Action Alert Support Safer Riding, Expanded Access in Pt. Reyes National Seashore

Update, 9/24/19: The comment period is now closed. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit comments in support of our proposals! We’ll provide updates as they become available.

Pt. Reyes National Seashore is one of Marin’s most cherished natural assets. But for far too long, access in the park has been severely limited for people on bikes. Join MCBC today in calling on National Park Service (NPS) to establish a plan to create new riding opportunities on trails, pathways, and ranch roads throughout the 28,000 acres of public lands it currently leases for ranching operations.

No matter how you ride, there’s something in this for everybody. We’re targeting improvements that will 1) enable you to enjoy this beautiful part of the County by bike, 2) get you off of busy roads and onto pathways, trails, and unpaved ranch roads, 3) create new loop options, and 4) improve connectivity to existing routes on and adjacent to the Seashore.

Last November, many of you joined us in calling on NPS to expand bicycle access and improve connectivity throughout these non-wilderness areas of Pt. Reyes National Seashore. They are now seeking input on the Draft General Management Plan Amendment, which will dictate the use of lands currently leased for ranching. Five of the six alternatives–including NPS’ preferred outcome–include our asks.

We need your help now to secure this huge win for bicycling in Marin.

to comment

You can either compose your own message, borrowing where you’d like from our talking points, or copy and paste the message we composed below.

compose your own message (preferred)

1. Click here to open the comment page in a new tab. Note that we’ve included suggested talking points below.

2. If you currently ride in the Pt. Reyes area, say so (and how). If you don’t ride in Pt. Reyes as often as you’d like, say why (I’m not comfortable riding on roads with traffic, there aren’t enough loop options, poor connectivity, unsure of bike-legal routes, etc.)

3. Tell NPS you appreciate and support the improvements in public and bicycle access outlined under Alternatives B, C, D, E, and F.*

4. Voice your support for the following trail connections and plan elements:

   • A connection between Devil’s Gulch and Platform Bridge Road using existing ranch roads.

   • A connection between Bolinas Ridge Trail at Olema Hill and Point Reyes Station to serve as an interim connection for the Cross Marin Trail.

   • A connection between Bolinas Ridge Trail and Five Brooks Stables using existing ranch roads.

   • A connection between Drakes Estero and Abbotts Lagoon Trail using existing ranch roads.

   • A connection between Marshall Beach Trailhead and Pierce Point Road using existing ranch roads.

   • An Estero Trail loop using existing ranch roads.

   • Collaboration with ranchers and other stakeholders to educate the public and address concerns related to public access on working ranch lands.

5. Finally, describe why these improvements would be so important to you:

   • All of these improvements would enable me to visit the Seashore by bike, rather than car.

   • I would feel much safer riding in Pt. Reyes National Seashore and surrounding areas on trails, pathways, and ranch roads, rather than on roads shared with fast-moving vehicular traffic.

   • Bicycling opportunities are currently very limited and fragmented; connectivity improvements and the creation of new loop options would enable me to enjoy more of the Seashore and surrounding areas by bike.

*Each alternative outlines proposed management practices in the planning area, with implications for ranch operations, tule elk herd management, and much more. MCBC is providing input on the areas relevant to our scope and mission only. If you’d like to review the document in its entirety, click here.

copy & paste message

1. Copy the following message:

I’m writing to support the public access and bicycling improvements outlined under Alternatives B, C, D, E, and F. I strongly support proposals that would lead to the planning and implementation of bicycling routes on trails, ranch roads, and pathways throughout the planning area, including but not limited to: 1) a connection between Devil’s Gulch and Platform Bridge Road using existing ranch roads, 2) a connection between Bolinas Ridge Trail at Olema Hill and Point Reyes Station to serve as an interim connection for the Cross Marin Trail, 3) a connection between Bolinas Ridge Trail and Five Brooks Stables using existing ranch roads 4) a connection between Drakes Estero and Abbotts Lagoon Trail using existing ranch roads, 5) a connection between Marshall Beach Trailhead and Pierce Point Road using existing ranch roads, and 6) an Estero Trail loop using existing ranch roads. I encourage NPS to collaborate with ranchers and other stakeholders to educate the public and address concerns related to public access on working ranch lands.

The improvements outlined above would enable and encourage me to visit the Seashore more regularly–and by bike, rather than car. I would feel much safer riding in the Seashore and surrounding areas on trails, pathways, and ranch roads, rather than on roads shared with fast-moving vehicular traffic. Bicycling opportunities are currently very limited and fragmented, so any improvements in connectivity and the creation of new loop options would enable me to enjoy more of the Seashore and surrounding areas by bike.

2. Click here to open the comment page and paste your response.

Feel free to reach out to Off-Road Director Tom Boss (tom@www.marinbike.org) with any questions.

SUPPORT MARIN TRAILS; WIN A GRAVEL BIKE!

Once you’re done submitting comments to NPS, click here to learn about our gravel bike giveaway!

For as little as $5, you will have a chance to win a Rondo Ruut CF1 carbon gravel bike (complete bike w/700c wheels – $3899 value) and Roval Traverse carbon 650b wheelset (w/tires, cassette, rotors – $1600 value)! Act now; the drawing closes October 13.