Trailblazing Change: Central Oregon Trail Alliance Enhances Bend's Mountain Bike Trails for Adaptive Riders

Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) is collaborating with Empowering Access to promote accessible mountain biking in Bend, Oregon. From May 1-14, a team of adaptive mountain bikers will assess 100 miles of trails for accessibility barriers. The team will ride trails and document key components such as trailhead accessibility, tread width, grade, and cross slope. This information will then be publicized so that adaptive riders can make informed decisions about what trails they would like to ride. Often, the biggest barrier preventing an adaptive mountain biker from accessing a trail is simply lack of information.

“I’m excited to put Central Oregon on the map for the adaptive cycling community,” said Abbie Wilkiemeyer, COTA’s volunteer project manager. “Other communities are using universal design to open trails of all difficulty levels to adaptive mountain bikers. If they can do it, we can do it. All of the COTA volunteers participating in the assessments are looking forward to the opportunity to learn what works and what doesn’t for riders on different equipment on trails.”

By increasing trail accessibility, COTA hopes to promote inclusivity and diversity in outdoor recreation. With the help of their partners and volunteers, they are taking the first steps towards creating an inclusive trail environment in Central Oregon.