We advocate  in the East Bay for increased access to off road cycling opportunities. We aim to promote a community of responsible cyclists working with land managers to create sustainable trails with access for mountain biking. Public lands are a shared resource and we work with other trail users, stakeholders, and land managers to seek solutions that provide positive experiences for all users. And we need your help.

Become a BTCEB member

Increased membership carries more weight with the land managers.  Becoming a member of BTCEB helps to indicate the size of the mountain bike community, and gives us more influence in decision making.

Get involved

Public comment at land manager meetings and communicating to your elected officials can help move the needle on trail access. Contact your elected officials and let them know what is important to you. Individualized messages are generally more effective than form letters as are messages referring to specific asks of them.

Positive feedback to reinforce actions by the land managers are helpful as well. Stand up and be counted. This is one means of public input into the process. A respectful and thoughtful discourse is typically more effective than a raging rant.

Learn about Advocacy & Engagement

Who can advocate? You can! Anyone can become an advocate. Most mountain bike advocates are riders themselves, but that may not always be the case. Parents and family members can be advocates, business owners can be advocates, city officials can be advocates. Our trail networks serve so many users and impact so many communities, advocates can come from many different places

What is Advocacy anyway? Read about tips for Community Engagement and how to work with others.

Respond to calls for public comment

From time to time we’ll put out a call for public comment or messages to land managers on specific issues. Join our Facebook group for notifications of upcoming public comments periods. EBRPD and EBMUD directors meetings have public comment sections at each meeting which are also opportunities to provide input and become part of the public record. Send an email to advocacy@btceb.org if you’d like to be added to our email notices for public comment opportunities.

Public Comment General Guidelines

• Be respectful. While you might be outraged, a disrespectful message is less likely to be effective.
• Personalize it. Explain why the item is important to you and your personal view.
• Identify yourself.  Give your name.  Identify where you live, relevant membership, where you live if relevant.
• Be factual. Stick to facts and where possible use data rather than just opinions.
• Make an ask. Be clear on what you want the land manager to do.  
• Relate your ask to decision making criteria. 
• Be concise and clear.  Get to your points and make it easy to understand. It doesn’t need to be long.
• Identify your comment. Check the meeting agenda and identify the specific agenda item for your comment or if it is a general public comment on an item that is not on the agenda. Protocol for the specific meeting is usually included in the meeting agenda.   

Live comments

• Time limit. These are typically 3 minutes but sometimes are shortened. Practice your comment out loud so that you will be able to complete it in time and won’t get cut off.
• Consider reading a written message.  Some people do fine working from notes while others do much better reading a will written comment.
• Remote meetings.  Become familiar with Zoom navigation or the meetings platform ahead of time if possible.
• Review the agenda ahead of time. Understand when public comments are taken and when your comment will come in the agenda. Comments on items on the agenda are typically taken during that agenda items while comments not associated with an agenda item are typically at the beginning or end of a meeting.   
• Feedback expectations. Comments on non agenda items typically don’t get response from the board/ commission due to Brown act limitations. Comments or dialogue are more likely on agendized items but typically are not extensive.

Volunteer

• Get involved in our trail building and volunteer days. Time is a precious thing you can offer.
• Consider donating above basic membership levels if you are able.
• Participate. Show up to public meetings, events, and GALA/RLAG rides – this will also help you stay informed.
• Keep it positive.

Ride Responsibly

• Ride Open Trails: Respect trail and road closures. Ask a land manager for clarification if you are uncertain about the status of a trail. Do not trespass on private land. Obtain permits or other authorization as required. 
• Leave No Trace: Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you. Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage than dry ones. When the trail is soft, consider other riding options. This also means staying on existing trails and not creating new ones. Don’t cut switchbacks. 
• Control Your Bicycle: Inattention for even a moment could put you and others at risk. Obey all bicycle speed regulations and recommendations and ride within your limits.
• Yield Appropriately: Let your fellow trail users know you’re coming. A friendly greeting or bell ring are good methods. Try to anticipate other trail users as you ride around corners. 
• Never Scare Animals: Animals are easily startled by an unannounced approach, a sudden movement, or a loud noise. Give animals enough room and time to adjust to you. When passing horses, use special care and follow directions from the horseback riders (ask if uncertain). 
• Plan Ahead: Know your equipment, your ability, and the area in which you are riding and prepare accordingly.
• Strive to be self-sufficient: Keep your equipment in good repair and carry necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions.
• BE SAFE: Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.

CAMTB

BTCEB is a member of the California Mountain Biking Coalition which is a collaborative effort of over 25 mountain bike and trail organizations across the state that work together to advocate for more and better trails and better trail experiences for all users aimed at state level impact. The coalition is also a platform that help the various member organizations share information, experiences, resources, and learnings to each function more effectively on their local level. A portion of BTCEB membership fees support CAMTB.