American River Bike Patrol

06/11/2026

🚴 What a day! On Monday, June 8th, ARBP had the honor of es**rting the Journey of Hope North Route Team — Pi Kappa Phi fraternity brothers on a cross-country bike ride from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. — during their stop at the California State Capitol.
Their mission? Raising awareness and funds for people with disabilities through The Ability Experience, all while riding 75+ miles a day across the country. Once in a lifetime stuff. 🇺🇸

This stop was organized by United Cerebral Palsy of Sacramento & Northern California — thank you for putting together such a meaningful visit! 💛

At the Capitol, the riders were welcomed by Senator Ashby's office with a certificate honoring their journey, before ARBP es**rted them on to Meristem School, where they were treated to dinner and an evening with the students — sharing stories from the road and answering questions about their incredible journey.

Twelve ARBP patrollers turned out for the es**rt, coordinated by Team Leader 1 Sherry Martinez. Thank you to everyone who came out to represent the patrol! 🚲

A huge thank you to Meristem School for opening their doors and hosting these amazing riders for the night. 🙏

If you'd like to support the riders' mission, you can donate directly to The Ability Experience here: https://support.abilityexperience.org/donate

Learn more about the Journey of Hope: https://www.abilityexperience.org/programs/journey-of-hope/

06/09/2026

𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿! 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️

ARBP patrollers Rich Fowler and Vic Massenkoff recently had the pleasure of riding alongside the Lincoln Hills Cyclists on the American River Parkway and the Johnny Cash Trail — and what a ride it was!

This kind of community connection is at the heart of what we do. Getting out on the trails with fellow cycling enthusiasts isn't just fun — it's how we spread the word about trail safety, stewardship, and the rewarding work of bike patrolling.

🎥 Check out the video and learn more about the Lincoln Hills Cyclists: https://www.lincolnhillscyclists.com/

Interested in joining our volunteer patrol? We'd love to have you! 👉 americanriverbikepatrol.org/join-patrol

06/02/2026

🚲 E-bike & e-moto safety is a growing concern on our local trails — and it’s going to take all of us.

In two recent Sacramento news segments, Vic Massenkoff and fellow members of the American River Bike Patrol joined park rangers, law enforcement, and community members to sound the alarm on high-speed, modified "e-motos" and the very real dangers they pose to riders, pedestrians, and equestrians along the American River Parkway. Patroller Chris Warren joined Vic on the KCRA 3 story, and Kathie Mahdavi took part in the ABC10 segment.

The message from our patrollers and public-safety partners is clear: education, awareness, and a community-wide culture shift are key to keeping everyone safe. Slow down, share the trail, and wear a helmet — it’s never too late. 👏

📺 KCRA: https://www.kcra.com/article/e-bike-e-moto-crackdown-american-river-parkway/71447789
📺 ABC10: https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/fair-oaks-carmichael/sacramento-area-officials-push-education-amid-e-bike-concerns/103-f067f2c9-46e2-42f2-a802-c7d7bde0c173

Others at the meeting expressed concern about modified e-bikes and e-motos.

05/29/2026

🚨 Big news for trail users across the Sacramento region — and ARBP is part of the conversation.

PBS KVIE's Abridged just published an in-depth look at the growing e-bike and e-moto safety crisis on the American River Parkway, featuring ARBP volunteers including Public Information Officer Vic Massenkoff, Patrol Team 1 Leader Sherry Martinez, and other dedicated members of our patrol.

The article covers the real dangers of high-speed e-motos and modified e-bikes — machines that can reach speeds well over 30 mph on trails shared with walkers, runners, kids, and equestrians. It also spotlights the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors' new ordinance, adopted May 12 and taking effect June 12, that upgrades violations from infractions to potential misdemeanors.

A few important reminders for everyone enjoying our trails:
✅ Class 1 & Class 2 e-bikes are permitted (stay under 15 mph)
❌ Class 3 e-bikes and e-motos are NOT allowed on the parkway
🐴 Slow down and give right of way to pedestrians and equestrians
⛑️ Helmets. Always.

As our own Vic Massenkoff put it: "It's going to take almost a societal, cultural change. There's no one effort that, on its own, is going to solve the problem."

📖 Read the full article: https://www.abridged.org/news/sacramento-bike-trails-safety/

🌐 Learn more about us: https://www.americanriverbikepatrol.org

💛 Want to be part of the solution? We're always looking for new volunteers. Visit our website to learn how to join — no experience necessary, and training is covered.

Hashtags:

High-speed e-bikes and e-motos are created new safety problems on the American River Parkway bike trail and other Sacramento trails

05/28/2026

𝗕𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗼𝘃𝗮 𝗛𝗦! 🚴‍♂️✅

Our ARBP Bike Academy mentors recently set up a Bike Safety Check Station at Cordova HS — home of the Velo Lancers! A few more students were recruited on the spot, and we're excited to announce the Academy roster is now FULL for this year's class! 🙌

The Bike Academy gives students hands-on cycling safety skills and guided trail rides — building confidence on two wheels and a lifelong love of cycling. None of it happens without our amazing volunteer mentors!

