Share the Trail: A resource for mountain bikers in Marin County

February 19, 2008

Marin’s State Parks and recreation areas are home to some of the loveliest and most diverse terrain in all of California. With everything from serene redwood forests to thundering coastlines all within a few miles of each other, it’s no wonder hundreds of mountain bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts flock to Marin’s trails every year. However, with the popularity of mountain biking increasing, these once-secluded trails are starting to become a little more crowded, which can sometimes create friction between fellow trail-goers. That’s where Share the Trail steps in.

Share the Trail is a joint campaign between the Bicycle Trails Council of Marin and Access4Bikes that encourages and educates mountain bikers — as well as equestrians and hikers — to use Marin County’s beautiful trails responsibly. Through workshops, group rides, information stations, and signage on trails, Share the Trail hopes to change the habits of trail users, and by doing so, gain more acceptance on public lands. It’s not uncommon to find Share the Trail Outposts set up at multi-use trails and mountain bike gathering places in Marin’s State Parks, where friendly volunteers hand out maps, stickers, and free energy bars, as well as courtesy information and the "Share the Trail Rules," which outlines safe and courteous trail use for all.

Part of their public awareness campaign includes the website sharethetrail.org, which in and of itself is a great resource for mountain bikers. It includes local trail news, upcoming events, and access to maps for suggested multi-use trails and loops. The site also houses the "Share the Trail Rules," as well as a "Report an Incident" feature, where trail users can report problems on the public lands.