Help Gain Bike Access for 5800-Acre La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve

Action Alert

For Immediate Release
12-14-07
Contact: Drew Vankat, Policy Analyst

303-545-9011

The Midpeninsula Open Space District (MROSD) has announced a draft master plan for the new 5800-acre La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve (LHOSP), located in San Mateo County.

Unfortunately, the current plan does little to embrace mountain biking, while allowing hikers and equestrians full access to 30 miles of existing fire roads and new trails.

Take Action!

Send a message to La Honda Open Space that the master plan should be revised, with better trail access for bikes in mind.

Talking Points and More Information

The town of La Honda sits adjacent to the new preserve, and its residents have stated (starting in 2004) their desire that all user groups have access to the preserve. To that end, more than 200 signatures from the local area were obtained which specifically requested mountain biking access.

MROSD seems to believe that mountain bikes have greater impacts on trails than equestrians or hikers, but scientific studies demonstrate that their fears are not supported by current research.

At 15 other open spaces areas in the region mountain bikers successfully share trails with hikers and equestrians.

The LHOSP has an opportunity to work with the mountain biking community an enlist a new source of volunteer trail stewards.

IMBA California, ROMP and Mere Mortals look forward to partnering with MROSD to address unauthorized trail building and other legitimate concerns that threaten bikes access.

This is the largest open space preserve on the San Francisco peninsula, and it is a critical precursor of future open space areas, county parks and other public land with possible mountain biking access.

Examples in East Bay Parks, California State Parks and elsewhere around the state have shown that cattle grazing and mountain biking are compatible uses.

Visit the MROSD website to learn additional details about the draft plan, and to find information on public hearings where you can make your voice heard.