Local volunteers who maintain the La Jolla Bike Path have discovered a small network of makeshift, unauthorized trails on the slopes and hills above the path and are working to get the city of San Diego involved.
Some of those trails, initially seen in January, were made by moving dirt to clear a space and creating small mounds and/or holes in the ground to jump over. Others were made by cutting back native vegetation to widen existing walking paths. Many of the paths have steep grades, and at least one ends at the street.
In some cases, mounds that were removed or holes that were filled were re-established later, volunteers say. In other cases, dead plants that were moved to block the paths were cleared soon after.
Volunteers say they’ve gotten reports of youths riding bikes on the trails and that some of them have been caught with tools for cutting vegetation.
Now volunteers are looking to partner with the city to get more signs and possibly more plants in some areas to deter future makeshift trails.
Volunteer Debbie Adams told the La Jolla Light that city staff recently put up orange netting to try to keep people from riding on the steep slopes immediately east of the path that contain native vegetation.
The volunteers have an ongoing right-of-entry permit to conduct work along the bike path, and they want to make sure the additional efforts are allowed under the permit.
They regularly remove invasive plants to install native vegetation; remove trash, dog waste and debris; cut back and remove dry brush to reduce fire risk; prune trees to increase visibility; and more.
Volunteers recently took city representatives to the area to see the situation for themselves in the hope the city will install official signs spelling out the rules for bicyclists, including speed limits and the message that off-roading is prohibited. The makeshift trails bring additional concerns about increased erosion and damage to natural habitats.
Existing signs mostly indicate that motorized vehicles are not allowed on the bike path itself.
City staff did not have an immediate comment to the Light.
A police report filed recently cited “extensive damage” to the slopes as a result of unauthorized trails.
“The dirt tracks and jumps created by digging and cutting into native vegetation are the work of young bikers who have ignored the warnings of both residents and walkers,” volunteers wrote.
A meeting with representatives of the San Diego Police Department is planned for Thursday, Feb. 12.
The La Jolla Bike Path runs between Nautilus Street and Mira Monte and is used by cyclists and pedestrians. Only regular bicycles and Class 1 and 2 electric bikes are permitted on the path. Gas-powered motorized bikes, higher-speed Class 3 e-bikes and larger vehicles are not allowed.
There also are connecting unpaved walking paths that continue south to Camino de la Costa. Some of that section is owned by La Jolla United Methodist Church.
During an informal survey of the path the morning of Jan. 30, volunteers counted 23 walkers, seven runners, 23 young cyclists, nine adult cyclists and 22 e-bike riders. ♦