FOLSOM SECTOR
ORDER NO. 690 – 012 - 2022
January 1, 2022
THIS ORDER SUPERSEDES ORDER NO. 690-036-2022 Trail Use Policy
Amended regulation Section 4360 and 4360(a) of Title 14, California Code of Regulations, “Trail Use” Unless designated by the Department, all trails are open to pedestrians and closed to all other uses. All allowable trail uses will continue as they are designated at the date of adoption of these regulations unless and until a change is made by order of the District Superintendent. The Department may establish speed limits for designated trail use for units or portions thereof. If established, these speed limits will be posted.
4360(a) Trails in Reserves and Preserves as defined in Public Resource Code Sections 5019.65, 5019.71 and 5019.74 may be designated for bicycle or equestrian use when the District Superintendent has determined that such use is important for public access to the area or to make important connections to other trails and where it has been determined that impacts to the resources for which the area was established will not be significant as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21068 and Section 15382, California Code of Regulations Title 14.
Revisions to the California Vehicle Code (CVC) have removed e-bikes from the definitions of “motorized bicycle” and “motorized vehicle.” Section 312.5(a) of the CVC redefines e-bikes into three classes depending on the bicycle’s level of assistance and speed:
CVC § 21207.5(a) states, “a motorized bicycle or class 3 electric bicycle shall not be operated on a bicycle path or trail, bikeway, bicycle lane established pursuant to Section 21207, equestrian trail, or hiking or recreational trail, unless it is within or adjacent to a roadway or unless the local authority or the governing body of a public agency having jurisdiction over the path or trail permits, by ordinance, that operation”. CVC § 21113(g) stipulates that a public agency may adopt rules or regulations to restrict or specify the conditions for the use of e-bikes on public property under the jurisdiction on that agency. In Section 21207.5(b), a public agency having jurisdiction over a bicycle path or trail, equestrian trail, or hiking or recreational trail, may prohibit the operation of a class 1 or class 2 e-bikes on that path or trail.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 4326 of Title14, California Code of Regulations and the above referenced California Vehicle Code sections, the following locations are the only routes designated open to bicycles, Class 1 and 2 e- bikes and/or equestrians on trails. All other trails or trail use shall adhere to the regulations established above in section 4360 and 4360(a) of Title 14, California Code of Regulations.
To see the individual trails and their designations, CLICK HERE to see the complete order on the California State Parks website.
Continued:
All designated routes must be posted open by the use of a California State Parks approved and produced sign with a bicycle or equestrian symbol.
- No person shall operate a bicycle in such a way as to endanger hikers, equestrians or others using State Park Property, or in such a way as to damage park resources. No person shall operate a bicycle within Folsom Sector of the Gold Fields District at a greater speed than is reasonable and prudent, nor in any event in excess of 15 miles per hour. No person shall operate a bicycle in excess of 5 miles per hour when passing hikers or equestrians or when approaching and negotiating a blind turn. Blind turn is define as not being able to see oncoming traffic from a distance of 100 feet or less.
- Non-motorized,operator propelled devices including, but not limited to, skateboard, tricycles, unicycles, roller blades may only be used on trails open to bicycle use.
- The use of Class3 e-bike sare prohibited on all trails.
- Nothing herein shall affect any existing private, contractual, and residential or property rights.
- Exceptions to this order may only be granted in writing by the Gold Fields District Superintendent, 7806 Folsom Auburn Road, Folsom, CA 95630.
- Nothing herein shall be construed to be in derogation of other provisions of law.
• Roads are paved and intended for motor vehicle traffic.
• Fire roads are unpaved and have limited or emergency motor vehicle use only.
• Trails are routes of six feet width or less and designed for foot traffic only, unless otherwise open by this order.
So Ordered:
Signature of Barry C. Smith on file 1/1/2022
Barry C. Smith, District Superintendent Date
AUTHORITY: California Public Resources Code, Section 5003 and 5008, California Code of Regulation, Title 14, Sections 4301(i), 4326, 4360