Class 1 e-bikes should be allowed on watershed

The Marin Municipal Water District should allow class 1 electric-assist bikes on the Mount Tamalpais watershed for the following reasons:

• E-bikes allow Marin’s increasingly older population and those with disabilities to enjoy outdoor recreation, which helps with our physical and mental health.

• The Golden Gate National Recreation Area allows class 1 e-bikes the same access as other bicycles — without any problems.

• Class 1 e-bikes’ environmental impact is no greater than other bicycles and water quality hasn’t been impaired by bicycle use of any kind.

• Officially allowing e-bikes won’t result in a significant increase in crowds because, in my experience, most e-bikers are unaware that an unenforced ban on e-bikes exists on the watershed.

• The “user conflict” issue is overblown. The recent survey showed that only 1% of people feel unsafe. They attributed the cause to many things such as coyotes, horses, dogs off leash and some rude cyclists. That’s no reason to exclude e-bikes as a class.