January 28, 2003
Presidio Trust Public Meeting
A representative of SFMTB delivered the following statement at the meeting
regarding the Presidio
Trails and Bikeways Plan:
I am a resident of the Presidio and a mountain biker. I've attended previous meetings and I'm encouraged by Alternative C. When I reviewed the Presidio trail and bikeways plan and learned that in all of the Plan alternatives, all off-road trails will be off-limits to bikes under the preliminary plan, I was concerned because I ride these trails.
Mountain biking is no longer a fringe activity. It has a huge number of participants and is fast growing. Mountain bikers include environmentalists, scientists, activists and volunteers. We care deeply about our parks because our sport depends on their environmental health and sustainability. Our voice and influence will only continue to grow. We want to be involved in this planning process, we want to see trails built which will last and can be shared, and we want to cooperate.
The Presidio Trust and the planning department have a chance here to create a shared off-road trail system which incorporates the most progressive and advanced concepts in trail design and which would enjoy broad support and cooperation from all user groups. The mountain biking in the Park which currently exists "unofficially" is outstanding in quality and the possibility for an integrated multi-use off-road linked-loop sustainable trail exists and, in fact, in many places is already in place. On my website, www.sfmtb.com, I have mapped out what the trail system could potentially look like if improved.
Some say that mountain biking makes our trails more dangerous because of increased user interaction. I contend that biking actually makes our parks safer when you consider that mountain biking groups are at the forefront of trail patrol and the issues that affect trail safety. IMBA, NMBP and other organizations have a track record in improving the safety and positive experience of all trail users.
Some say that mountain biking destroys and erodes trails. I do see erosion of trails within the Park, but in fact, all user groups affect trail erosion in a similar manner. It is water, however, that is the true culprit of trail damage. Instead of excluding bikers from trails, the way to make the Presidio trails last for decades to come, is to use sustainable trail building techniques that prevent water damage. Multi-use trail networks which are sustainably built have been proven to work. Also, providing legal off-road bike trails can make the Presidio environment healthier because the poorly built and unplanned social trails which erode can be replaced with long lasting multi-use trails and trail use can be consolidated.
When it comes to the creation of a long lasting and high quality multi-use off-road trail system, you can include mountain bikers, a strong, enthusiastic and positive volunteer-oriented user group and enjoy a cooperative situation where the future of modern multi-use land issues is worked out. Although the ideas I've presented to you may represent a break from the status quo, they are realistic and attainable. It requires a planning group with true vision who can recognize the changing nature of public land use in this country. You have the chance to make San Francisco the model of urban trail planning and the envy of every city in the nation.