I am not a cyclist, but feel strongly that there should be no exclusion at Ragged Mountain Reservoir. I frequently go hiking with friends there and have never met an impolite or careless cyclist. Allowing cyclists on the trails provides them with a safe place to ride. Virginia roads are very narrow, winding, and hilly. This makes them extremely dangerous for cyclists, especially the youth. This community needs as many safe places for people to enjoy the outdoors as possible.
Allowing cyclists on the trails will promote community engagement as people come together to enjoy nature. It gives those with diverse mobility needs a sense of belonging and inclusion.
I know there are high school mountain biking teams in the area that have used the trails. Why discourage and limit safe options for teenagers to be exercising and staying engaged in healthy things besides all of the other trouble they could be getting into?
Please consider allowing cyclists back on the trails.
As a person with a disability and a mountain biker, I rely on safe and welcoming trails for my recreation and transportation. Ragged Mountain has always been a sanctuary for me, a place where I can ride safely and freely. Unfortunately, the current biking ban undermines this safe space, limiting my ability to enjoy the outdoors in a way that accommodates my needs and mental health. The current ban on biking has not only limited my access but has also fostered division within our community.This hostility detracts from the inclusive, welcoming environment we all deserve. I advocate for lifting this ban on bikes.
As a team captain on the Albemarle High School Mountain Bike Team, I saw how the recent ban at Ragged Mountain Reservoir hurt the team's ability to introduce newer riders to mountain biking. The trails at Ragged Mountain are a great place for new riders to ease into the sport. Mountain biking provides an excellent way for youth to access the outdoors and socialize with their peers. Excluding a group of riders from a trail system when there have been no user conflicts or harm to the environment in extremely inequitable. Multi-use trails at Ragged Mountain should be restored so all can enjoy this natural resource.
Members of the Board, please open ragged Mountain to all types of trail users - including bikers, hikers, runners, and walkers. This is a wonderful natural area to have so close to town. There are no negative impacts from biking or any other of these uses. This is an opportunity provide equal access to all members of our community and improve overall health and well-being.
I am strong proponent of allowing biking and running at the Ragged Mountain Reservoir . The trails around it are so wonderful and so close to so many residences, that it would be a shame to place restriction on its use. The more people we can have out there the better. I am not sure why there needs to exclusions of certain activities, when there are so many reasonable solutions that allows everyone to get along. I hope the BOS reconsiders their position and revises the current County Code
My name is Ronnie Vance, I am an employee at Endeavor Cycles, which is a bike shop that has been in business since 2016 (not a coincidence) just a short ride away from Ragged Mtn. This year we were able to move across the street to Maury Avenue into a space twice as big. Most of our business all summer when students are gone revolves around serving the amazing Mountain Bikers on their way to and from rides at Ragged Mtn. When we sell an entry level mountain bike, we send riders to ragged mtn for its calm terrain, great views, and closed loop nature. Most riders fall in love with riding due to Ragged mtn and continue to support and foster our small business. The decision to exclude bikes from ragged mtn is a decision to hurt small business and community in Charlottesville.
Hi. I'm writing to express my strong support for allowing bikers on the trails at Ragged Mountain. The hiking and biking communities have harmoniously shared trails for the past few years at Ragged Mountain, and for many years on other local and regional trails. Bikers I have known and encountered treat other trail users, and the natural environment, with respect.
Preventing a subset of outdoor enthusiasts from using public land seems exclusionary and without any merit or benefit. It prevents an active group of nature lovers from enjoying this public land so close to town. In these sedentary times we should be working to get more people active outside, not creating unnecessary legal barriers. No additional trails are needed. Please reconsider allowing bikers on the trails at Ragged Mountain.
Dear Albemarle County Board,
I am writing to show my support of reopening the trails at Ragged Mountain Reservoir to runners and bikers. Please consider scientific evidence regarding water quality and the desires of this outdoor-loving community (your constituents) as you consider this decision.
Please maintain the existing ordinance. Preserve the biodiversity and physical integrity of the land surrounding the reservoir for the purpose of preservation primarily, as was intended when the Ragged Mountain Natural Area was established.
Everyone is welcome in the RMNA, but come and enjoy the beautiful environment on foot.
Over the past several months I have learned that the issue of not having bike riders at Ragged has nothing to do with water or environmental impact but instead has to do with trying to exclude a segment of the population under the guise of protecting the environment. It has now been established that biking does not negatively impact the water quality so now we learn of the real reasons. It is disheartening that our own county government is creating a divide amongst recreational users when there is no need to do that. As an Albemarle County Public School employee, the policy of excluding bike riders is the opposite of what we strive for in our schools, INCLUSIVITY. Why is the county not also striving for inclusivity? I help run one a local youth mountain bike clubs in which we serve a diverse number of riders. We were not able to practice at Ragged this Spring and it made it difficult for some of our less experienced riders. Please do the right thing and open the trails to all.
