!
We’re all advocates and here’s an easy way for you to participate and advance mountain bike access in our region. The Alameda-Tesla property is adjacent to the Carnegie OHV Park southeast of Livermore and west of Tracy, and the California State Parks are working through a process of park classification and general planning for this property. For most of us, this area isn’t immediately in our backyard, but the impact of this process helps set the tone and actions of land managers that are in our backyards (such as EBRPD and even EBMUD) and the general tone on access with land managers across California. It all adds up and this is a step each of you can take to make a difference.
We’re asking you to participate in either the online virtual workshop on Tuesday, September 30, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM or the in-person workshop on Saturday, September 20th, from 10:00 AM to noon in Tracy. Participate by registering for a workshop, attending and making a public comment stating you support and want to see mountain bike access. Your comment can be very simple. Your participation will make a difference and collectively make a big difference in the process. It is critical for the mountain bike community to show up and speak up during these workshops.
California State Parks have a range of park classifications from the most recreation oriented classification of State Recreation Area to the most recreation-restrictive classication of State Reserve. There is an option to mix classifications for various areas within the property that can allow for higher recreation in one area and higher natural, cultural, or historical resource preservation in another area. You can find out more information about the range of classifications, the entire process, and site surveys and studies of the area that have been done on the project web site.
Relating your personal perspective can make your comment even more effective. If you need some help with talking points here are some to consider:
- I support mountain bike access at Alameda-Tesla.
- Describe how mountain biking positively affects you.
- Mountain biking allows me access open spaces and take in the natural beauty and observe wildlife.
- Mountain biking increases my connection with our natural resources and my support to sustainably conserve them.
- Mountain bike access can be planned to provide sustainable low impact recreation and avoid highly sensitive natural, cultural, and historical resources.
- Support a classification of State Recreation Area (SRA) or State Park (SP) and the use of sub classifications to protect more sensitive areas at Alameda Tesla.
- Mountain bikers have demonstrated they are a ready and willing community to provide volunteer stewardship. Examples include Mount Diablo Trails Alliance at Mt. Diablo State Park, the Stewards of Briones and Bicycle Trails Council in the East Bay Regional Parks District, Access 4 Bikes and Marin County Bicycle Coalition in Marin County, and Santa Cruz Mountain Trail Stewardship in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties to name just a few in our region.
- Mountain biking includes a range of trail experiences from fire roads, to cross country trails, to technical or downhill-oriented trails. Sustainable trails can be designed for all of these trail experiences.
- Mountain biking is a great way to connect youth with nature, conservation of our open spaces and natural resources, improve their mental and physical well-being, and get them off their screens.
- Trails systems can be designed and managed for multiple trail users including mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians through combinations of multi-use, single use, directional, and time of use practices.
- Trail conflict can be minimized by use of educational programs such as Slow and Say Hello which has been used effectively in State Parks in Marin County.
- Alameda Tesla is very close to the growing community of Tracy which has very limited trail and open space opportunities. Sustainable mountain bike trail access should be a part of Alameda Tesla to serve this growing community.
Please take a little bit of your valuable time to be an advocate and participate in one of these public workshops. Reach out to advocacy@btceb.org if you have any questions.
Scott Bartlebaugh, Advocacy Director
