Helping Tahoe Become More Bike Friendly
The Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition advocates to jurisdictions around Lake Tahoe to help make sure that cyclists' perspectives are accounted for in public infrastructure planning. Our advocacy focuses on three priorities:
Invest in bike infrastructure
There’s a large backlog of projects to build, and we’re pushing to accelerate progress through that list.
Prioritize the important gaps
Not all projects offer the same value. We weigh in on what’s most important.
Get the details right
When designing these projects, make sure they work well for the cyclists who will use them.
Got ideas? Let us know! We're always trying to hear from the community to reflect all of our ideas in our advocacy. Please email info@tahoebike.org.
Recent Advocacy
We write comment letters to jurisdictions to weigh in on proposed projects. Here is a summary of each effort, newest first, with the letters themselves. Curious about a project that's not listed here? Please let us know!
Showing all 12 efforts
South Tahoe Greenway and Johnson Meadow Bridge
SupportSouth ShoreEl Dorado County +2 more
Latest letter Sep 20266 letters
The South Tahoe Greenway is a paved bike and walking path running across South Lake Tahoe, south of Highway 50, linking neighborhoods, Lake Tahoe Community College, schools, and parks. We have backed it since 2017, from the boardwalk over Trout Creek to a new trail and bridge across the Upper Truckee River through Johnson Meadow. That roughly 1.2-mile connector would link the Sierra Tract neighborhood to the Barton Memorial Hospital area and the Y. We also support studying an eastern extension toward Ski Run and Van Sickle Bi-State Park.
What we asked for
- Fund and build the Upper Truckee River bridge at Johnson Meadow to restore a lost river crossing and close a key gap in the Greenway.
- Line up the new trail's entrance with the existing Greenway across Sierra Boulevard so riders can cross straight through.
- Add reflectors or lighting at trail entrances like Sierra Tract and Winnemucca, while keeping the meadow and forest unlit.
- Plan for winter maintenance, including snow removal, so the trail is usable year-round.
- Keep extending the Greenway, including east through the Ski Run neighborhood to Van Sickle Bi-State Park.
Where it stands: The Sierra Tract to Bijou link and the Sierra Boulevard path are built. The Johnson Meadow bridge connector was still closing its final funding gap as of our September 2026 letter.
Our letters
Letter of Support - The South Tahoe Greenway Project (opens in a new tab)
To Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) Board of Trustees
We urged LTCC trustees to approve a land exchange that would let the college contribute $700,000 to Greenway Phase 2, which includes a boardwalk and bridge over Trout Creek. Without it, we warned, the project could stall due to a funding shortage.
To El Dorado County Department of Transportation
We supported extending the Greenway from the Sierra Tract neighborhood to the Y with a new Upper Truckee River bridge. We asked the county to line up trail entrances across Sierra Boulevard so riders can cross straight, or else use the Alternative 3 trailhead.
Agenda Item 8: Dennis T. Machida Memorial Greenway Grant (opens in a new tab)
To California Tahoe Conservancy Board
We supported a Conservancy grant to the City of South Lake Tahoe to study extending the Greenway east through the Ski Run neighborhood to Van Sickle Bi-State Park.
To El Dorado County Department of Transportation
We backed the county's state Active Transportation Program grant application for the Johnson Meadow bridge. We noted the old bridge is gone and people now wade the river on erosion-prone social trails, and that the project serves many lower-income, car-dependent households.
South Tahoe Greenway - Upper Truckee River Bridge at Johnson Meadow (opens in a new tab)
To El Dorado County Department of Transportation
Commenting on the project report, we supported leaving the meadow and forest unlit but asked for reflectors or lighting at the Sierra Tract and Winnemucca access points. We also asked whether regular snow removal is planned.
Johnson Meadow Greenway Connector Implementation Grant (opens in a new tab)
To California Tahoe Conservancy Board of Directors
We strongly supported a proposed $2 million Conservancy grant to El Dorado County to fill the final funding gap for the Johnson Meadow Greenway Connector. The roughly 1.2-mile trail would link Sierra Tract to the Barton Memorial Hospital area and restore a river crossing.
