The quickest non-motorized trail users are mountain bikers. One careless rider is all it takes to ruin mountain bikers' reputation. The opposite is also accurate. One of the most effective lobbying strategies to increase bicycle use and prevent the closure of mountain bike routes is responsible riding.

The Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers (CCCMB), an IMBA Local partner, reported increased user conflict in California's Montaa De Oro State Park in 2010. The CCCMB sought to prevent the closing of existing trails and to persuade landowners to grant permission for brand-new mountain biking routes in the area. They needed to resolve the issue on the route in order to accomplish that. The Bells4Bikes Program was thus established.

It was an easy concept. Riders could take a bell to connect to their bike from boxes with bells that were put at trailheads. Horses can hear the bell from at least a quarter mile away, while humans can hear it from a distance of a few hundred yards. People might slow down or yield if necessary thanks to the ringing. Mountain cyclists then had the option of keeping the bell for $4 by donating or returning it in a box after their ride.

Director at Large for CCCMB After learning that other organizations were employing bells to reduce user conflict on multi-use trails, Bill Jenkins established the Bells4Bikes Program in Montaa De Oro.

The program's initial bells were distributed on Super Bowl Sunday in 2010. Later, the CCCMB expanded its bell program to cover the multipurpose paths in San Luis Obispo City. Soon, local companies started helping out. The program has had 27 bell sponsors thus far. In the area, other mountain biking and trail preservation organizations have also adopted a related scheme.

The Bells4Bikes Program has also been well received by local landowners, enabling CCCMB to open new trails in San Luis Obispo County for mountain biking and multi-use.

"Overall, everyone is quite appreciative to have bells on the trails, especially local equestrians and hikers," said CCCMB President Christie O'Hara. Many people always express gratitude as they pass by a bell.

Send an email to bill@cccmb.org if your club or group would like additional information about acquiring bells or launching a program.

You can use different Electra bells made by IMBA Corporate Partner Trek to warn other trail users and encourage trail sharing.