Local Cycling Enthusiasts Establish 30+ Miles of Big Bear Bike Routes

Though only formed in June of 2006, the Big Bear Valley Trails Coalition has already made their mark, as evidenced by 37 “share the road” signs installed around the perimeter of Big Bear Lake. The group’s steering committee of 13, originally formed as a coalition of the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District, has garnered the support of the City of Big Bear Lake, CalTrans and San Bernardino County in an effort to establish bike routes accompanied by signage throughout the Valley. The bike coalition’s Phil Hamilton and Randall Putz outlined their progress before City Council this week, and pointed out that there are now 15 miles of Class 3 bike routes in Big Bear Lake and, in the East Valley, now 17 miles of Class 3 routes. Hamilton told Council that his dream is being realized as, he noted, “We have completed a very thorough map of those city routes.” The new color maps have been distributed in 75 locations throughout the Valley, including the Visitor Center and the Big Bear Discovery Center. Putz points out that on the front of the 5,000 maps they’ve printed is a color-coded map and, he added, “On the back side we have what I call idiot-proof instructions.” The next effort by the Big Bear Valley Trails Coalition will be to compile a Valley-wide trail guide; to that end, “trailstorming” sessions will be held later this month, to inventory all possible trails, roads and routes for mountain bikers and cyclists. The group also continues efforts to establish a bike route from Stanfield Cutoff to Division, and a trail in the Baldwin Lake area.