Translate
May 5, 2025
Marin Water has reached a settlement agreement related to legal challenges over its e-bike and trail share pilot programs. As part of the agreement, the District could rescind both pilot programs, which were adopted in September 2024, in exchange for a dismissal of the lawsuit. The agreement also provides that the Board may proceed with a revised e-bike pilot program, permitting class I e-bikes on watershed roads where conventional bikes are currently allowed. The Board of Directors will consider approval of these actions at its May 6 regular meeting.
Marin Water will continue to explore options for bike access on select single-track trails on the watershed, and this will be done as part of a broader planning effort that will include community input throughout the process. Any future action in this area will be guided by additional California Environmental Quality Act review. Initial discussion about next steps for exploring trail access will be covered during a Roads and Trails planning update at a Watershed Committee Meeting in June.
We ask that all visitors to the watershed continue to follow current watershed rules.
How we got here
On September 3, 2024, the Marin Water Board of Directors approved two pilot programs: an e-bike pilot allowing e-bikes on all watershed roads where bicycles are currently permitted and a trail share pilot expanding bicycle access to select designated watershed trails. Following the adoption of these initiatives and prior to their launch, a lawsuit was filed alleging the pilots were not approved in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In response, the Marin County Superior Court issued a preliminary injunction, pausing implementation of both pilots pending full legal review. Since then, the District has engaged in negotiations with the plaintiffs, culminating in the recent settlement agreement.
While the District believes that its actions complied with CEQA, the settlement agreement provides a productive path forward in the best interests of the District and the greater community.