Bike Park Initiative
March 2026 Update – IMBA Trail Accelerator Grant Application
On the heels of receiving $10,000 each from Friends of Laguna Seca and the Sea Otter Classic Foundation to offset matching funds required for IMBA’s Trail Accelerator Grant, we hit “submit” on our grant application. Grant review and awards TBD after grant closes March 15 – fingers crossed!
This grant has already funded 42 projects in 41 communities and delivered $577,000 to cover professional services for site assessment and design consultation that result in a detailed plans – and more – to move projects like the Laguna Seca Bike Park forward. Securing a detailed set of plans will provide a crucial foundation for fundraising and implementation.
January 2026 Update – More Than a Community Bike Park
After three years and two proposed locations, we are closer than ever to making our bike park dreams a reality. And our vision is bigger and better than ever!
Thanks to our evolving partnership with Friends of Laguna Seca and support from our growing coalition of partners, what began as a community bike park is now taking shape as a destination cycling hub for events, youth recreation & programming, and athlete development for all ages and skill levels. Learn more about where MORCA is at with this exciting project, how you can get involved, and what our next steps are: New Year – New Bike Park
The Issue
Bikes are prohibited on thousands of trails in Monterey County. Mountain bikers deserve a dedicated space to ride with trail features that enhance the riding experience, build skills, and attract riders of all ages and abilities. Within Fort Ord National Monument, Bureau of Land Management’s multi-use protocol prohibits building popular bike features like berms, jumps, and wooden structures.
What’s at Stake
Right now, there is historic funding and resources available for mountain bike projects. Laguna Seca Recreation Area – home to the Life Time Sea Otter Classic – is finalizing its Facilities Master Plan. This is Monterey’s golden opportunity to build a bike park and unlock significant funding and resources; generate proven community benefits and economic return; celebrate Laguna Seca’s cycling heritage; and address equitable access to trails. These funds could also cover costs for planned improvements to Laguna Seca parking, restrooms, and campgrounds.
Take Action Now Before Plans are Finalized
Sign the petition and tell Monterey County leadership they must direct Friends of Laguna Seca to prioritize cycling in the Laguna Seca Facilities Master Plan before it is approved in 2026.
We call on the Monterey County Parks Commission, Friends of Laguna Seca, and Monterey County Board of Supervisors to:
- Identify cycling as a priority within the Laguna Seca Facilities Master Plan
- Develop permanent bike courses and terrain for racing and recreational riding that accommodate all ages and ability levels within Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Outline the phased development of a bike park with trails and amenities designed for bikes within the Laguna Seca Facilities Master Plan
- Collaborate with MORCA (Monterey Off Road Cycling Association) to conceptualize plans and access funding, planning, development, and maintenance resources
Developing a Laguna Seca Bike Park with permanent slalom, downhill, cross-country, and cyclocross courses with additional terrain designed for bikes would deliver valuable benefits to Monterey County and to our greater cycling community:
- Sustain proven economic benefits of Lifetime Sea Otter Classic; create new, year-round draw for tourism
- Contribute to FOLS stated goals; leverage historic funding opportunities for bike projects
- Deliver benefits to locals and visitors
- Provide a dedicated space for mountain biking in Monterey County
- Build the foundation for a national caliber cycling hub; align with new USA Cycling initiative
Background
Every April, the Sea Otter Classic cycling event attracts 75,000 visitors and generates $70 million in economic impact for greater Monterey; local businesses and families thrive through cycling but after the event, two of the biggest attractions – the slalom and downhill courses – are bulldozed and closed to public access. All those community benefits die overnight. Monterey has hosted the largest cycling event in the nation for more than 30 years but has not done anything to celebrate that heritage or sustain the community benefits.
Community input for new parks spaces in Monterey County like Palo Corona Regional Park or City of Monterey’s Old Capitol site has shown a community strongly in favor of bike access and bike amenities. But decision makers keep voting against bikes. And throughout Monterey County, bikes are prohibited on thousands of trails in state, regional, county, and city parks.
Monterey County mountain bikers deserve a dedicated space to ride with trail features that enhance the riding experience, build skills, and attract riders of all ages and abilities. Mountain biking is more popular than ever especially among youth. Through the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, 25,000 middle and high school students in 32 states participate in mountain biking as organized school sport – but most Monterey County kids are prohibited from riding on their own neighborhood and parks trails.
The economic and community benefits of mountain biking are clearer than ever. Across the country mountain biking is renown for its contributions to stewardship and community development. Bike parks foster stewardship, community connection, youth empowerment, improved bike safety, skills enhancement, and even a boost to tourism.