With only a fast-approaching rattling noise from behind to warn me, I leapt off the trail to my right to avoid being struck by the mountain biker sailing by me. He was first in a group of what would be eight young adult riders who would go by in quick succession, none with warning bells.
Pleased to be uninjured this time, I continued on. Though, this scare caused me to reflect on the ways mountain biking has changed since I used to ride area trails, some 15 years back. The equipment has advanced significantly, but the style of riding has changed as well, particularly on the downhill. Today’s riders skim the tops of the higher rocks and features and descend down the single track at breakneck speed. It’s impressive but hugely unsafe for hikers.
This near-miss happened on the upper section of the Lemon Grove trail on Cerro San Luis. When San Luis Obispo city administrators were designing trail rules for this trail and others some 20 years and longer ago, the average style of downhill riding was slow and methodical. It is entirely different today with riders cruising at speeds that were unimaginable when decisions were made to allow both mountain bikes and hiking on the same trails.
With the high number of older hikers, as well as young families and kids hiking the trails, an approaching tragedy is entirely foreseeable. The city must reevaluate the SLO greenbelt trails and decide which will be assigned for mountain biking and which to hiking.
Jim Slade
San Luis Obispo
This article appears in June 25 – July 2, 2026.
Yeah, as a still active mountain biker who started in the mid 1970 things certainly have changed. Part of the issue is everyone is focused on their PR( personal record). Whereas it used to be a feat just to not have to put a foot down, modern mountain bikes are as fast or faster than motorcycles on the downhill. Apps like Strava create an atmosphere of ego driven competition even when riding alone. In my opinion it’s the bikers that really need to check themselves. All it’s going to take is one close call with some city leader out on a hike and mountain biking will be banned due to safety. I also ride street bikes and love the thrill that comes with speed in both disciplines. But, there is a right place for speed and a wrong place for speed. Even with a bell there is little or no warning for hikers when a mountain bike is doing near 30mph. So my suggestion is bikers slow down and ride don’t race, and hikers pull your headphones out of your…..ears pay attention and both parties learn the art of share and respect. Otherwise there will be a change that will likely result in the loss of some of the best mountain bike trails in the country. In my humble opinion
couldn’t agree more. bikers scare off all the wildlife, they obnoxiously make you move while they ride by (which they are not supposed to do!), and they make hiking stressful with their bells and large groups. I’ve seen them run over and kill small snakes too. What i wouldn’t give to have them off of the pismo preserve!