Dear Motherlode Bicycle Coalition Members,

It’s summertime and we’re out riding our bikes in the California Foothills and Sierra Mountain Passes.

The Motherlode Bicycle Coalition (MLBC) was founded in 2017 by Motherlode residents interested in promoting cycling, putting on bike events, and advocating for safe transportation infrastructure at the local government level and within Caltrans District 10. More information: https://motherlodebike.org/

MLBC’s 2024 Board Members are Ben Cook, Timothy England, Siobhán Hayes, Mark Schwartz, Karen Curley, Dwight Follen, Robert Leibold, Emily Kay and Rob Williams.

We live in and represent Tuolumne, Alpine, and Calaveras County communities. We ride paved and gravel roads, mountain bike trails and parks, and mountain passes in the Central Sierra. We fix and give away bikes. We ride for fun and for transportation. We are a coalition of cycling enthusiasts and partner organizations representing a broad spectrum of bike riding interests.

Together, we’re breaking down barriers to make cycling more accessible for everyone.

Board Member Highlight
Karen Curley is the MLBC Secretary AND non-profit director of WeDeliver Wheels. This wonderful organization provides bicycles and cycling gear to under-served communities in the California Central Valley and foothills. She is passionate about philanthropy and was huge proponent for corporate social responsibility in her previous program management career at DocuSign, Salesforce and Adobe. She is a long-time participant in cycling fundraising events including Climate Ride, AIDS/LifeCycle and National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She lives in Copperopolis with her husband, four cats and Bob the Snake. Besides cycling, she loves to ski, hike, kayak, swim and dance. Thanks to Karen for her dedication!

Groveland Presidential Volunteer Award
The Groveland Trail Heads received the President’s Volunteer Services Award – Gold Level at a Forest Service community meeting in Groveland this month. This was in recognition of volunteer hours in 2023 that equaled 6 months of 40 hour work weeks – a huge achievement! The dedication of this volunteer advocacy group was duly noticed by the White House, and we are proud to work alongside Dwight and his team to continue building this community!

So what have we been up to?

California Bicycle Coalition

The Motherlode Bicycle Coalition is an educational project of the California Bicycle Coalition. CalBike is a statewide bike advocacy organization that works to change policy, unite advocates, build infrastructure, reduce carbon emissions, and encourage bicycling to create safer streets for all Californians. The current CalBike  initiatives include Complete Streets, E Bike Vouchers, and transportation accessibility for all Californians. The MLBC Board meets quarterly with the CalBike Executive Director to support each other in our collective missions.

In early April 2024, three MLBC Board Members attended the annual CalBike Summit in San Diego. At this summit MLBC Board Member Mark Schwartz, presented a talk about the economic and social impacts of the 43rd annual Death Ride. Board Members also attended meetings about in the inner workings of Caltrans, Complete Streets, e bike vouchers and elderly bike programs.

The Motherlode Bicycle Coalition maintains the BikeValleytoSierra website to promote the Central Sierra as a bike riding destination.

In 2020 Caltrans and CalBike received a SB 1 Sustainable Active Transportation grant and completed a study regarding bike tourism and its economic impact on local economies in five counties. The Motherlode Bicycle Coalition participated in the development of this study and final report.

The final report is located at www.BikeValleytoSierra.com along with economic data showing the benefits of bike tourism and a testimonial video of business and civic leaders supporting bike tourism. The MLBC currently maintains the BikeValleytoSierra website to promote the Central Sierra as a cycling destination. Subscribers to this website include stakeholders who participated in the Bike Tourism Study: transportation planners, bike friendly businesses, civic and nonprofit leaders.

Advocacy
The MLBC helped establish the Caltrans District 10 Bike Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) in 2022. We currently have two MLBC Board Members representing our organization on the Caltrans D10 BPAC, Alpine and Calaveras Counties.

Local and D10 Bike Advocacy Efforts:

• Proposed the opening of Ebbetts Pass for running, cycling and hiking, without vehicles in May 2025.
• Partnered  with the Scenic Ebbetts Pass Byway Association and D10 BPAC to plan RunBikeHike Day along Highway 4 when closed to vehicles in May 2025.
• Continued Rumble Strip Policy discussion with final resolution agreement, see below for more information.
• Continued discussion regarding Bike Events Permitting and Fees in D10
• Submitting Caltrans and county road shoulder maintenance requests in Calaveras and Amador Counties.
• Advocated for upgrading the Michelson School/Feeney Park CA-4 crosswalk in Murphys to a HAWK System (High Intensity Activated Crosswalk)
• Submitted a Letter of Support to the Calaveras County Public Works Departments Highway Safety Improvement Project for funding and building a HAWK System in Murphys, California.

