Bike Park Liability Issues

The subjects of liability and insurance are frequently brought up when discussing the issues standing in the way of getting Bike Parks on the ground in San Diego. This is the first of a series of my ramblings on this subject.

Liability and insurance are two different issues. First let me define LIABILITY:

Anything for which a person is legally bound or obligated, as to make good any loss or damage that occurs.

For those of us that are old enough to operate automobiles, we all were introduced to this word via liability insurance. Simply stated, liability insurance is intended to protect us when we make a mistake, ie: we are the cause of an accident.

Drivers purchase insurance, liability insurance, and pay dearly for such insurance, so that if in the event we cause an accident, our hope is that the thousands of dollars of premiums we paid into our insurance policy over the years will pay for our mistake.

The City of San Diego has every right to be concerned about liability. Every single day of every year, lawsuits are filed against our City. Over a hundred lawsuits a day is not uncommon. Some of the lawsuits have merit, meaning there are legitimate reasons behind the suits. I'm not saying the City is at fault, I'm stating there are legitimate reasons.

Many of the filed lawsuits are frivolous suits. These lawsuits are filed by people looking for personal gain and use lawsuits based on unsubstantiated claims. Some suits are simply fraudulent. Some people look at government as "big, deep pockets" and take a shot at getting some money via lawsuits. I have a couple adjectives to describe how I feel about such types of people, but I'll refrain for the moment.

Knowing that City's are getting lawsuits filed against them every day, hundreds of suits a day, and obviously one will never win 100% of the time, who would insure a City? The better question: How much would a City's liability insurance premium cost?

Drivers that have been involved in an auto accident that was not their fault many times see their insurance premiums increase. Drivers that were determined to be liable for an accident usually see their insurance premiums skyrocket, if not cancelled.

So, how do City's protect themselves from liability? How can City's afford this protection?

I will address these and other questions in my next installment. Please check back here soon.

2012 Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, updates.

Due to the interest in this event we are asking that you please RSVP to tkmbd@sdmba.com , please let us know how many children you plan to bring. No riders will be turned away but an RSVP is being requested. 

Join SDMBA/SDMBA-PRO for Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day 2012 at beautiful Morley Field in San Diego's Balboa Park. The initial schedule looks somewhat like this:
Registration/Waivers
Safety Brief

Responsible trail use talk and demo (demo of trailbuilding tools, techniques, etc)
BIKE RODEO!!!!!!!!
break out into age groups and ride
Assemble following rides
food + drink + social time + drawing for sponsor supplied goods. (So far Santa Cruz Bicycles and Niner Bikes have provided goods, more will be coming in soon)

All riders must sign a waiver, wear a helmet and abide by all bicycle safety rules outlined in the safety brief. Parents are asked to join their kid(s) and help out and have fun. This is a no cost event, if you have so much fun that you feel like making a donation, donate away. Fun is (almost) guaranteed for both kids and parents.


Mountain Bikes, BMX, Striders all welcome.


*schedule of events is subject to change but the date and time will remain. All updates will be posted here.

August 2012 Update

SDMBA-PRO has been busy this month:

Aug. 1: SDMBA-PRO was invited and attended SD County Trails Advisory Committee meeting hosted by District 2 County Supervisor Dianne Jacob. Supervisor Jacob discussed her recent trip to Washington DC, where she met the second highest ranking Marine General in the country at the Pentagon to discuss the Stowe Trail issues.

Supervisor Jacob and Pacific Marine Command based at Camp Pendleton have opened dialog and are working to find a solution. Supervisor Jacob assured everyone present at the Trails meeting she "Will never quit until we find a solution".

SDMBA-PRO discussed the Bike Park concept and Supervisor Jacob showed genuine interest. SDMBA-PRO will be meeting with Supervisor Jacob in the near future to discuss a specific site. Stay tuned.

Aug. 10: SDMBA-PRO attended SD County DP&R Board meeting and discussed a potential site for a Bike Park with the Director of SD County DP&R Brian Albright. SDMBA-PRO will be meeting with Director Albright in the near future. Stay tuned.

