Santa Cruz County railroad to enforce track trespass rules

Posted on July 25, 2009 by .
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The Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railroad right of way is a very popular corridor for cyclists and walkers to travel between the city of Santa Cruz and Henry Cowell State Park, Felton and beyond into Santa Cruz County. Big Trees management has always been supportive of cycling in Santa Cruz County and took a very relaxed attitude about cyclists riding along the railroad, but junkies using the right of way for their activities are forcing Big Trees to protect their right of way.


No Trespassing

Because they say trespass enforcement must be applied equally to everybody (huh?), railroad officials this weekend handed out warnings informing cyclists and walkers that they will begin to cite people for trespassing soon.

Props to Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz president Mark Davidson.



See also:

  1. Santa Cruz County and Stimulus Transportation Funding
  2. Bicycle friendly businesses in Santa Cruz County
  3. Bike To Work Santa Cruz County
  4. Mountain bike Delaveaga Park Santa Cruz


  • Anonymous

    I understand that trespassing is a huge liability issue for the railroads. In my locale, there are a few bike paths that are not easily accessed except by trespassing on RR property (crossing tracks). The police regularly issue $500 citations. No, that is not a typo – $500 is the fine.

  • Anonymous

    I understand that trespassing is a huge liability issue for the railroads. In my locale, there are a few bike paths that are not easily accessed except by trespassing on RR property (crossing tracks). The police regularly issue $500 citations. No, that is not a typo – $500 is the fine.

  • Yokota Fritz

    Liability can be a problem in many states, but in California it's not an issue at all — if you die or are injured on railroad tracks in California, the railroad is not at fault, regardless of any efforts (or not) on the RR part to enforce trespassing.In Santa Cruz County, for example, a railroad trestle bridge is a common route for walkers and cyclists to cross over the San Lorenzo River near the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. The RR owner never enforces its property rights along the railroad; and lawsuits brought against Union Pacific for injuries are routinely dismissed.

  • Yokota Fritz

    Liability can be a problem in many states, but in California it's not an issue at all — if you die or are injured on railroad tracks in California, the railroad is not at fault, regardless of any efforts (or not) on the RR part to enforce trespassing.

    In Santa Cruz County, for example, a railroad trestle bridge is a common route for walkers and cyclists to cross over the San Lorenzo River near the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. The RR owner never enforces its property rights along the railroad; and lawsuits brought against Union Pacific for injuries are routinely dismissed.

  • http://www.cyclelicio.us/2011/arana-gulch-pogonip-and-the-santa-cruz-sierra-club/ Cyclelicious » Arana Gulch, Pogonip and the Santa Cruz Sierra Club

    [...] Biking on track ballast isn’t an ideal travel mode, but that option was removed in 2009 when Big Trees Railroad began enforcing their property rights. I know people who’ve given up cycling in favor of driving to work because of this removed [...]