Funding to connect the South Birchwood bike path on the hill between the Glenn and Old Glenn (up from Chugiak High) has passed the Alaska Legislature and is on Governor Dunleavy’s desk to sign or veto.
We are thrilled to have our Chugiak State Rep Dan Saddler as the driving force behind this request. Please contact Governor Dunleavy at (907) 269-7450 or (907) 465-3500 and let him know your thoughts about finishing the South Birchwood Path!
Prefer sending something electronically? Click the link below!
Meet at the main trailhead just off the Glenn Hwy Sat May 18th at 1:00pm next to Ben’s Bike Playground. We will be opening drains, repairing trail tread, clearing sight lines, lopping hazards, and prepping the trails for summer opening.
Bring rakes, flat shovels, hand saws, and loppers if you have them, but we will provide tools if you need them. Youth are welcome, but will need a parent signature and a responsible adult with them.
We’re looking forward to seeing you all out there!
Remember, Ben’s Bike Playground and Pump Track are already open, so bring your bikes and ENJOY!
Thank you to everyone who attended AMATS meetings and sent in public comments. This is how trails happen!
A bit of background:
Chugiak-Eagle River and the Anchorage Bowl are lumped together for federally-funded transportation projects under AMATS, Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions. In order to qualify for funding, our roads and adjacent pathways are nominated by the public, and then scored, ranked and listed in the MTP, the 20-year Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Unfortunately, this scoring criteria doesn’t look at geographical equity, so we’re stuck with a plan where 99 out of 100 nonmotorized pathway projects are proposed for the Anchorage Bowl, leaving Chugiak-Eagle River underfunded.
Luckily, AMATS has a system where the public is encouraged to participate and help balance regional investment. The Policy Committee includes representatives from the State of Alaska and the Municipality of Anchorage. This committee approves which projects from the MTP that are funded for the next four years in what is called the TIP, Transportation Improvement Program.
TIP funding is updated frequently, and projects can be added or removed. In this last amendment, tens of millions of dollars of funding for Eagle River Road was shifted to Anchorage Bowl projects. Because of the massive amount of comments in support of Chugiak-Eagle River, the Policy Committee voted to keep funding for the nonmotorized part of the larger road project.
CMBR Kids relies on our volunteers to get kids out on the trails. If you would like to volunteer as a Parent Sweep, Pavilion Parent, Assistant Coach, Site Coordinator, or Coach, please use the link below:
Tues June 11th 7pm Bike Checks (youth and adult required bike safety check)
Weds June 12th 7pm Coach Bike Skills Night (coach training)
Thurs June 13th 7pm Coach Safety Orientation (coach training)
Tues June 18th 7pm First Night of CMBR Kids
CMBR Kids 2024 is a 6-week program that will take place from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Mirror Lake Park in Chugiak on Tuesday and Thursday nights from June 18th to July 25th. There will be a total of 11 sessions (break for July 4th). Riders should plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early to unload bikes and be ready to join their group.
Age Requirements:
CMBR kids is intended for children between the ages of 6 and 16. Parents of children ages 7 and younger must remain at Mirror Lake for the duration of the session and are highly encouraged (but not required) to ride along with the group.
All Riders – Required Gear: – A reliable bike with hand brakes and gears that shift – Bike helmet – Closed toe shoes: NO slip-ons or sandals – Water bottle or hydration pack – Small snack – Extra inner tube – Comfortable clothes. Try finding clothes that are a blend of poly or another moisture wicking fabric. No jeans, please!
All Riders – Recommended Gear: – Bike gloves – Protective eyewear – Bug spray
Competitive Rider Program – Recommended Gear: CMBR is pleased to account the Competitive Rider Program this year. The following gear is recommended, in addition to the “Bike, Helmet, and Riding Gear Requirements”: – Disc brakes (hydraulic preferred) – Air suspension (hard tails are okay, but no rigid forks) – Knobby tires – 1x drivetrain (no front derailleur) – Dropper post or quick release for seat
In January 2024, non-motorized advocates successfully championed extending the separated bike path on Eagle River Road from Eagle River Loop Rd to Mile 5.3 (O’Riedner) as a part of a larger road rehabilitation project.
Construction was slated to begin in 2025.
In February 2024, AMATS (Transportation) staff proposed cutting the entire $60M road/path project (paid for 90% with Federal dollars) and shift funds from Chugiak-Eagle River to Anchorage Bowl road projects.
Over the past decade approximately $60M has been invested in Anchorage Bowl pathways, and zero funds have been spent in Chugiak-Eagle River.
Our vision is to connect the Moose Loop in Anchorage to outlying communities, including a path along the Glenn Hwy to Eklutna, and a path to the Nature Center along Eagle River Rd.
Please email AMATS and let them know your thoughts about the PROPOSED funding cuts to the Eagle River Rd pathway, and about prioritizing bike path projects along the Glenn Hwy and Eagle River Rd.
Should AMATS cut funding to the Eagle River Rd Pathway? Let them know, send an email!
Chugach Mountain Bike Riders requests proposals from qualified contractors to design and construct approximately 1.5 miles of hardened gravel trail at Beach Lake Park in Chugiak, Alaska.
The expansion of the Chugiak-Eagle River trail system and the growth of Southcentral Alaska’s mountain bike community depends on donations from our trail users. Historically, CMBR has been able to match $10 to every one dollar you have donated. (Many employers have also doubled your donations, thank you!)
Please consider an end of year donation of $35, $50, $100 or $500 to allow us to continue our work into 2024.
