Berowra Valley Regional Park

[Dumbellina]

Here's the Plan of Management for Berowra Valley Regional Park. Its a popular spot for MTB and yet contains sweet fuck all - in fact it will have the effect of closing down all other areas bar three firetrails.

The only bike group consulted was Bike North - a big bicycle user group for the northern suburbs (mostly roadies). This is why cycleways are seen as a bigger issue in a conservation management plan than access to natural space for MTB. Why wasn't Manly Warringah Club involved, or MTB Australia, or any other group?

This is why we get expelled from natural areas. Not whether a DH bike causes more damage than an XC bike, rather because we are seen as ineffective, apathetic and incapable of having productive input into management plans. I know we are not - the Royal Cycling Plan (as flawed as it was) proves otherwise.

The same happened as Kosiosco and MTB'rs were left to negotiate over the scaps after the bushwalkers have expelled us from all decent riding areas.

Check out: http://www3.environment.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/dec_media_050719_03

6.2.4 Cycling
Cycling or bike riding (as opposed to motor bike riding) has been one of the more popular
recreation pursuits in recent years. Cycling is currently permitted on all management trails in
the Park with the exception of those sections of trail within the rifle range safety zone.
Cycling is not permitted on walking tracks.
A key finding of the Hornsby Shire’s Recreation Survey was that a lack of cycleways was a
barrier to recreational pursuits in the area. Following this finding, Hornsby Shire Council
commissioned a Bicycle Study (adopted in 1998), which identified a number of existing
tracks which could be upgraded for use as formal cycleways. This study recommended the
upgrading of three (3) tracks within the Park for bicycle use:
• Westleigh (Timbarra Rd) to Pennant Hills (Bellamy Street);
• Cherrybrook (Stringybark Ridge area); and
• Quarry Road Track.

Desired Outcome:
• The provision of appropriate cycleways for users of the Berowra Valley Regional Park.
Management Strategies:
• Cycling will be permitted on all management trails in the Park with the exception of
those sections of trail on private property or within the rifle range safety zone;
• Cycling is not permitted on walking tracks;
• The three proposed tracks will be assessed to determine impacts on natural or
historic values and, subject to minimal impacts, upgraded to cycleway standard; and
• The provision of facilities and management of bicycle use of the Park will be
undertaken in consultation with Hornsby Shire Council and in accordance with the
Bicycle Plan (1998).

[ihatescarves]

What do they mean by "cycleway standard"? Concreting? Yeah, thanks, Bike North, why not just get the council to concrete all the fire roads so there's no where to ride a MTB at all...

[Shintaro]

• The three proposed tracks will be assessed to determine impacts on natural or
historic values and, subject to minimal impacts, upgraded to cycleway standard;

I don't get it????

Alot of the fireroads in the area needed upgrading to allow vehicle access, but if it was designed as a cycling road thru the bush to help roadies take a short cut, where is the National Park's & Wildlife's support for mountain bikers, or any local councils for that matter...

As for impact on environment historical values, there is a horrible concrete road for a few clicks where once there was a decrepite gravel fireroad for a few clicks. The only sections that needed upgrading were the uphill sections, but they concreted the whole way thru the bush... (yuck!!) :eek:

[PDogg]

The only bike group consulted was Bike North - a big bicycle user group for the northern suburbs (mostly roadies). This is why cycleways are seen as a bigger issue in a conservation management plan than access to natural space for MTB. Why wasn't Manly Warringah Club involved, or MTB Australia, or any other group?
.

We were consulted, albiet via our request! As you can tell, the council's appraoch is focused more on the family Sunday ride with the kiddies than the core MTBer. Having spoken with the appropriate contact at Hornsby council, they are aware of our needs and persepctive.

I'm not sure whether it will be Hornsby or Ku Ring Gai council who makes the first move (probably the latter), but there are MTB specific/considerate plans firmly in the short to mid term future for the MTBers of the north.

[Dumbellina]

We were consulted, albiet via our request! As you can tell, the council's appraoch is focused more on the family Sunday ride with the kiddies than the core MTBer. Having spoken with the appropriate contact at Hornsby council, they are aware of our needs and persepctive.

I'm not sure whether it will be Hornsby or Ku Ring Gai council who makes the first move (probably the latter), but there are MTB specific/considerate plans firmly in the short to mid term future for the MTBers of the north.

It will be too late if you rely on the Council to make the first move. Once the Plan of Management is in place you have buckley's chance of changing it in a way that will favour MTB.

This is a serious problem. Clubs and riders have to take access very seriously and not assume Council or DEC will look after our interests. We have to lobby, have to be heard, have to be involved. We have to prove that we are good recreational users - look at the Manly Dam - by showing land managers we are willing to have positive input and also provide help with trail maintenance. Not just that, what about bush regeneration work also.