Angeles District - Mountain Bike Unit


Mountain Bike Unit

The Mountain Bike Unit (MBU) is a cooperative volunteer organization working with the National Park Service (NPS), California State Parks and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority in the Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area. The typical MBU member is an avid mountain bicyclist with a passion for community service, public land management and resource protection. The MBU’s purpose is to compliment and expand visitor services and resource protection by providing extended patrol coverage for Malibu Creek, Point Mugu, Topanga, Will Rogers, and other California state parks as assigned.  The goal of the MBU is to enrich the park visitor’s experience.

 

Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Patrol the park on mountain bikes with on duty MBU partners while carrying a park two-way radio.
  • Provide information and public assistance to park visitors, resource protection, interpretation of natural and cultural resources, and interpretation of park regulations.
  • Keep Park staff informed of emergencies, serious violations, and hazards.
  • Self-schedule in advance (via website) and sign in and out at the day’s reporting location.  Members will log their activities (via website) within one day of completing patrol.

 

Qualifications/Skills Required:  Members possess an enthusiastic attitude and a desire to help California State Parks, a willingness to share skills and knowledge with other volunteers and the ability to work on a team.  Members demonstrate an ability to contact visitors in a courteous, informed, and positive manner.  Members must:

  1. Attend and complete all required trainings including CPR/First Aid.
  2. Own a mountain bike (Class 1 e-Bikes permitted) and helmet and demonstrate the ability to ride safely in all park conditions.
  3. Must be at least 18 years of age, in good physical condition, able to endure an all-day ride; and be able to perform occasional lifting bending, walking, and climbing as required.
  4. Candidates must pass all trainings including a “Scenario Day” session before acceptance into the MBU. Members are expected to follow department policy and always adhere to MBU guidelines.

 

Time Commitment:  Patrol at least 100 hours per calendar year and train with the unit at least 12 hours per calendar year.

 

Training:  Attend initial agency specific orientation, trainings, scenario day and an annual review day. The training cycle for new members starts in late January and ends in May.