New Infrastructure Improvements for Bikers in Marin

MARIN’S CYCLING LEGACY is undeniable. The county is the birthplace of mountain biking, home to many reputable bike shops, and the setting for successful annual racing events like Tour de MALT, Cykelscramble and Biketoberfest. All these facts add up to one truth: if you ride and have a taste for adventure, Marin is your place. And the quality of biking here is continually advancing: various groups are working on a number of bike-related projects seemingly all the time. Here are some recent updates and soon-to-completed upgrades.

marinbike.org

In San Rafael, the County of Marin painted buffered bike lanes and added new curb returns at each corner on Miller Creek Road between Las Gallinas and Marinwood avenues. The changes shorten crossing distances for pedestrians and the new striping makes it easier for bikers to access the Pacheco Hill Pathway.

The Marin County Open Space team is rerouting “the Plunge” on Old Railroad Grade trail near White Hill in Fairfax. This work includes a gentler grade and a bridge to replace the steep and erosive drop.

Farther west in Fairfax, crews are working on the two-mile Contour Trail Complex, which includes three trails that will make a good loop option in the Giacomini Open Space Preserve.

In Mill Valley, the multiuse connector near the summit of Camino Alto and a hiker/biker trail from Escalon Fire Road down to Del Casa Road are being improved.

This article originally appeared in Marin Magazine’s print edition with the headline: “Improvements Ahead”.


Kasia Pawlowska

Kasia Pawlowska loves words. A native of Poland, Kasia moved to the States when she was seven. The San Francisco State University creative writing graduate went on to write for publications like the San Francisco Bay Guardian and KQED Arts among others prior to joining the Marin Magazine staff. Topics Kasia has covered include travel, trends, mushroom hunting, an award-winning series on social media addiction and loads of other random things. When she’s not busy blogging or researching and writing articles, she’s either at home writing postcards and reading or going to shows. Recently, Kasia has been trying to branch out and diversify, ie: use different emojis. Her quest for the perfect chip is never-ending.