Class 1 e-bike riders have passed MMWD test

I have been riding mountain bikes on Mount Tamalpais since 1983. For seven months in 2018, I was a member of the Marin Municipal Water District Citizens Advisory Committee on electric-assist bikes. I am a founding member of E-Bikeaccess.org.

I ride every Sunday with a group we call the “Over the

Hill Gang.” Our ride has taken on religious regularity and the group has expanded through mutual friendships to include about 20 men. Half of us now ride class 1 e-bikes.

On a recent Sunday, the group (with four of us on ebikes) completed a 31-mile trip. It began with our usual ride up Shaver Grade at 8 a.m., before congregating at the Lagunitas dam. We headed up Rock Springs past Potrero Meadows, to Pantoll Station, up Old Stage to the West Point Inn and down Hoo-Koo-E-Koo to Crown Road and then down to Woodlands Market for lunch.

Our ages are 68, 73, 77 and 84 years old. Three of us have been riding Mount Tam together for 40 years. We are typical of many bike riders who have transitioned to class 1 ebikes to continue their weekly rides and maintain their health and friendships.

Under the current MMWD policy, we are considered outlaws for riding our e-bikes. It is time for the staff and directors to remedy a long overdue change in policy and give class 1 e-bikes the right to ride where other bikes are allowed. E-bikes have been on Mount Tam for 16 years, I have been riding mine for eight years.

We have already had a long trial period and have passed the test. It is time to change the policy and officially allow class 1 e-bikes to ride where other bikes are allowed.