Motherlode Bicycle Coalition
Connecting Communities through Sustainable Mobility
Amount
$141,891
Lead Organization
Partners
Stanislaus National Forest
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)
Sierra Northern Railway
Tuolumne County Transportation Council
Calaveras Council of Governments
Central Sierra Economic Development District
Habitat for Humanity Calaveras
Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians
Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians (Chicken Ranch Casino)
County of Impact
Alpine
Amador
Calaveras
Tuolumne
San Juaquin
Stanislaus
Foundational Elements
& Industries
Sustainable Recreation & Tourism
Project Description
The Central Sierra Sustainable Mobility Partnership will strengthen economic opportunity, community health, and regional connectivity by advancing safe, sustainable bicycling and walking infrastructure across rural Central Sierra counties. Through strategic partnerships with local governments, tribal nations, land managers, and businesses, the program will move priority trail and active transportation projects from vision to shovel-ready implementation.
In a region defined by geographic isolation, seasonal mountain closures, and historic disinvestment, this work builds bridges — physically and economically. Projects like the Sierra Railroad Trail connecting Jamestown to Sonora and the EBMUD Pipeline Trail linking San Joaquin and Calaveras counties will create safe routes for residents to access schools, jobs, and essential services while expanding recreation and tourism opportunities.
By investing in local leadership and full-time staff capacity, the program will cultivate partnerships, attract capital investment, create family-sustaining jobs, and position the Central Sierra as a model for climate-resilient, outdoor-centered economic development rooted in equity and community empowerment.
Below: Photos from a January, 2026 site visit to the Motherlode Region to explore the existing bicycling infrastructure and understand the existing ridership ecosystem.
The team visiting found most of the available space for biking is dirt or gravel, and often uses pre-existing rights of way (water, rail). Nearly every dirt trail is attractive and well maintained, however safe space to bike within the historic downtowns is sporadic at best, with Dragoon Gulch being a primary in-town asset in Sonora that could serve as a hub feature for in-town bicycling.
In-town wayfinding and infrastructure is a clear area needing improvement.
