HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/16/2023 Item 7d, Johnson
Trent Johnson <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Righetti Hill Trail
This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond.
Dear San Luis Obispo Council Members,
I am writing to express my concern about the proposal to convert the Righetti Hill trail to hiking only and prohibit bike
riding. As a resident of the Laguna Lake Neighborhood, Irish Hills is my nearest trail system. I am a trail runner, hiker,
cyclist and parent of three children, and I strongly urge you to reconsider this proposal.
First and foremost, there is plenty of room for all users on this trail. In fact, the trail is wide enough to accommodate
both hikers and cyclists without causing any conflicts. It is important to remember that many people enjoy outdoor
activities, and we should not be excluding any particular group from using this public space. I personally always use a
bell when I ride on the trails, alerting hikers and runners to my presence.
Secondly, the Righetti hill trail is one of the less technical trails in Irish Hills, which makes it an ideal place for cyclists of
different abilities to progress. It offers a great opportunity for beginners to improve their skills. By prohibiting bike riding
on this trail, we would be denying cyclists the chance to enjoy this fantastic resource and potentially pushing them
towards more challenging trails, which may not be as safe and lead to more injuries.
Thirdly, the Righetti hill trail is infrequently used by both bikes and hikers alike. In the attached Strava heatmap, you can
see that users self-identified as "Runners" use this segment of trail far less than all other connecting segments in Irish
hills (lighter yellow/red tracks).
Figure. Irish Hills, Strava Heat Map (May, 2023)
1
Fourth, the Righetti hill trail provides a dry alternative to the often muddy Mariposa trail, which is heavily impacted by
rain. During wet weather conditions and for weeks following, Mariposa trail becomes slippery and dangerous for both
hikers and cyclists. While some cyclists continue to ride it before it dries, other cyclists use the Righetti trail to complete
a loop, and as an alternative to getting back home as it dries out much quicker.
Finally, for hikers in search of solitude, there are ample options In San Luis Obispo that prohibit cyclists, both in Irish
Hills and elsewhere. From Prospector trail, Bog Thistle trail, or the entire mountains of Bishop's Peak, Islay, and the
South Hills to name just a few.
In conclusion, I urge you to reconsider the proposal to prohibit bike riding on the Righetti hill trail. There is ample room
for all users, and the trail provides a great opportunity for cyclists of different abilities to progress. Additionally, it offers
a dry alternative to the often muddy Mariposa trail, which is essential during the wetter months. I believe that by
keeping this trail open to all users, we can continue to promote a healthy and active lifestyle for everyone in the
community. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Trent Johnson
SLO City Resident
2