Trail Bell Program
SDMBA is committed to educational efforts spreading the message of trail courtesy for ALL trail users.
Slowing down, speaking up and giving respect to other trail users is key to everyone getting along on the trails! Having a bell on your bike does even more to let other trail users know you are near. While first started as a way for hikers to let bears know of their presence, bear bells attached to mountain bikes make it very easy for hikers, equestrians, and other bikers to not be surprised by an oncoming mountain biker.
Be Nice - Say Hi! Go Slow - Say Hello!
You are welcome to borrow a bell for your ride and then return it to another bell station OR keep in on your bike and use it in good health for YOU and our trails.
Find more Trail Courtesy tips HERE...
Current Bell Stations:
- Noble Canyon (top of Noble, near Penny Pines)
- Black Mountain Open Space - 3 bell stations (Black Mountain Ranch Park at Ahwee Trail Head, Sun Devil Way Trail Head, Laurentian Way Trail Head)
- Penasquitos - 2 bell stations (Canyonside Park, Sorrento Valley Staging Area)
- Mission Trails Regional Park - West Fortuna and Jackson Drive
- San Dieguito River Park
- Elfin Forest Recreation Reserve
IN THE NEWS - Rancho Bernardo Girl Scout Focuses Project on Trail Safety (Dec. 2021)
This program has been running since 2009 when SDMBA’s first set of bike bells were provided through a generous grant from our friends at REI. Through additional grants from the County and our sponsors and donors, we have been able to continue this effort to improve trail courtesy.
Program Long-Term Success
Increased awareness of trail users, reduction in mountain bicycling and other trail user accidents and conflicts, increased enjoyment of trails, and increased safety are the primary benefits of the SDMBA Trail Bell Program. Placing distribution and collection boxes at busy trailheads provides free loans of bells that can assist all trail users (families, mountain bicyclists, hikers, naturalists) on their journeys.