Want to ride with a purpose and make a difference in your community? Learn more at 👉 www.americanriverbikepatrol.org

05/25/2026

🚲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁! 🚲

We were proud to host reporters from PBS KVIE and CapRadio at William Pond Park for a story on multi-use trail safety — and we didn’t do it alone.

ARBP Public Information Officer Vic Massenkoff brought together representatives from the Sacramento Regional Parks Rangers and the American River Parkway Volunteer Equestrian Patrol to show how preserving trail safety is a true collaboration between public agencies and volunteer organizations working side by side

As ARBP Safety Patrol Adviser Chris Haustein put it, respectful and considerate trail-sharing by ALL users is the foundation of keeping our parkway accessible, safe, and positive for everyone. 💚

Big thanks to KVIE and CapRadio for helping us spread the word!

See our red shirts with the white cross out there? Flag us down — we’re here to help. 🙌

Want to be part of the team that keeps our trails safe? Becoming a patroller is now easier than ever. Learn more at americanriverbikepatrol.org 🚲

05/24/2026

🚲 Helmets On, Futures Bright! ✨

Our patrollers recently visited Cordova Meadows Elementary to present our Helmet Safety Program to 5th grade classes — and what a rewarding day it was!

Thanks to a generous helmet donation from UC Davis, we were able to properly fit over 50 helmets for students who had bikes or scooters but didn't own one. A properly fitted helmet is one of the simplest, most effective ways to keep a young rider safe. 🛡️

And here's what makes this so special: many of these students will one day attend Cordova High — home of our Bike Academy and the Velo Lancers. The 5th graders we met today could very well become our future bike patrollers! 🚴

Educating, equipping, and inspiring the next generation of safe riders is at the heart of what we do.

🙏 UC Davis makes programs like this possible by providing the helmets that keep these kids safe. Want to help them put more helmets on more young riders? You can support their efforts here: https://give.ucdavis.edu/MCMN/9400870

05/23/2026

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀, 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. 🚲

Whether you're on an e-bike, scooter, bike, or on foot, our trails work best when we all look out for one another, a value we live by every time we patrol.

We're glad to see Supervisor Rich Desmond bringing the community together with CHP and Sacramento County Regional Park Rangers, agencies we're proud to coordinate with out on the parkway. If you care about keeping our trails safe and welcoming, this is worth your time.
Hope to see some of you there! 🌳

Join Supervisor Rich Desmond for a community conversation about shared responsibility and safety for e-bikes, scooters, bicycles, and pedestrians. He will be joined by the California Highway Patrol, Sacramento County Regional Park Rangers, and the Sacramento County Department of Transportation to engage with residents on improving the safety of our roads and trails. It will take place on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Carmichael Park Clubhouse - 5750 Grant Ave, Carmichael, CA 95608.

05/21/2026

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗘-𝗯𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗘-𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗼?

You've probably seen them on the trail — fast, quiet, and easy to mistake for an e-bike. But e-motos are something very different.

E-motos are electric motorcycles. They have no pedals, run on a throttle, and are not legal on streets, sidewalks, bike paths, or bike lanes. They require Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) registration through the DMV and can only be ridden in designated OHV areas.

E-bikes, on the other hand, have pedals, limited motor power, and are legal on the multi-use trails we patrol.

This handy guide from California State Parks breaks down the differences clearly. We're sharing it because trail safety starts with awareness — for riders, for families, and for everyone enjoying our trails across Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer Counties.

If you see an e-moto being ridden on a multi-use trail, our patrollers are happy to share educational info, and we encourage reporting unsafe activity to the appropriate agency.

🚴 Learn more: ohv.parks.ca.gov
🌐 About ARBP: americanriverbikepatrol.org

05/20/2026

🎉 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗥𝗕𝗣 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘁 🎉

We're proud to share that four members of the American River Bike Patrol were recognized this past Saturday by the National Ski Patrol's Mother Lode Region:

🏆 𝗝𝗶𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀 — Outstanding Bike Patroller of the Region
🏆 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘃𝗶 — Outstanding Bike Host of the Region
⭐ 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻 — NSP Green Merit Star (Arduous/Heroic Rescue)
⭐ 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 — NSP Green Merit Star (Arduous/Heroic Rescue)

Green Merit Stars are rarely awarded. They recognize patrollers who put their NSP training to work in genuinely difficult, hazardous rescue situations.

Last August, Chris and Rick came upon a cyclist on the Lake Natoma Loop who had gone over the handlebars and suffered serious chest injuries, including a punctured lung. By the time they reached him he was in severe shock with dangerously low blood oxygen and no detectable pulse in his hands.

While Rick worked to keep the scene safe — riders kept barreling through blind corners, refusing to slow even with ambulances on the path — Chris ran the trauma assessment and tracked vitals every five minutes. When a State Parks Ranger arrived, Chris helped him assemble and administer oxygen the patient urgently needed. Within three minutes, the patient's oxygen levels climbed from critical to manageable.

He spent a couple of days in the ICU at Sutter Roseville. He's recovering. And he's alive in no small part because two volunteer bike patrollers were on the trail that morning.

This is what our patrollers train for. Every shift, every mile, every red shirt with a white cross on the trail — it adds up to moments like this.

Congratulations to Jim, Kathie, Chris, and Rick. We're honored to ride alongside you. 👏

Interested in joining the patrol? 👉 americanriverbikepatrol.org/join-patrol