Related: Bijou Park Multi-Use Connector Trail · Lake Tahoe Airport Master Plan · Tahoe Regional Active Transportation Plan
Caltrans Highway Improvements Through South Lake Tahoe
CommentSouth ShoreCalifornia Department of Transportation (Caltrans) +1 more
Latest letter May 20264 letters
Caltrans owns US Highway 50 and State Route 89 through South Lake Tahoe, so the busiest streets in town are state highways. Since 2021 we have weighed in on each Caltrans and City decision about them: the Highway 50 Safety Project from the Y to Pioneer Trail, a proposed speed limit increase, a repaving project from Trout Creek to Stateline, and the City's US 50/89 Multimodal Mainstreet Corridor Plan. Our message has stayed the same: slower traffic, full-width bike lanes, and safer crossings and connections.
What we asked for
- Slow traffic with narrower lanes, signals timed below the speed limit, and lower posted limits, especially at South Tahoe Middle School and Heavenly Village.
- Add full-width bike lanes on both sides of the highway, buffered or protected where the road width allows, with bike-safe drain grates and well-maintained green paint.
- Connect the highway bike lanes to side-street bikeways at the Y, Tahoe Keys, Sierra, Al Tahoe, Ski Run, and Pioneer Trail with turn boxes, paint, and crosswalks.
- Shrink the oversized Y intersection by removing slip lanes and extra through lanes, and bring SR 89 near the Y down to two lanes with protected bike lanes.
- Oppose speed limit increases, and use the City's authority under Assembly Bill 43 to set lower limits and add traffic calming.
Our letters
Support
South Lake Tahoe Safety Project Comments (opens in a new tab)
To California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Environmental Management M-3 Branch
Comments on the Initial Study and Negative Declaration for the Highway 50 safety project. We welcomed the green bike lanes, lighting, and crossings, and attached a detailed addendum asking for buffered bike lanes, better intersection connections, a middle school zone, and early delivery of key pieces.
Opposition
To City of South Lake Tahoe Mayor and City Council
Written for the Council's public hearing on Caltrans' proposed speed limit increase. We supported staff's recommendation to oppose it and urged lower limits, traffic calming, and a corridor plan for SR 89 at the Y.
To Caltrans North Region Environmental, District 3
Responds to the environmental Initial Study for the US 50 repaving project. We asked for four-foot bike lanes on both sides, made room by narrowing travel lanes.
Support
US 50/89 Multimodal Mainstreet Corridor Plan (opens in a new tab)
To City of South Lake Tahoe
Thanks the City for starting the corridor plan and lists our priorities: slowing cars, a calmer gateway on Highway 89, a smaller Y intersection, better bike lanes, and other fixes. It also asks the City to revisit our 2021 Safety Project recommendations, many still not built.
South Tahoe Bike Routes Short-Term Priorities
CommentSouth ShoreCity of South Lake Tahoe City Council +1 more
Latest letter Sep 20251 letter
South Lake Tahoe's bike network is a patchwork of off-street paths linked by city streets marked as bike routes. Together with the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Bicycle Advisory Committee, we sent the City Council a guide for quick, low-cost fixes to those streets. It lists bike routes that need repaving, spot fixes like green sharrows and crosswalks, new streets to sign as bike routes, and confusing routes to drop.
What we asked for
- Give designated bike route streets priority for repaving and snow removal, with a 15 mph speed limit.
- Include 15 key bike streets, led by Eloise Ave, Dunlap Dr, and Johnson Blvd, in a five-year repaving plan.
- Repaint lines, sharrows, and crosswalks on bike routes every year, especially near major intersections.
- Sign new bike routes that close gaps, such as Dunlap Dr, Barton Ave, Palmira Ave, and Spruce Ave.
- Remove bike route signs from redundant or misleading streets, such as Oakland Ave and Helen Ave.
Our letters
South Tahoe Bike Routes: A Guide for Short Term Prioritization (opens in a new tab)
To City of South Lake Tahoe City Council
A joint guide asking the City to treat Class III bike route streets as priorities for maintenance, safety, and wayfinding. It lists streets to repave, specific intersection fixes, new routes to designate, and obsolete routes to remove.
South Lake Tahoe 2026 Road Repaving Priorities
CommentSouth ShoreCity of South Lake Tahoe City Council
Latest letter May 20251 letter
Each year the City of South Lake Tahoe repaves a set of streets through its Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). For the 2026 list, we asked the City Council to put three busy bike streets first: Johnson Blvd, Eloise Ave, and Palmira Ave. We also asked for small add-ons during repaving, like protecting the Johnson Blvd bike lane and extending the work a block or two to reach key intersections.
