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Electric mountain bike access: Tahoe National Forest leading the way

8/27/2023

 
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By Priya Hutner
Electric mountain bikes are opening the door to increased access to public lands, a key takeaway from the E-Mountain Bike Summit held in Olympic Valley in mid-September.
As the use of e-bikes continues to grow in popularity, the positive attributes of e-bikes seemingly outweigh the negative in many regards, including for those with physical limitations being able to access trails and ride further and a family’s ability to ride and spend time together. Not to mention health benefits and the reduction of climate change impacts.
I joined industry leaders, land managers, bike shop owners and mountain bike enthusiasts for the summit to discuss the future of electric mountain biking, trail access and the growth and stigma of the sport.
Tahoe was a natural choice to hold the summit as the Tahoe National Forest is leading the way for e-mountain bike access in U.S. Forest Service districts across the county. The summit was organized by People for Bikes, an advocacy group that seeks to improve biking and focuses on making bike riding safer and easier to access.
E-mountain bikes comprise 3 percent of all new mountain bike sales in the last 12 months nationwide, according to Patrick Hogan of People for Bikes.
While e-bikes are still classified as motorized vehicles, it’s important to note the differences in the three classes of electric bikes. At the summit, the discussion regarding trail access was limited to Class 1 e-mountain bikes, which are pedal-assist bikes. This class of bike does not have a throttle to propel the bike.
Forest Service access
The Tahoe National Forest, which includes the Truckee, Sierraville, American River and Yuba River ranger districts and encompasses more than 1 million acres of public lands, is leading the nation in opening trails to e-mountain bike access, which Tahoe National Forest District Ranger Jonathan Cook-Fisher and USDA Forest Service Acting Deputy Director and Regional Forester Eli Ilano, discussed at the summit.

In March 2021, Tahoe National Forest designated 35 miles of the Forest’s 682 non-motorized trails as open to Class 1 e-bikes (read our story at TheTahoeWeekly.com). This includes the Big Chief, Commemorative Overland Emigrant, Donkeytown (aka Jackass) and Sawtooth trails.
The pair outlined the East Zone Connectivity and Restoration Project adopted last year, which includes the construction of 71 miles of motorized single-track, decommissioning 41 miles of unauthorized roads and trails, and improving and developing 11 staging areas.
Cook-Fisher and Ilano shared details from U.S. Forest Service studies that showed that e-mountain bikes’ impact on wildlife, soil, water and vegetation was minimal, and the impact, if any, was the same as regular mountain bikes. Ilano also pointed out that studies examined the difference between a standard mountain bike and an e-mountain bike regarding speed. E-mountain bikes are faster on the uphill and on the downhill they average a similar speed as a regular mountain bike.
Cook-Fisher also noted that Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is working to expand e-bike access on public lands around Lake Tahoe.
Overcoming stigmas
E-bike stigma was also discussed during the summit. Cook-Fisher likened the e-mountain bike stigma to the issue of snowboarding versus skiing in the 1990s. The idea that e-bikes are cheater bikes is another stigma the e-mountain bike community faces.

Impacts of climate change
Climate change was another topic that was explored during the summit, with advocates pointing out that getting more people on bikes and reducing drivers on the road is one of the positive impacts of the e-bike explosion.

During one breakout session, Steven Sheffield, team leader of product management and business development for Bosch E-Bike Systems, and Aaron Clark, government affairs policy manager for International Mountain Bicycling Association, discussed how ski resorts can best use their properties in the face of warmer temperatures, shorter ski seasons and declining snowpack. Opening downhill runs during the summer for e-mountain biking is one way to create year-round recreation for ski resorts. Sheffield used Mammoth Mountain as an example of embracing e-mountain biking at its mountain. Locally, Northstar, Kirkwood and Sky Tavern ski areas are open for e-mountain biking in the summer.
As the popularity of e-bikes continues to expand, Tahoe Weekly will continue to cover e-bike use and access in the Tahoe Sierra. | peopleforbikes.org, fs.usda.gov

E-bike classes
  • Class 1 | E-bikes provide pedal-assisted motor power up to 20 mph; users have to pedal to receive the extra energy. There is no throttle.
  • Class 2 | E-bikes have a throttle that can power up to 20 mph without pedaling, so it’s more like a moped.
  • Class 3 | E-bikes provide pedal assistance only, but up to 28 mph.

​https://thetahoeweekly.com/2022/09/electric-mountain-bike-access-tahoe-national-forest-leading-the-way/

Nevada County Awards $388,840 in Second Round of Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Grants

8/9/2023

 
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This week, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved a second round of awards totaling $388,480 in Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Program (program) grants to eight eligible entities to increase resiliency and promote health and safety at highly impacted outdoor recreation destinations. 
“There is clearly a lot of need and want for addressing impacts and improvements to outdoor recreation destinations. I am pleased with the final recommendation of funding and want to thank all who submitted proposals,” said District IV Supervisor Sue Hoek.

“I spend a fair bit of time in some of the locations that we’ve invested in through the first round of this program, and the improvements made are visibly noticeable. There is less trash, less human waste, and more signage and trail ambassadors,” said District 5 Supervisor Hardy Bullock.  “I would just like to commend everyone involved and look forward to the great work that comes from round two funding.” 

These projects, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and County of Nevada General Fund, will address unmet needs at popular outdoor recreation sites across Nevada County and meet the goals of the program to promote public safety and public health, equitable access to recreation opportunities, economic development through sustainable recreation, and protection and preservation of natural resources. 