I wholeheartedly support allowing mountain bikes access to the Ragged Mountain trail system. There isn’t much I can say that hasn’t already been said in favor of opening the trails to cyclists so I’ll share a brief summary of my interactions with fellow trail users.
Over the past seven years I have spoken to dozens of hikers, walkers and runners while riding my mountain bike at Ragged. I am a chatty person and would often stop to let a walker/runner pass and every single interaction except for one was harmonious. We all shared the trail peacefully together.
there is space for all of us out there. Just continue to be kind and respectful to your fellow trail users as I have witnessed year or year and we can promote this amazing resource to locals and tourists alike.
Please reconsider changing the rules and allow our trails to be multi-use once more.
I'm a Charlottesville resident and avid trail user. I moved to Charlottesville about 3 years ago, and the biggest selling point was the network of trails I can access from my door. RMR is my favorite place to bike and trail run in the County, both for its beauty and accessibility. Albemarle is unique because we have surprisingly impressive outdoor infrastructure and community engagement for a small city. Therefore, it's hard to understand why we would restrict access to our public lands to exclude certain user groups, especially users who are some of the strongest outdoor activists and trail stewards we have.
Albemarle Supervisors, please reinstate biking and running at RMR and allow the entire community to continue caring for our trails -- don't restrict access to many at the behest of a few.
Members of the Board,
I've been a resident of Charlottesville for 30+ years. I'm writing to express my support of shared use of Ragged Mountain Reservoir for hikers, bikers and runners. The trails at Ragged are accessible, safe and beginner friendly and allowing access to these trails is important for the mental and physical health of our community. Research has shown cycling and running will not harm the water quality. Please reconsider updating the county code to allow biking and running at Ragged Mountain Reservoir for ALL of our community to enjoy.
Opening the ragged mountain reservoir to a broader range of activities promotes community growth and a sense of responsibility for those that frequent the trials to preserve the area. By unrestricting the area you are fostering an environment of self governance, as more people come out to participate in enjoying the reservoir you are bringing people that care for the trial who will be able to speak up when witnessing any misuse or mistreatment of the area.
As county residents for over 20 years, we recognize the value the Ragged Mountain Trail (RMT) system offers to ALL county residents and visitors for multiple uses. Without incident, the RMT have been used by mountain bikers and runners for the last 7+ years. There is no impact to water quality. It is incumbent upon you as representatives of the entire county population to recognize the large % of county residents that support multi use at RMT. This is a prime opportunity to build partnership with the MTB community who deeply care about trail stewardship and community. Please recognize the large number of residents that you represent who support multi use at RMT and vote to reverse the current county position that alienates specific trail users.
Trebours.
I am writing to express my support for opening Ragged Mountain Reservoir to bicyclists. Cycling provides physical and mental health benefits to those of us who do not run and having access to this beautiful area so close to the heart of Charlottesville is an important part of the area's outdoor community. The perceived impacts of cycling on the area have been shown to be minimal or non-existent. The nearby interstate, communities, and associated construction likely produce more negative impacts than bikes. Hikers and runners themselves have also been shown to produce more negative impacts on wildlife than bikers and given the cycling community's stewardship of the land on which we have permission to access, I would contend the overall benefit of allowing biking is strongly positive. At a time of increasing division in our society, please consider the inclusive option of allowing cyclists at Ragged Mountain rather than exclusion.
If asked, most would say that kindness and inclusion are favorable behaviors. Allowing those who ride bicycles to enjoy the trails at Ragged Mountain Reservoir is an opportunity to show kindness and to be inclusive. I support shared use trails at RMR.
Members of the Board: I'm a County resident living in the Rivanna District. I'm writing to express my support for a shared use at Ragged Mountain(to include running and hiking) to complement the hiker-only trails. I support amending the current code to allow shared use to move forward and make Ragged Mountain inclusive for all users. Public comments and historical evidence indicates that over the last six years or so; hikers, bikers and walkers can share this treasured resource together without infringing on the experiences of other groups. Most importantly, it has been concluded (by the local water service authority) that there is no difference between hiking and biking as far as impacts on the reservoir are concerned. Both activities were found to have minimal impact on soil erosion and other environmental impacts. In closing, thank you for considering this important local concern so quickly and diligently. Best regards, Dr. Carl Elks
Dear members of the Boards, please update the County Code to expand shared use at Ragged Mountain Reservoir to include cyclists and runners. Thank you.
