The objective of the Trail Sharing Pilot Program is to examine new approaches to safely share trails and improve the trail experience for all visitors. On select existing watershed trails, Marin Water will collect data relating to visitor patterns, environmental conditions, and compliance with District regulations to evaluate various trail sharing strategies.

The pilot program will test new methods to safely share a select number of trails and improve the trail experience for all users while protecting habitat, wildlife and water quality. Trail-sharing strategies include: 

• Trail types by user group 
  • Hiker and biker trail 
  • Hiker, biker and equestrian trail 
• Sharing strategies 
  • Directional trail for bike access 
  • Days of the week portioning for user groups 
  • Road to trail conversions 
  • Bike trail experience 
• Strategic connections 
  • Loops 
  • Range of technical difficulty for all users while protecting habitat, wildlife and water quality

The two-year pilot program was set to begin October 2024, but has been postponed due to legal challenge. For more information, read Marin Water’s Oct. 3, 2024 statement.

The data and feedback collected through the Trail Sharing Pilot Program will ultimately inform future updates to the Watershed Road and Trail Management Plan. Leading up to this next step, Marin Water will host a robust and inclusive stakeholder engagement process. Updates to the Road and Trail Management Plan will aim to mitigate social trails and environmental impacts while improving experiences for all types of visitors and connecting them with the watershed in a meaningful way.

The Trail Sharing Pilot Program includes a total of 6.65 miles of trails, which represents approximately 10% of the system trails within the Mt. Tam Watershed.

Not all watershed trails will be open to bikes as part of the Trail Sharing Pilot Program. It is important at this stage to proceed with a subset of potential trails to evaluate the program and inform future decision-making. It is not the intention of the program to recommend strategies for all trails at the end of the pilot. To select the subset of watershed trails included in the pilot, Marin Water conducted a thorough trail assessment that reviewed biological resources, safety considerations, current visitor patterns, abiotic conditions, regulatory conditions and trail stewardship needs.

Review the trail sharing assessment results that were used to help inform the trail-sharing pilot. 

Marin Water will monitor the program and collect data through: 

• Trail counts – Conduct trail counts along pilot trail routes to collect data relating to visitor patterns. 
• Invasive plant surveys – Conduct surveys as part of Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) with mapping of any new invasive plants occurring along pilot trail routes to understand vegetation impacts from change of use. 
• Trail conditions – Establish monitoring transects to evaluate changes in trail width, tread condition, drainage and erosion. 
• Photo monitoring – Establish points to document trail conditions before, during and after pilot period. 
• Compliance – Increase patrols along pilot trails and adjacent trails to gather data on enforcement activities and efficacy of trail sharing methods. 
• Visitor experience – Conduct two rounds of visitor surveys to understand perceptions, experiences and conflicts along pilot trails. 
• Stewardship opportunities – Evaluate the frequency and efficacy of enhanced community trail stewardship opportunities.

The adaptive management approach built into the Trail Sharing Pilot Program will allow Marin Water staff to evaluate the needs for seasonal closures. Initially there will not be seasonal restrictions, but if staff identify issues on a pilot program trail, then Marin Water may establish a seasonal closure and update the associated regulation signage along that trail.

The objective of the E-Bike Class 1 Trial is to evaluate changes in e-bike usage and how the inclusion of class 1 e-bikes influences visitors’ watershed experience. Evaluating the inclusion of class 1 e-bikes on existing roads and trails within the watershed where conventional bicycles are permitted – including any new trails under the Trail Sharing Pilot Program – will provide critical data to inform the District’s future watershed management and policy decisions.

The e-bike trial was set to begin October 2024 and continue for a period of up to two years, but has been postponed due to legal challenge. For more information, read Marin Water’s Oct. 3, 2024 statement.

Upon conclusion of the trial period, the Board will review the collected data and make a determination regarding the permanent status of class 1 e-bikes on the watershed, including any necessary amendments to District policies and regulations.

During the trial period, class 1 e-bikes are permitted on watershed roads and trails where conventional bikes are allowed. Class 2 and 3 e-bikes remain prohibited.