Selected projects include visitor outreach and education, as well as the installation and/or improvement of restrooms, parking, trails, kiosks, signage, and recreational amenities.  
Recipients include:  
  • Bear Yuba Land Trust - $30,000 to continue the Trail Keepers ambassador program and enhance trail stewardship, access, fire safety and vegetation management on public access trail easements and BYLT trails, including Cascade Canal Trail, Alan Thiesen and Rambler Trails, Independence Trail, and Wildflower Ridge Trail;  
  • Nevada County Consolidated Fire District - $77,500 to construct improvements at Station 82 on Highway 20 next to the Pioneer Trail, including parking, signage, bike racks, and safety lighting;  
  • Sierra Gold Parks Foundation - $71,000 for improving state parks in western Nevada county – Empire Mine State Historic Park, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, and the South Yuba River State Park – to include six new and updated trail kiosks, three new contactless water stations, eight new bear-proof trash receptacles, and the purchase of a changeable message sign for coordinated use by the South Yuba River Public Safety Cohort; 
  • South Yuba River Citizen’s League (SYRCL) - $16,700 for the continuation of the River Ambassadors program at Highway 49 and Bridgeport with expansion to Purdon and Edwards’ Crossings that engages the public on river safety, waste pickup, and responsible recreation; and $59,000 to develop trailheads at Van Norden Meadow as part of the Van Norden Meadow Restoration and Recreation Project on Donner Summit in the Tahoe National Forest, to include two trailheads with native surface parking lots, two double vault toilets and trailhead and interpretive signage; 
  • Truckee Dirt Union - $20,000 to acquire excavation tools and equipment to support trail maintenance and repair in eastern Nevada County; 
  • Truckee Trails Foundation - $74,280 for a visitor safety and environmental hazard prevention program that increases trail host ambassador outreach and safety monitoring, plus year-round service for two portable restrooms and dumpsters at critical high-volume locations in Donner Summit and east Nevada County; and the installation of one toilet and picnic table at a day-use area along the Truckee River at the entrance to the Glenshire Subdivision and at the far east end of the Truckee River Legacy Trail and informational and directional signage at Hole in the Ground Trail, Commemorative Overland Emigrant Trail, Summit Lake Trail, Warren Lake Trail, Lola Montez Trail, Boca Townsite Trail, and Truckee River Recreational Access Site; and 
  • Truckee River Watershed Council - $40,000 for constructing sustainable recreation facilities and improving aging infrastructure on 30 acres of meadow and stream habitat in the Euer Valley, including installation of a boardwalk, repairing drainage and erosion failures along South Euer Valley Road, maintaining recreational access along the roadway, removing unsafe culvert crossing and the addition of a bridge along South Prosser Creek. 
"This award will help improve the visitor experience and safety at South Yuba River State Park, with increased messaging and information on parking, fire and river conditions, along with helping to mitigate some of the trash issues with better receptacles and new water stations to help eliminate single-use plastic bottles," states Sierra Gold Parks Foundation Board President Jesse Locks. 

Headwaters Science Program Director Alecia Weisman of SYRCL explains, “This funding supports trailhead development for the Van Norden Meadow Recreation Project, ultimately tying into an interpretive loop trail that will circumnavigate the sensitive meadow habitat and include educational signage to honor the complex history of the Summit Valley area and unique natural history of the meadow itself.” 

Projects were selected by a panel of community members and staff through a competitive process that involved a two-step evaluation. Projects will be completed by December 31, 2024, along with the nine projects that were previously awarded funding in the first round. 

Nevada County’s Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Grant Program was established and approved by the Board of Supervisors in April 2021 to provide up to $850,000 in one-time grants to respond to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 through promoting public health and safety at highly impacted outdoor recreation destinations. Additional consideration was given to those that support economic development, enhance equitable access, address climate change adaptation, and promote environmental sustainability and resilience.
​

For a list of projects, updates, and Recreation News, visit www.nevadacountyca.gov/Recreation.




https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=6912

Fire restrictions begin in Tahoe National Forest Aug. 1, 2023. Here’s how to avoid a $5,000 fine

8/1/2023

 
​Officials with the Tahoe National Forest announced fire restrictions will begin Tuesday as continuous hot, dry weather brings California into peak wildfire season. Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Eli Ilano announced the restrictions Monday, and said they will run through Nov. 1. You can read the Forest Order No. 17-23-08 HERE.

Here’s what you can and can’t do during the restriction period, and what the associated fines are for violating the order:
What’s not allowed under Tahoe’s restriction order

 - Under the restriction order, visitors to Tahoe National Forest cannot start campfires except in the designated recreation areas listed in the order.
 - Smoking is also not allowed unless in a vehicle or building that is enclosed, in one of the listed recreation areas or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that does not contain flammable material, according to the order.
 - Visitors cannot drive gas or diesel vehicles or machines off of designated roads and trails, according to the order, except within the Prosser Pits Developed Off-Highway Vehicle Area and boats that are on the water.

​
Around 90% of wildfires are started by humans, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association. Things like unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes and using equipment that creates sparks can cause them.

Violators of the order face a $5,000 fine, six months in jail, or both. The fine is doubled for organizations that break the order.
​
https://news.yahoo.com/fire-restrictions-begin-tahoe-national-232552230.html

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