I am not a cyclist, but feel strongly that there should be no exclusion at Ragged Mountain Reservoir. I frequently go hiking with friends there and have never met an impolite or careless cyclist. Allowing cyclists on the trails provides them with a safe place to ride. Virginia roads are very narrow, winding, and hilly. This makes them extremely dangerous for cyclists, especially the youth. This community needs as many safe places for people to enjoy the outdoors as possible.
Allowing cyclists on the trails will promote community engagement as people come together to enjoy nature. It gives those with diverse mobility needs a sense of belonging and inclusion.
I know there are high school mountain biking teams in the area that have used the trails. Why discourage and limit safe options for teenagers to be exercising and staying engaged in healthy things besides all of the other trouble they could be getting into?
Please consider allowing cyclists back on the trails.
As a person with a disability and a mountain biker, I rely on safe and welcoming trails for my recreation and transportation. Ragged Mountain has always been a sanctuary for me, a place where I can ride safely and freely. Unfortunately, the current biking ban undermines this safe space, limiting my ability to enjoy the outdoors in a way that accommodates my needs and mental health. The current ban on biking has not only limited my access but has also fostered division within our community.This hostility detracts from the inclusive, welcoming environment we all deserve. I advocate for lifting this ban on bikes.
As a team captain on the Albemarle High School Mountain Bike Team, I saw how the recent ban at Ragged Mountain Reservoir hurt the team's ability to introduce newer riders to mountain biking. The trails at Ragged Mountain are a great place for new riders to ease into the sport. Mountain biking provides an excellent way for youth to access the outdoors and socialize with their peers. Excluding a group of riders from a trail system when there have been no user conflicts or harm to the environment in extremely inequitable. Multi-use trails at Ragged Mountain should be restored so all can enjoy this natural resource.
Members of the Board, please open ragged Mountain to all types of trail users - including bikers, hikers, runners, and walkers. This is a wonderful natural area to have so close to town. There are no negative impacts from biking or any other of these uses. This is an opportunity provide equal access to all members of our community and improve overall health and well-being.
I am strong proponent of allowing biking and running at the Ragged Mountain Reservoir . The trails around it are so wonderful and so close to so many residences, that it would be a shame to place restriction on its use. The more people we can have out there the better. I am not sure why there needs to exclusions of certain activities, when there are so many reasonable solutions that allows everyone to get along. I hope the BOS reconsiders their position and revises the current County Code
Speaking as a small business employee.
My name is Ronnie Vance, I am an employee at Endeavor Cycles, which is a bike shop that has been in business since 2016 (not a coincidence) just a short ride away from Ragged Mtn. This year we were able to move across the street to Maury Avenue into a space twice as big. Most of our business all summer when students are gone revolves around serving the amazing Mountain Bikers on their way to and from rides at Ragged Mtn. When we sell an entry level mountain bike, we send riders to ragged mtn for its calm terrain, great views, and closed loop nature. Most riders fall in love with riding due to Ragged mtn and continue to support and foster our small business. The decision to exclude bikes from ragged mtn is a decision to hurt small business and community in Charlottesville.
Hi. I'm writing to express my strong support for allowing bikers on the trails at Ragged Mountain. The hiking and biking communities have harmoniously shared trails for the past few years at Ragged Mountain, and for many years on other local and regional trails. Bikers I have known and encountered treat other trail users, and the natural environment, with respect.
Preventing a subset of outdoor enthusiasts from using public land seems exclusionary and without any merit or benefit. It prevents an active group of nature lovers from enjoying this public land so close to town. In these sedentary times we should be working to get more people active outside, not creating unnecessary legal barriers. No additional trails are needed. Please reconsider allowing bikers on the trails at Ragged Mountain.
Please reconsider the current code and open Ragged Mountain for all running and biking (non-motorized) activities.
Dear Albemarle County Board,
I am writing to show my support of reopening the trails at Ragged Mountain Reservoir to runners and bikers. Please consider scientific evidence regarding water quality and the desires of this outdoor-loving community (your constituents) as you consider this decision.
Please maintain the existing ordinance. Preserve the biodiversity and physical integrity of the land surrounding the reservoir for the purpose of preservation primarily, as was intended when the Ragged Mountain Natural Area was established.
Everyone is welcome in the RMNA, but come and enjoy the beautiful environment on foot.
Over the past several months I have learned that the issue of not having bike riders at Ragged has nothing to do with water or environmental impact but instead has to do with trying to exclude a segment of the population under the guise of protecting the environment. It has now been established that biking does not negatively impact the water quality so now we learn of the real reasons. It is disheartening that our own county government is creating a divide amongst recreational users when there is no need to do that. As an Albemarle County Public School employee, the policy of excluding bike riders is the opposite of what we strive for in our schools, INCLUSIVITY. Why is the county not also striving for inclusivity? I help run one a local youth mountain bike clubs in which we serve a diverse number of riders. We were not able to practice at Ragged this Spring and it made it difficult for some of our less experienced riders. Please do the right thing and open the trails to all.
