Access To Singletrack Is On The Ballot In The Upcoming November 8, 2022 Election
Cycling has always been allowed on the singletrack in Belmont’s open space. The fate of that access hangs in the balance in Belmont’s Mayoral election this November.
There are two candidates running for mayor. One of them—Warren Lieberman—is calling to ban bikes on singletrack and designate hiker-only trails in Waterdog. Julia Mates is not. Her campaign website www.juliamates.com says “I’ll maintain our amazing parks, trails, and open spaces and ensure safety for hikers and all users.” (emphasis added.)
We support Julia Mates. She is reasonable and open-minded, she wants to do what’s best for the whole community, and is willing to listen to the science and findings of the City staff and its environmental consultants—both of whom have recommended that multi-use access to Waterdog’s trails is sustainable, and can continue. Unlike her opponent, Julia won’t simply cast staff and consultant recommendations aside because they’re inconsistent with an anti-cycling agenda.
The other candidate, Warren Lieberman, is a 17-year politician who has made it clear he believes Waterdog’s trails should be segregated and that “hiker only” trails should be designated. He’s endorsed by several former Belmont politicians who have been out of office for significant periods of time, even decades, and no longer reflect the views of the community. ,
If Warren Lieberman is elected, he’ll work to ban bicycles from Waterdog’s singletrack. Why do we say that? Look at what he’s already said:
“You can’t have people on the narrow trail who feel like they are going to get run over by bicyclists…it means you have to start figuring out how to divide up the resource.” “2 Running for Belmont Mayor” San Mateo Daily Journal, 9/19/22
“Lieberman said questions remain around if bicyclists and hikers should be on all the same trail”, and, “he believes some trails should only be for hikers.” “Belmont to Discuss Parks Master Plan” San Mateo Daily Journal, 7/12/22
Belmont has always allowed multi-use access (bike/hike/run/dog) on all of Waterdog’s trails. This policy has served our community well for over 30 years. If Warren Lieberman becomes mayor, radical and unprecedented restrictions to trail access could be coming.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Vote for Julia Mates for mayor on November 8, 2022.
Donate to Julia’s campaign—This is a very competitive race, and it costs money to run campaigns. Her website www.juliamates.com has a donation button on the main page. Mr. Lieberman’s campaign has very deep pockets—he’s plastering signs all over the city, and sending out slick, full-color mailers. According to public campaign finance documents, Mr. Lieberman’s campaign war chest has $50,670 in contributions, mostly from a $45,000 loan he made to himself. Julia’s campaign has only raised $17,351, mostly from small, individual donors. Don’t let wealthy candidates buy their way into office—Julia needs your help to get her message out. There’s other ways to help without donating, such as posting a sign in your yard, or volunteering to walk precincts; use the contact form on Julia’s website.
Get the word out to your friends and neighbors that Julia Mates is the better choice for Belmont—not only on open space—but because she has a fresher perspective on all issues facing the city. Lieberman has been in office for 17 years, and he is likely to cater to elite special interests, like the small group of homeowners next to Waterdog who have been lobbying to get bikes banned from the singletrack. Julia is working for the whole community; she is the mayor for the rest of us. She is endorsed by our current state senator and assemblypersons, and four current members of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. Mr. Lieberman is endorsed mostly by former Belmont politicians, some of whom have been out of office for decades.
Ride with courtesy in Waterdog—Many hikers, runners, cyclists, and dog walkers all share the trails. Slow down near hikers. Hikers have the right-of-way. Always offer to let hikers go by first; if they yield to you, thank them, because they just did you a favor! Use a bell around corners. A little courtesy goes a long way toward preserving access to these trails!