Calaveras County Active Transportation and Recreational Trails Plan
This plan aims to identify opportunities for expanded bicycle, pedestrian, and hiking facilities. Your input is a critical element in the development of the Calaveras County Active Transportation and Recreational Trails Plan!

Any comments during the ATRTP process are documented, reviewed, and incorporated into the final plan as appropriate. Take the survey and add your comments/thoughts to the online interactive map now!

Grant Funding

In December 2023, the Calaveras High School FFA Program submitted a grant proposal to the California State Parks Outdoor Education Equity Grants Program. The purpose of the Program is “to increase the ability of residents in underserved communities to participate in outdoor experiences within their community, at state parks, and other public lands”. MLBC requested funds to get kids riding on local trails. Stay tuned as we await a decision from the funder.

Calaveras Community Foundation Grant
In the Caltrans/CalBike Bicycling Tourism Study, BikeValleytoSierra Final Report bike signage is identified as a first step to planning and promoting safe bicycling networks.

The MLBC is submitting a Calaveras County Foundation grant to purchase and post five Wayfinding Scenic Bike Roads and downtown bike amenities. These signs and amenities will guide and encourage bicycling in Calaveras County and the Showcase Area of Angels Camp and Murphys. Additional funding requests to add road signage will continue in 2025-2027. This grant will make bicycling safer for residents and support economic tourism.

Development of New Bike Trails and Bike Parks
MLBC is currently working with San Andreas Parks and Recreation District to redesign the Turner Park Pump Track. Once the weather improves, we will be seeking donations of clean soil and will be reaching out to our membership for help with construction – stay tuned!

Recent Bike Events
● May 4, 2024 Arnold Rim Trail Bike-a-Palooza
● June 1, 2024 Ride2BearValley
● June 8, 2024 Groveland Grind
● June 18, 2024 Blue Zones/MLBC Sonora Bike Day at Indigeny Reserve

Upcoming Bike Events
● September 13/14, 2024 Support the Gold Country Classic Tour de Twain – 20 mile self guided bike tour of Angels Camp and Murphys. 1,500 feet of elevation gain, approximately 90 minutes with rest stop in Murphys

What is the Status of Rumble Strips in D10?

At the April 10, 2024 BPAC Meeting a final discussion of the Rumble Strip subcommittee resulted in the following statement by D10!

“We intend to find ways to address this issue (rumble strips) by giving attention to edge line rumble strips from a more place-specific context, breaking down the concern into a scope that is more manageable, rather than only seeing the issue as a district wide or statewide concern.  Seeing the conflict that these types of rumble strips have on bicyclists using the highways through a framework comparable to that of a more specific “environmentally sensitive area/location” may be a useful way to address the problem that helps Caltrans D10 work with the BPAC and agency partners at a more palatable scale, one location after another. The 2021 Bike Valley to Sierra Final Report and the 2021 District 10 CAT Plan are documents that the BPAC and the District can use to help address where rumble strip concerns have already been identified, and to identify a kind of prioritization of segments on the state highway system to go to first to address rumble strip concerns.”

Here’s what you can do to help:
If you would like to learn more or get more involved in MLBC’s advocacy effort regarding rumble strips, please contact Rob Williams @ mlbcrob@gmail.com

Become a MLBC Member

Your membership dues contribute to the basic costs of maintaining a rural bike advocacy organization including event expenses, web hosting fees, virtual meeting platform subscriptions, and the cost of attending the annual CalBike State Summit.

Help us by renewing your $25 yearly membership here.

With your energy, experience, and membership, we can work together to:

• Build bicycle-friendly communities
• Break down barriers to cycling
• Improve air quality and public health
• Educate cyclists and motorists on Sharing the Road
• Promote bike rides and routes in the Motherlode
• Organize more bicycle events to promote cycling, increase public awareness, and have fun

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Strava Clubs Ride Events: Motherlode Bicycle Coalition
Flipboard: California Bike Pedestrian News, MLBC News, Northern California Bike News
Threads:motherlodebike
Caltrans District 10 BPAC
GoCalaveras

Our Partners
WeDeliver Wheels
Groveland Trail Heads
209Adventure Club
Waranerosa Mountain Retreat
VeloPromo
Arnold Rim Trail Association
Mountain Pedaler
Mountain Aloha Mountain Bike Co
Sonora Cyclery
Jackson Bike and Board
Blue Zones of Tuolumne County
Calaveras County Arts Council
Dodge Ridge and Bear Valley Mountain Bike Parks
Bear Valley Adventure Company
FROGTOWN BMX International Classic
GoCalaveras Visitors Bureau

Copyright © 2024 Motherlode Bicycle Coalition, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Motherlode Bicycle Coalition, 8977 Siegel Street Valley Springs,CA 95252