Mountain biking in NSW National Parks - Have your say!

[crank]

This was pointed out in the Cycling in the Media thread but if this doesn't deserve it's own thread than surely nothing else does either!

https://mountainbiking.discussions.nsw.gov.au/

Mountain Biking Discussion Paper
Mountain biking is a rapidly growing recreational activity in NSW and there is high demand for mountain biking opportunities in the state?s national parks and reserves.

Mountain biking gives riders the opportunity to enjoy our national parks, while also learning about park values. But like all activities in national parks, including bushwalking, scenic driving and picnicking, it needs to be well managed. Illegal mountain biking on walking tracks and creation of unauthorised tracks has become a problem in some national parks and reserves. It can be dangerous for riders, result in conflict with other park visitors and cause significant environmental damage. Providing opportunities for legal mountain biking has successfully reduced the unauthorised use of parks in NSW, interstate and internationally.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is considering a new approach to the management of mountain biking that includes providing mountain biking tracks in a small number of our national parks where the location is suitable, there is strong demand for the activity, and environmental impacts can be managed.

A discussion paper describing this approach has been prepared.

We are seeking community comment on the proposal and you can have your say here. We have created a number of themes for you to explore and comment on:

Proposed approach
Sharing the tracks
Mountain biking styles
Getting the features and facilities right
Minimising the impact
Code of conduct

In the media thread Felix said I was the right person to start this thread and have a say, but an opportunity like this should be taken seriously by all mtbers. So get on board and have your say. Every mountainbiker should voice their opinion on this issue.

I'll be having a read through the discussion paper and formulating a response tonight.

The closing date for comments is the 19th of October.

Those who have made comments...
Nerf Herder
The Brown Hornet
me
FelixR
ido09s
Jing
elim
milkman
taibo
thecat
Ride True
Clifton
hewey
And some who aren't members here.

Post in the thread to let everyone know that you care about this issue and are prepared to spend the short amount of time required to submit some comments on the site or via email or regular mail.

[crank]

From the discussion paper...

Experience at Royal National Park, Glenrock State Conservation Area and interstate suggests that mountain bike riders are highly motivated volunteers who are willing to complete significant amounts of work.

Nice work guys.

[crank]

39 comments about the Proposed Approach so far and all supporting the idea!

[ido09s]

I have replied to their questions

[crank]

Nice work. And unless there's another Jing going around it looks like he has got at least one reply in.

[crank]

Just got my comments in.

I'll email them as well and get Michelle to comment too.

[crank]

Current comment stats after two days are:

Proposed approach - 69
Sharing the tracks - 47
Mountain biking styles - 46
Getting the features and facilities right - 31
Minimising the impact - 21
Code of conduct - 19

That is already more comments than the NSW BikePlan discussion paper.

Even if what you want to say has already been said, add a comment anyway. The greater number of people that make a contribution the more notice will be taken of the issues raised.

A simple statement saying you support the idea is all that's needed if you are time poor.

5 weeks until it closes.

[crank]

Current comment stats after three days are:

Proposed approach - 83
Sharing the tracks - 56
Mountain biking styles - 51
Getting the features and facilities right - 39
Minimising the impact - 27
Code of conduct - 24

[felixR]

Should be 100+ now for Proposed approach

[ido09s]

the numbers dwindle quite quickly when approaching the end dont they....