Galbraith Mountain getting more trail miles, and Bellingham allows electric-assist bikes
A popular kind of electric bicycle will now be legal on Galbraith Mountain, and more biking trails can be built after the Bellingham City Council unanimously approved a pair of measures.
In separate actions Feb. 26, City Council members extended the maximum amount of trail mileage on Galbraith Mountain to 85 and allowed Class 1 electric-assist bikes on the trail network.
In addition, three new trails are expected to open in spring, and a crosswalk will soon connect a parking lot near the entrance to trails at Galbraith Lane and Samish Way, where street parking was banned recently.
“This reflects the reality that e-bikes are taking over Galbraith Mountain. We’re really just recognizing the reality and the accessibility for a lot of people who can’t get up there if it wasn’t for e-bikes,” Parks and Recreation Department Director Nicole Oliver told the City Council during a Feb. 26 committee session.
Class 1 electric-assist bicycles don’t have a throttle, and instead require the rider to pedal for the electric motor to kick in, said Eric Brown of the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition, whose members maintain and build trails.
Councilwoman Lisa Anderson that the bikes have limited power but are helpful for riders who have difficulty with the uphill parts of mountain biking.
“You are still doing a lot of the work yourself, so it’s 20 mph or less for speed, total. So you won’t be seeing dirt bikes up on Galbraith Mountain, you’re going to be able to see older people like me being able to get up,” Anderson said.
Mountain biking, trail running and other uses are allowed on privately-owned Galbraith Mountain as part of a 2018 agreement between Galbraith Tree Farm LLC and the city of Bellingham. Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition manages a recreational easement on the 2,182-acre site and Whatcom Land Trust manages a conservation easement.
Mountain bikers have built about 65 miles of trails on the 1,785-foot peak, mostly with volunteer labor, turning Bellingham into a nationally-known mecca for the sport.
“There was just a (mountain bike) brand from Southern California who did their whole media campaign here,” Brown told the council.
Janicki Logging and Construction bought the land in 2017 from Polygon Financial 05, who got it in a 2009 foreclosure deal with Trillium Corp., which is among the holdings of millionaire artist and Cascadia Daily News owner David Syre, who also developed Bellis Fair mall.
That deal created Galbraith Tree Farm LLC, which logs the 2,200-acre site but also ensures recreational access forever through an easement managed by the Whatcom Land Trust and the city of Bellingham.
The mountain bike group recently lost a bid to conduct more intensive trail-building work from Oct. 1 through May 31, when “land-disturbing” activity on 500 square feet or greater is banned.
County Council members voted 6-1 not to advance that measure on Feb. 20.
