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.

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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.

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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.

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Just got my comments in.

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

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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.

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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

[Jing]

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

thats me

[crank]

Hey folks,

Interesting reading this over in SA (I haven't finished yet!!)...

Be sure to get your comments in and positive for MTB; SA has had two park trail plans released in the last 18 months or so that had provision for XC access on already established trails and both got overwhelming support from the MTBers here. However, we are yet to see anything actually happen on the ground.

An overall strategy (similar to this proposed one) was released also and again, there were lots of positive MTB submissions. However, behind the scenes there have been huge negative approaches to Parks and the Minister that oversees them by the "walking" and "conservation" groups (quoted because not all members agree - a la MTB!); consequently, this has yet to be put into process or officially adopted either.

Now, yet another strategy paper is to be released in order to gauge which direction Parks will take. We must again go through the process. And all of this is for access to trails that already exist and require a minimal amount of modification (some of which should be done anyway for sustainability for walking, let alone riding...)

Your submission is only the very beginning - but equally the most important Without proof of support for the project, this will stay as a discussion and nothing more will happen. However, don't be fooled; just because there are minimal negative comments visible, do not think that direct emails and letters have not been sent, and that therefore new trails will be ready for riding in the next month or two!!

There are now groups that are promoting anti-MTB access to parks in Adelaide that have not even been slated for masterplan review yet by Parks, yet due to comments in the above mentioned strategy plan, may have fireroads reviewed for bike accesibilty; Fireroad - Suitable for the Rangers Ute and CFS with fire fighting equipment to use, but ~100kg of bike and rider will cause devastation and problems for the Flora and Fauna! And this is even before Parks have looked at it themselves, let alone tried to do it!

This is why you MUST make a submission of some sort AND make sure everyone you ride with does the same even "I want to be able to ride legal trails in Parks" is better than nothing. Remind those that say they have no time to do it that they should therefore give you their bike and gear, cos they'll have no use for it if they don't make a submission. That usually gets their attention!!

As for the DH trails debate; I would say you raise the issue within your submission; however expect to be the last of the core MTBers to join the party! Yes, DH trails can be built in a sustainable manner. However, this costs a comparatively large amount of time and money as generally walking trails avoid the type of terrain that would be good for DH. This means they will be the absolute hardest to get approval for as they will - generally - require new trail to be established and much more work (armouring, drainage, etc) to set up well, compared to less invasive modifications to existing walking trail for XC use. Furthermore, a few fireroads and easy XC trails are perfect for Mum, Dad and little Johnny on his stabiliser equipped K-Mart bike to ride on; and that is a much easier user group to "sell" to those opposed to MTBs in Parks, rather than "eXXXtreme" DHers, as mentioned above. Further again, the fact that DH can be built sustainably is currently irrelevant as they aren't looking to build anything, just modify and allow access, as appropriate, on what is already there.

However, with all that said, if you don't ask, you never get, so if you want DH in future, let them know there is desire for it.

Overall, it is probably the best thing you could ask for about now; from no legal access and recently the troubles at Manly Dam, to a discussion about some access in parks, and building a relationship with Parks that will lead to wherever you want it to with time and patience.