I wholeheartedly support allowing mountain bikes access to the Ragged Mountain trail system. There isn’t much I can say that hasn’t already been said in favor of opening the trails to cyclists so I’ll share a brief summary of my interactions with fellow trail users.
Over the past seven years I have spoken to dozens of hikers, walkers and runners while riding my mountain bike at Ragged. I am a chatty person and would often stop to let a walker/runner pass and every single interaction except for one was harmonious. We all shared the trail peacefully together.
there is space for all of us out there. Just continue to be kind and respectful to your fellow trail users as I have witnessed year or year and we can promote this amazing resource to locals and tourists alike.
Please reconsider changing the rules and allow our trails to be multi-use once more.
Thank you for your time,
Sean
I'm a Charlottesville resident and avid trail user. I moved to Charlottesville about 3 years ago, and the biggest selling point was the network of trails I can access from my door. RMR is my favorite place to bike and trail run in the County, both for its beauty and accessibility. Albemarle is unique because we have surprisingly impressive outdoor infrastructure and community engagement for a small city. Therefore, it's hard to understand why we would restrict access to our public lands to exclude certain user groups, especially users who are some of the strongest outdoor activists and trail stewards we have.
Albemarle Supervisors, please reinstate biking and running at RMR and allow the entire community to continue caring for our trails -- don't restrict access to many at the behest of a few.
Members of the Board,
I've been a resident of Charlottesville for 30+ years. I'm writing to express my support of shared use of Ragged Mountain Reservoir for hikers, bikers and runners. The trails at Ragged are accessible, safe and beginner friendly and allowing access to these trails is important for the mental and physical health of our community. Research has shown cycling and running will not harm the water quality. Please reconsider updating the county code to allow biking and running at Ragged Mountain Reservoir for ALL of our community to enjoy.
Opening the ragged mountain reservoir to a broader range of activities promotes community growth and a sense of responsibility for those that frequent the trials to preserve the area. By unrestricting the area you are fostering an environment of self governance, as more people come out to participate in enjoying the reservoir you are bringing people that care for the trial who will be able to speak up when witnessing any misuse or mistreatment of the area.
As county residents for over 20 years, we recognize the value the Ragged Mountain Trail (RMT) system offers to ALL county residents and visitors for multiple uses. Without incident, the RMT have been used by mountain bikers and runners for the last 7+ years. There is no impact to water quality. It is incumbent upon you as representatives of the entire county population to recognize the large % of county residents that support multi use at RMT. This is a prime opportunity to build partnership with the MTB community who deeply care about trail stewardship and community. Please recognize the large number of residents that you represent who support multi use at RMT and vote to reverse the current county position that alienates specific trail users.
Trebours.
I am writing to express my support for opening Ragged Mountain Reservoir to bicyclists. Cycling provides physical and mental health benefits to those of us who do not run and having access to this beautiful area so close to the heart of Charlottesville is an important part of the area's outdoor community. The perceived impacts of cycling on the area have been shown to be minimal or non-existent. The nearby interstate, communities, and associated construction likely produce more negative impacts than bikes. Hikers and runners themselves have also been shown to produce more negative impacts on wildlife than bikers and given the cycling community's stewardship of the land on which we have permission to access, I would contend the overall benefit of allowing biking is strongly positive. At a time of increasing division in our society, please consider the inclusive option of allowing cyclists at Ragged Mountain rather than exclusion.
If asked, most would say that kindness and inclusion are favorable behaviors. Allowing those who ride bicycles to enjoy the trails at Ragged Mountain Reservoir is an opportunity to show kindness and to be inclusive. I support shared use trails at RMR.
Members of the Board: I'm a County resident living in the Rivanna District. I'm writing to express my support for a shared use at Ragged Mountain(to include running and hiking) to complement the hiker-only trails. I support amending the current code to allow shared use to move forward and make Ragged Mountain inclusive for all users. Public comments and historical evidence indicates that over the last six years or so; hikers, bikers and walkers can share this treasured resource together without infringing on the experiences of other groups. Most importantly, it has been concluded (by the local water service authority) that there is no difference between hiking and biking as far as impacts on the reservoir are concerned. Both activities were found to have minimal impact on soil erosion and other environmental impacts. In closing, thank you for considering this important local concern so quickly and diligently. Best regards, Dr. Carl Elks
Dear members of the Boards, please update the County Code to expand shared use at Ragged Mountain Reservoir to include cyclists and runners. Thank you.