On September 3, 2024, Marin Water District’s Board unanimously approved two 2-year pilot programs. These were scheduled to begin on October 4, 2024.
Current Status
Update February 3, 2025
Parties involved in the lawsuit are now engaging in mediation required by this type of CEQA litigation. A settlement agreement may be reached, but discussions are ongoing and confidential. We’ll post an update here as soon as we hear the outcome.
Update December 5th, 2024
Unfortunately, Judge Sweet was unswayed by the arguments presented by Marin Water’s legal team and granted the preliminary injunction on both the e-bike and trail-sharing pilot programs. The programs are now on hold until the case is settled, and regulations on the mountain remain unchanged. Marin Water is discussing the next steps internally, and we hope to have an update soon.
On October 1, 2024, the California Native Plant Society (CNPS), Marin Audubon Society, and the Marin Conservation League (MCL) filed a lawsuit against Marin Water, resulting in a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) – halting the pilot program.
About the Pilots
The two pilot programs were both approved by Marin Water’s Board to run for a two-year period:
- Trail Sharing Pilot Program: Would allow bikes on 6.6 miles of singletrack trails to evaluate trail-sharing methods.
- E-Bike Class 1 Trial Program: Class 1 e-bikes would be allowed access on the watershed in the same manner as regular bicycles, including any trails where bike access would be permitted under the pilot program.
You can read more about the pilot programs here.
MCBC is working to determine the best way to move forward and fight for equal access on Mt. Tam. Watch this page for the latest updates and action alerts, and join our mailing list to get all the updates in your inbox.
Update: November 12, 2024
The Judge handling the CEQA case regarding Marin Water’s two Pilot Programs issued a tentative ruling last week to grant the preliminary injunction requested by Marin Conservation League, Marin Audubon Society and California Native Plant Society. This decision would delay both the planned trail sharing pilot and e-bike pilot programs until the merits of the case are decided. At the hearing however, Marin Water’s legal team presented strong arguments that compelled the Judge to consider his decision further and he made no final ruling.
For now, the Temporary Restraining Order still stands and the pilots continue to be on hold but there is a chance that his tentative ruling may change and one (or both) of the pilots may be allowed to commence.
While Judge Sweet has 90 days to issue his decision, we expect it to be issued much sooner. We will keep you updated.
Read Marin Water’s statement here.
How You Can Help
While MCBC works with Marin Water and our partner agencies on the legal front, we need support from the community. Share why this is important to you by writing a letter to the editor for the Marin IJ (email: opinion@marinij.com), talking with your neighbors, and watching this page for future action alerts.
SUPPORT PILOT TRAILS ON MT. TAM |
Read MCBC’s most recent news posts about the Mt. Tam Pilot Trails program:
- Ten Bike-Legal Singletrack Trails On Mt. Tam
- Mountain Biking In Marin Is Changing; Can You Feel It?
- Watershed Pilot Program Moves Forward
- One Step Closer To Singletrack On Mt. Tam
What Others Are Saying About The Mt. Tam Pilot Trails
- Marin Judge Blocks Expanded Bike Access on Mt. Tam
- Marin mountain bikers celebratory Mt.Tam ride halted by 11th hour lawsuit
- Horse riders anxious over cyclist’s access on mt. Tam trails
- Marin IJ Readers Forum – 10.18.2024 – Lawsuit stopping MMWD biking plan very unfair
- Marin IJ Reader’s Forum 10.21.2024 – MMWD lawsuit groups are being dishonorable
- Marin IJ 11.08.2024 – Marin judge issues tentative ruling in Mount Tam cycling suit
- Marin IJ 12.09.2024 – Marin judge: Prohibition on Mount Tam bike programs extended
In the News (Pre-lawsuit)
- Marin IJ: MMWD details preparations for expanded bike access
- Singletracks: After 40 years, trails are opening to bikes on Mount Tamalpais, the California birthplace of MTB
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
As we navigate the TRO and lawsuit with Marin Water and our partners, there are still ways to help:
JOIN THE TEAM
With you on our team, we can stay engaged with the process from start to finish. Help us advocate for a bike-friendly framework while managing recreation and (importantly) protecting the environment and biodiversity of the hundred-year-old watershed.
Join the Reimagine Mt. Tam advocacy team. Get reminders for upcoming meetings and keep up to date on rides and other off-road advocacy activities.
Sign up here to join the Reimagine Mt. Tam Local Team and help us create a more inclusive trail system for all users.
DONATE TO THE CAUSE
We need your support to ensure a bike-friendly pilot trails program is not derailed on the Mt. Tam Watershed. MCBC invested abundant time and resources into creating the Marin Open Space Road and Trail Management Plan. Since its adoption in 2014, several new trail experiences for people on bikes have emerged. With your support, we can ensure a similar result to that of the Watershed Rec Plan. Please give to the Off-Road Program here.
MEMBERS MAKE IT HAPPEN
All of our work to make Marin more bike-friendly is powered by your generous giving. Join the team fighting on your behalf for expanded trail access today!