Aug. 14: SDMBA-PRO gave a presentation and submitted a proposal to Sweetwater Union High School District officials. The proposal is to construct and maintain two pump tracks and multiple dirt jump lines on property owned by SUHSD.

This is a very unique opportunity and SDMBA-PRO is looking "outside the box" to create Bike Parks for residents & visitors to SD County.

We will need the riding community's help to make anything happen. Stay tuned and be ready to help fund raise.

SDMBA Mammoth Weekend - August 9-12, 2012 - Book your rooms and passes today!

Come join all of your SDMBA friends for a fun-filled long weekend of riding all the great trails at the Mammoth Mountain Bike Park. We will drive up on Thursday, ride Friday, Saturday and Sunday am before heading back home to SD. SDMBA has secured discounted rates for lodging and discounted rates bike park passes (lift tickets) for all of our valued members and supporters.

In order to get your discounts, you must do the following:
1) Make your reservations by calling 1-800-MAMMOTH (1-800-626-6684)
Book your rooms with the following info by calling 1-800-626-6684:
Group ID: 15598
Password: 37014654

2)You MUST book your discount lodging under the SDMBA group block in order to receive the discounts on bike park passes.

3)You MUST book your lodging and Bike Park passes NO LATER THAN AUGUST 8. After AUGUST 8, the discount will no longer be available.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
1)FRIDAY, AUG 10: "Get-to-know-Mammoth" group ride at the bike park: One of your SDMBA board members, Wendi, will lead the group around the whole mountain exploring all of the intermediate and some of the advanced trails (depending on group ability). This is a great way to meet some new friends, explore the beauty of mammoth and learn a few skills along the way. We'll meet at the main lodge (Adventure Center) in the am, ride a few trails then break for lunch in the village (on your own). We will regroup after lunch for some more downhill/XC fun until the lifts close or we all decide that it's time to stop.
2) SAT, AUG 11: SDMBA Group BBQ Dinner (TBD)

FOR HOTEL STAYS:
You must book BY AUGUST 8 in order to get room discounts.

Rates are subject to 13% occupancy tax and .75% civic fee. There is also a resort fee of $10/night (reduced from $20/night).

You may cancel or change the reservation up to 2 full days in advance of arrival date with a $50.00 change/cancellation fee. Within 2 days of arrival all reservations are non-changeable, non-transferable and non refundable, unless other arrangements have been made.

Group check-in time is after 4:00 PM. Group checkout time is 11:00 AM.

Upon arrival, the room keys will be issued to guests identified on the group rooming list. All keys must be returned to the Front Desk no later than 11:30 AM on day of departure. Any key not returned to the Front Desk by this time will be deactivated and access to that room will be denied. Should MMSA find any individuals have re-entered a room after 11:30 AM without prior authorization from the Front Desk, we reserve the right to charge your account an additional half-day room rental. In order to avoid these charges, all keys must be returned to the Front Desk by 11:30 AM.

FOR BIKE PARK PASSES:
Call 1-800-626-6684 to get your bike park passes (Discounts apply only if you've booked a discounted room. You must call BY AUGUST 8):

There has been a thread started on the SDMBA Forum for this trip. This is the place to find all of the answers to your questions, look for carpools and for sharing lodging as well. Final details will go out in TrailNews the Wednesday before the trip.

Don't be left out of this great weekend of riding, make your reservations today!

8/7 at 6:30pm - Next SDMBA-PRO Meeting

The next SDMBA PRO meeting is August 7th at 6:30pm, location: 6314 Riverdale St San Diego CA 92120
if you want a Bike Park, Progressive trails and DH trails in San Diego, come to this meeting.

Agenda items:
Locations for a Bike Park in San Diego
Tour De fat
DH Clinic
Call for help
PRO Photo Contest

If you have a topic you would like to add to the agenda please send an email to greg@lambertphoto.com