Rebutting MCBC's call to create new trails and/or put bicycles on existing trails on Mt Tam.
From MCBC's "WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO REIMAGINE MT. TAM?" on marinbike.org
Bicycles are prohibited from all trails on the 19,000 acre Mt Tamalpais Watershed. Often we hear that bicyclists have access to many miles of fire roads, and some of them are amazing with beautiful views. But fire roads were not created for recreation, and in most cases they do not immerse one in nature or provide solitude; an experience we all want whether hiking or biking.
"Bicycles are prohibited from all trails"
I'm fairly certain there are single track trails available to bikes on Mt. Tam right now. Do they exist within the "19,000 acre Mt Tamalpais Watershed"? I'm not sure, but this sounds like spinning the truth a bit.
"fire roads were not created for recreation"
Huh? Mt. Tam wasn't created for recreation. Weren't at least some of the trails created simply for traveling? This just sounds like the privilege talking. One absolutely can become immersed in nature while walking or riding on a fire road, to say otherwise seems predisposed to pushing a particular narrative.
"WE WANT New loops..."
Ugh, please no. This is your car-brain talking. Just like adding lanes to the freeway will only make Marin more like Los Angeles, adding trails to Mt. Tam will only degrade nature and reduce the immersive experience for everyone.
"Trail experiences similar to those enjoyed by hikers and equestrians would treat all who recreate here more equitably."
As William Buckley once said, "Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive." The idea that we can somehow create an equitable experience for hikers, joggers, equestrians, and mountain bikers is extremely hopeful and probably impossible. These groups cannot coexist without someone suffering.
*"Protections for Mt. Tam’s critical habitat and water supply."*
Umm... ok. No argument, but I don't see much detail about this point in the article.
As one of the lucky few people who rode single tracks on Mt. Tam before it was illegal to do so, I get it. It is an amazing and intense experience. But it is totally different from the experience of hiking. It's a rush, not a meditation. And it ruins the immersive experience for others when someone on a bike comes rolling along. This is true when the biker is polite, and more true when the biker isn't.
The only change to the status quo I can get behind is removing horses. They're hard on the trails and too difficult to control. If you can afford a horse, you can afford to ride on private property.