Evaluating the allowance of class 1 e-bikes on the watershed where conventional bicycles are allowed will help inform Marin Water’s policy decision and future analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. 

The data collection process for the E-Bike Class 1 Trial will include: 

• Trail counters at key entrances to understand the approximate number of bikes on the watershed
• Two rounds of visitor surveys to understand perceptions, experiences and conflicts over the trial period

Marin Water has a team of rangers and ranger trainees on its staff who are charged with a range of watershed duties, including to help ensure the safety of visitors, protection of the watershed, and compliance with rules and regulations. 

Ranger patrol efforts will be increased along pilot trails and adjacent trails to educate visitors and ensure compliance of rules and regulations. At times, rangers will patrol the pilot trails on bikes to better monitor activity, communicate with users and address problems. Select rangers have received certification through a law enforcement bike patrol course in support of this effort. 

Speed limits of 15 MPH will be maintained on all pilot programs trails (and 5 MPH when passing someone), as well as slow zones identified at key locations. Enhanced signage has been installed along trails and at trailheads to educate visitors on expected behavior and allowed use. 

Marin Water rangers will monitor social trails in the vicinity of the pilot program trails to evaluate illegal use. Rangers will also be doing proactive patrols along pilot program trails to help educate, collect data relating to visitor use and enforce trail regulations. Data from these patrols will be integrated into the pilot program monitoring documents.

Marin Water will evaluate the Trail Sharing Pilot Program wholistically based on the identified monitoring. As part of the pilot program, Marin Water staff will monitor trail conditions and issues arising along the multi-use trails. This information will help inform trail standards and design considerations that could be incorporated into the update to Marin Water’s Watershed Road and Trail Management Plan.

Marin Water is developing a reporting document to track data collected through the pilot program period and will publish data periodically as it becomes available. The pilot program will need to run for a period of time before data can be collected and shared. The initial data will be associated with the visitor survey carried out along pilot program trails.

All visitors will play an active role in making these programs a success. In addition to the efforts Marin Water is taking to educate visitors on rules and expectations, we are also looking to our partners and community groups to help educate visitors on how to recreate responsibly on the watershed, comply with our regulations and support other visitors. If these programs are a success, they will lead to an improved experience for all different user groups. Through meaningful conversation about visitor access and restoration opportunities, Marin Water aims to update its Watershed Roads and Trails Management Plan with long-term improvements to its system and stewardship of the Mt. Tam Watershed.

Marin Water’s volunteer program provides opportunities for the community to contribute to preserving our water supply, protecting biodiversity and caring for our shared natural resources. From improving trails, restoring habitat, and protecting endangered species, Marin Water offers a variety of volunteer opportunities to match your skills, interests and availability. 

You can do your part to support the pilot program by participating in Marin Water’s bolstered community trail stewardship events. To sign up to receive monthly volunteer opportunities email or register for an upcoming volunteer event, visit Volunteer Opportunities.

Marin Water created the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed Fund in 1996 to give watershed visitors the opportunity to help protect the mountain through a tax-deductible donation. Projects supported by donations to the fund are conducted with sensitivity to community concerns. Marin Water customers also have the option of making a donation to the fund on their water bills. Online donations can be made through the Marin Community Foundation’s website or by mailing a check to Marin Community Foundation, Attn: Mt. Tamalpais Watershed Fund, 5 Hamilton Landing, Suite 200, Novato, CA 94949. For more information, please call the Marin Community Foundation at 415.464.2500.

Use this online form to provide feedback and observations about the Trail Sharing Pilot and E-Bike Class 1 Trial programs. Marin Water staff will review all messages, though may not follow up directly to every submission. 

Marin Water will host periodic site visits along the pilot program trails, striving for quarterly visits open to all interested stakeholders. 

Subscribe here to receive email notifications and updates about the recreation management planning process, including information about stakeholder engagement opportunities. By subscribing, you will also receive Marin Water’s monthly e-news update containing information about water- and money-saving customer resources and rebates, the Mt. Tam Watershed, water supply and more.