With the exception of the University Connector (U-CON) Trail and the Rincon Connector Trail (to Cowell State Park), bicyclists are not permitted on Pogonip trails.

Nevertheless, there have been increasing numbers of bikers observed on all Pogonip trails, riding where they are not permitted. We have received recent reports of such illegal behavior, which are illustrated below.

One problem has been lack of enforcement. The table here shows a citation log, recently provided to us by the Department of Parks and Recreation staff. As can be seen, there has been only one bicyclist cited for the time period covered by the table, and that one in 2010.

We are still accepting reports of any illegal bikers you might observe—so feel free to submit them, and we'll post them on this page.

• On February 26, 2012, shortly after noon on the Spring Trail, three mountain bikers were observed approaching a group of walkers from the north, travelling quite fast. When asked “Did you know that bikes are not allowed on this trail?”, the lead biker said “Yes. We don't care”. It turned out that one of the walkers had a camera, and photographed them as they slowed down, and then sped on their way.

1. Bikers approach a group of walkers…

2. They ride by, scattering the walkers…

3. A few seconds later…

4. The bikers leave the scene.

• On February 22, 2012, we received this report: “I was walking on the Spring Trail at appoximately 9 am this morning, between the Spring Street entrance and the Lookout Trail. There was a City Parks & Rec truck parked along the trail, and I said hello to the Ranger who was pulling broom. Shortly after I saw him, I saw the bicyclist and informed him that the trail was closed to bikes. He ignored me. Approximately 1 minute later, he would have pedaled right past the ranger. It will be interesting to see if the ranger reported it.”

• On February 19, 2012, at approximately 2:00 pm, a mountain biker was observed on the Fern Trail near the bridge over Redwood Creek.

• On February 18, 2012, two bikers were observed on the Spring Trail biking northward towards the Lookout Trail. They were seen again, resting, at the top of the U-CON Trail.

First biker

Second biker

• In the afternoon of February 17, 2012, a single biker was observed travelling south on the Spring Trail, approaching the Spring Street entrance. Some little kids screamed and jumped off the trail as he went by but they may have just been having fun.

• At approximately 4:20 pm on February 12, a walker (with two friends) on the Spring Trail observed a pair of mountain bikers. The walker stated: “Two men on bicycles rode by us and I told them, ‘Bicycles are not allowed on this trail.’ They completely ignored us, passed by us, and kept riding.”

• On February 3, 2012, a biker was observed on the Spring Trail near the Fern Trail, going from the Fern Trail towards Spring Street.

• On January 19, 2012, a biker was observed on the Spring Trail between the Lookout Trail and Spring Street going fast towards Spring Street.

A biker on the Spring Trail

• On January 17, 2012, on the Spring Trail between the water trough and Lookout Trail going towards Spring Street going fast weaving around pedestrians.

• On January 13, 2012, at approximately 5 pm, a biker was observed. The reporter states: “[I saw] one mountain biker, age mid-50s (bearded, fully decked-out in grey-black spandex, logo gear as if he were going to the Olympics) going up from Golf Club Drive entrance as I was leaving.”

• On November 27, 2011, a group of bicyclists were observed. The observer states: “In mid-afternoon, I saw a group (3 or 4 bicyclists) on the Pogonip, headed up Golf Club Drive towards the Clubhouse; where they went from there I don't know.”