That all has changed at the Colonnade, thanks to the efforts of their local bike club, the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance.

While it was something that didn’t happen overnight, through their dedicated efforts and the aid of the community, they succeeded in creating a major success story. This dead urban space is now a draw for the local community, and also brings in mountain bikers from all over, bolstering the local economy. It now is a destination on the local bike path, and also features a dog park for local community residents.

There is much we can take from the example of Seattle. It clearly is possible to create an urban riding destination, and a safe place for children as well as riders and enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. Let’s remember to shoot for the sky- there is no reason San Francisco shouldn’t be the next major city known for its urban riding opportunities. We have a great need for a place to ride for all user groups in the cycling family, and we can and will make it happen.

Here is a great documentary on the I-5 Colonnade Project:

For another great feature on the Seattle Skills Park, click here

Pete Weber of IMBA goes over the blue prints of the Valmont Bike Park Project

SFUR realizes that our stalwart troops may be in need of some inspiration.  Lord knows I catch myself seeking it.  Sometimes I catch myself thinking, why, oh why am I stuck loving mountain biking in the Bay Area, where so many people seem to misunderstand mountain bikers solely because they dress unusual, or move differently, or smile a lot because they are having fun.  No matter there’s a bit of dirt in our teeth.

Sometimes I think, why, I should move to Bend, I should move to Durango, I should move somewhere the singletrack is endless, somewhere the trails begin and end at my backdoor, and all the hikers and dogwalkers smile at me as I smile at them.

Then, in my wishings, I look at what other big, gritty, urban cities have done with spaces for off-road cycling:

Seattle, Washington is a classic example:

From Plans,

To Reality:

Even within our California, exist beautiful examples of what mountain bikers and cities working together can accomplish for the greater good…

Like Woodward, just outside of Fresno: It started as a well-wrought plan,

and turned into a most impressive reality

Even out in the big apple, out where the urban is as urban as it gets, good people have managed a plan,

Which soon became a reality:

It can and will happen here in San Francisco.  It’s up to us to team up and volunteer where we can make a difference. Any cyclists out there that would like to lend knowledgeable hands and/or minds to the process are always welcome.

SFUR is working on  a comprehensive plan for Bike Skills Development Areas  with Crocker Amazon,  McLaren & Golden Gate parks in mind.  We are sensitive of the natural areas of these parks, and look forward to working with the Natural Areas Program in the planning process.  We are getting support from IMBA, HilRide, and SF Rec & Park to help make this happen.

There’s so much more out there, and we’re only at the tip of this unstoppable movement.  Just think, in 20 years, the people that are paying for the nice houses next to the golf course, they won’t really care much for golf.  Maybe a few of them will.  Likely, more of them will want those beautifuly sculpted switchbacks and smoothly transitioning doubles you see above.  Soon, it will be trails and bike parks, not golf courses that are the highly prized and sought after recreational areas near homes.  It’s only a matter of time, and we’re just doing what we can to make SF a better place.  Stay tuned, yall.