Providing safe access for all on Half Moon Bay’s Coastal Trail

Half Moon Bay councilmembers have been duly concerned about potential conflicts between fast-moving electric bikes and other users of the Coastal Trail, and have sought to limit e-bike riders to other, more suitable trails where there are fewer potential impacts to pedestrians and the natural environment.

However, at a recent workshop on e-bikes on city-owned trails and paths, the Half Moon Bay City Council was distressed to hear that a new state law, Assembly Bill 1909, had removed language allowing jurisdictions to regulate the use of Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes on the Coastal Trail. Although the effect of this change in the law remains a bit murky due to ambiguous language, the City Council felt obligated to abandon its previous efforts to ban e-bikes on this scenic recreational trail.  

Why e-bikes are a concern on the Coastal Trail

E-bikes have become increasingly popular in recent years, raising concerns about the impacts of fast-moving motorized devices on other trail users.

For many mobility impaired people, the presence of fast-moving e-bikes, e-scooters, motorized boards, etc. (to say nothing of speeding regular bikes) is too much of a risk. They can’t quickly jump out of the way, and older trail users will especially fear a collision or even a loss of balance, as falls are a leading cause of injury and death among seniors. Families with small children, and people who seek a quieter connection with nature are similarly discouraged or excluded when e-bikes are present. As a result, a significant segment of our population is currently “recreationally displaced” from the Coastal Trail in Half Moon Bay.  

A solution that accommodates everyone

The Half Moon Bay City Council is considering an ingenious solution to this dilemma: a redesigned Coastal Trail on separate, parallel alignments that would have different surfaces: 1). a path for walkers, runners and people who are mobility-challenged, with a permeable, compacted surface such as decomposed granite, and 2). an adjacent paved trail for faster moving bikes and e-bikes. An existing adjacent, unpaved equestrian trail would continue to accommodate horses. The redesigned trail would ideally include turnouts and overlooks where people can stop to enjoy ocean views and the restorative benefits of nature.  

The benefits of this trail redesign would not only provide pedestrians with a safer and more peaceful trail experience, it would also provide maximum public access for all users, as mandated by the California Coastal Act. Half Moon Bay’s local coastal plan also supports equitable access for all on the Coastal Trail, requiring that “public access and recreational opportunities account for the social, physical and economic needs of all people.”

The California Coastal Trail, now about 70% complete, is an integrated network of trails that, when completed, will provide an opportunity to hike and bike the length of California’s 1,230-mile coastline.  

Santa Cruz has already created safe and separate pedestrian and bike paths along two segments of its Coastal Trail; at Twin Lakes State Beach and Pleasure Point Parkway. Hopefully, Half Moon Bay will not be far behind in achieving equitable access, so everyone will be able to safely enjoy the beauty of the city’s Coastal Trail.    

Lennie Roberts is the legislative advocate for Green Foothills.