What we asked for
- Prioritize Johnson Blvd, Eloise Ave, and Palmira Ave for 2026 repaving because they are major bike connections.
- Add seasonally removable bollards along the Johnson Blvd bike lane to protect riders on the newly paved road.
- Extend the Eloise Ave work one block onto Dunlap Ave, with painted bike lanes, to reach the Y intersection.
- Extend the Palmira Ave work one block onto Lodi Ave and Carson Ave to reach the US 50 traffic lights.
- Delay repaving of Heavenly Village Way, Montreal Ave, and Pioneer Trail to line up with future Park Ave complete streets work.
Our letters
Support
Agenda Item 15 - Capital Improvement Plan (opens in a new tab)
To City of South Lake Tahoe Mayor and City Council
Responds to the Public Works list of streets proposed for 2026 road rehabilitation. We thanked the City for its active transportation investments and asked that Johnson Blvd, Eloise Ave, and Palmira Ave be prioritized, with small bike-friendly additions.
Stateline-to-Stateline Bikeway, South Demonstration Phase 1A
SupportSouth ShoreTahoe Transportation District (TTD) +1 more
Latest letter May 20251 letter
The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) applied for a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant to build Phase 1A of the South Demonstration section of the Nevada Stateline-to-Stateline Bikeway. This phase is a shared walking and biking path plus sidewalk. It would link lodging and neighborhoods to popular beaches and recreation areas. We wrote to the U.S. Department of Transportation in full support.
What we asked for
- Fund the Phase 1A path and sidewalk through the fiscal year 2025 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program.
- Build this path as a key, safe, car-free link in the region's bike and walking network.
Our letters
To U.S. Department of Transportation, Secretary of Transportation
Support letter for the Tahoe Transportation District's federal grant application. We said the path would give residents and visitors a safe car-free option, ease traffic, and connect lodging and neighborhoods to beaches.
Lake Tahoe Airport Master Plan
CommentSouth ShoreCity of South Lake Tahoe
Latest letter Jun 20241 letter
The City of South Lake Tahoe's Airport Master Plan sets the long-term plan for Lake Tahoe Airport, which also houses City Hall offices. The plan considers bike access to the site. We thanked the City and suggested a scenic, low-cost bike path route using existing airport pavement, plus a quick fix on Airport Road and a bus stop at the airport.
What we asked for
- Paint one lane of one-way Airport Road as a two-way bike lane now, as a quick and cheap safety fix.
- Route a bike path from the end of Melba Drive along existing airport pavement, moving the fence to keep riders safe.
- Connect the path to the Greenway across Johnson Meadow and avoid costly crossings of the nearby stream zone.
- Keep the old air traffic control tower and restore it as a viewpoint and attraction.
- Plan a bus stop at the airport, with route 50 ending there, and consider a park-and-ride for an Emerald Bay shuttle.
Our letters
Airport Master Plan (opens in a new tab)
To City of South Lake Tahoe, Airport Master Plan staff
Comments on the draft Airport Master Plan. We welcomed planned bike access and proposed a path on existing pavement, a two-way bike lane on Airport Road, saving the old control tower, and a bus stop at the airport.
Tahoe Regional Active Transportation Plan
CommentLake-wideTahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA)
Latest letter Mar 20241 letter
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) updated its Active Transportation Plan in 2024. The plan sets the lake-wide list and priorities for bike paths, bike lanes, sidewalks and related programs. We welcomed its focus on safety and on town centers, where short trips make biking practical. We asked for bolder goals, better neighborhood bike routes, fixes to the stress maps, and changes to which projects come first.
What we asked for
- Set much more ambitious goals than the proposed 2% gain in walking and biking and 1% cut in vehicle miles traveled.
- Prioritize projects in town centers, and safer bike lanes for long rides, over a complete paved path ring around the lake.
- Define strong standards for quiet-street bike routes, including 15 mph speeds, traffic calming, smooth pavement, lighting and priority snow removal.
- Add the South Lake Tahoe Greenway extension from Herbert Ave to Ski Run Blvd and on to Van Sickle Bi-State Park, a top priority for us.
- Propose buffered and protected bike lanes on busy roads like US 50 and Pioneer Trail, and correct bike stress maps that miss real conditions.
Our letters
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency 2024 Active Transportation Plan (opens in a new tab)
To Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) planning staff
Detailed comments on the draft 2024 Active Transportation Plan. We supported its safety and town center focus and asked for bolder goals, stronger bike route standards, map corrections and reordered project priorities.
Truckee River Legacy Trail Phase 4B
SupportTruckeeTown of Truckee
Latest letter Mar 20241 letter
The Truckee River Legacy Trail is a paved path, separate from car traffic, running across Truckee from the Glenshire area in the east to Donner Lake in the west. Phase 4B fills the last major east-west gap, linking downtown and eastern Truckee with schools, the hospital, grocery stores, and jobs on the west end. It also ties into trails toward Placer County, Lake Tahoe, and Reno. We supported the Town of Truckee's funding request to build it.
What we asked for
- Fund and build Phase 4B to close the last major east-west gap in Truckee's bike and walking network.
- Give people a way to cross town by bike or on foot, separated from cars.
- Connect the Legacy Trail to the Truckee River Trail, Martis Trail, and Tahoe Pyramid Bikeway for regional travel.
- Cut traffic, driving miles, and greenhouse gas emissions by making biking and walking easy.
Our letters
RE: Truckee River Legacy Trail Phase 4B (opens in a new tab)
To Town of Truckee, Town Manager
We supported the Town of Truckee's funding request for Phase 4B, the last unbuilt section of the Legacy Trail. We highlighted its car-free crosstown route, links to regional trails, and access to parks and open space.
Related: Truckee E-Bike Share Expansion
Bijou Park Multi-Use Connector Trail
SupportSouth ShoreCity of South Lake Tahoe
Latest letter Feb 20241 letter
The City of South Lake Tahoe is planning a paved multi-use trail through Bijou Park to fill a gap between existing bike paths. It would link the Dennis T. Machida Memorial Greenway with the Al Tahoe Boulevard and future Johnson Boulevard paths, serving several nearby neighborhoods. We support the project and asked the City to build the full connection, including a section along Al Tahoe Boulevard that was not yet funded.
What we asked for
- Include the unfunded connector section along Al Tahoe Boulevard and look for more funding to finish it soon.
- Plow the trail in winter so it can be used year-round, and leave room for snow storage between path and road.
- Design the southern route to connect well with the Greenway to the east.
- Space the trail and disc golf baskets with good sight lines to avoid conflicts.
- Keep the new crosswalk and flashing beacon between Lake Tahoe Community College and the park entrance.
Our letters
Bijou Park Multi-Use Connector Trail (opens in a new tab)
To City of South Lake Tahoe, project staff
Responds to the City's trail design options. We supported the project, urged including the unfunded Al Tahoe Boulevard section, and asked for winter snow removal, snow storage, and safe spacing from disc golf.
Dollar Creek Crossing Trails and Wayfinding
SupportNorth ShorePlacer County Capital Projects Advisory Committee
Latest letter Apr 20191 letter
Dollar Creek Crossing is a housing development near Tahoe City with a planned village center. The plan includes trail links, signs, and wayfinding to connect the Dollar Hill area with the village center and Tahoe City, plus walking and biking along the highway. We supported the developer's application for a Placer County Tourism Master Plan grant to fund these pieces.
What we asked for
- Fund the trail connections, signage, and wayfinding in the Dollar Creek Crossing grant application.
- Connect the Dollar Hill area to the Dollar Creek Village Center and Tahoe City by trail.
- Give residents, working families, and visitors easy ways to walk and bike around the development and along the highway.
Our letters
To Placer County Capital Projects Advisory Committee
We supported the Related California Team's 2018-19 Tourism Master Plan grant application for Dollar Creek Crossing. Our support focused on the project's trail connections, signage, and wayfinding.
Panorama Trail near Van Sickle Bi-State Park
SupportSouth ShoreNevada Division of State Parks
Latest letter Apr 20161 letter
The Panorama Trail is a planned trail for hiking and biking with wide views of Lake Tahoe. It connects to the Van Sickle Trail, so riders can reach it straight from the town of South Lake Tahoe. TAMBA and the US Forest Service (USFS) asked Nevada State Parks for a Recreational Trails Program grant to build it, and we backed their request.
What we asked for
- Fund the TAMBA and USFS grant request to build the Panorama Trail.
- Add more riding options for locals and visitors that start right from town via the Van Sickle Trail.
Our letters
To Nevada Division of State Parks, Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Advisory Committee
As a partner of TAMBA and the USFS, we wrote in support of their Recreational Trails Program grant request for the Panorama Trail. We strongly recommended the grant be funded.
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