Trackless--Help petition

[THE YETI]

It has been brought to my attention in a few of people previous posts, that the number of tracks is diminishing due to the government/councils closing venues. Australian's are dominating the worldcup circuts, so why is it that the government is closing down venues for the massively progressive sport that is MTB??This is total bullshit (scuse the french) it all comes down to Insurance, and $$$ that it costs to create and maintain quality dh tracks.

Mountainbiking is quickly becoming a massive sport(again) and it is getting a massive kick in the guts by lack of land access. Meaning people new to the sport and veterans alike have bugger all places to ride, meaning hours of travel just to ride our bikes.

I put it to all the farkin-ers that we begin a petition just to show the government and all critics alike, just how big our biking society is. I feel that if we show them exactly how many of us there are around the country that want to ride and have our 'local trails' that perhaps land access issues will ease.

Just wondering if anyone has the same ideas as me? Im happy to do all the work if we can get petitions happening. If anyone if affiliated with bike shops that would like to start taking down names of people that are willing to put their names forward for land access that would be great.

[khanage666]

The best idea I think anyone has suggested.
We as mountainbikers need somewhere legal to ride.
The only problems I think will be is INSURANCE. Only because we have become more like America where everyone sues everyone.:mad: And finding somewhere decent to build a track.
But I think if you make it so all the mountain bike clubs of NSW are involved and somehow our membershipfee will carry over insurance wise.
Or even pay a few $$$$$$$$ when you turn up to the place.
Can I suggest you make some petition forms up and post them around to people on FARKIN so they can drop them into thier LBS to get things rolling.
You can definately count me in PM me if you need any help as i would be happy to do so. :D

[leitch]

problem is, a nationwide petition given to the federal government won't do shit. the federal government is not able to tell the state governments how to magage their land, etc, and thus, petitioning access and land from the federal government won't do shit.

[sammydog]

It has been brought to my attention in a few of people previous posts, that the number of tracks is diminishing due to the government/councils closing venues. Australian's are dominating the worldcup circuts, so why is it that the government is closing down venues for the massively progressive sport that is MTB??This is total bullshit (scuse the french) it all comes down to Insurance, and $$$ that it costs to create and maintain quality dh tracks.

Mountainbiking is quickly becoming a massive sport(again) and it is getting a massive kick in the guts by lack of land access. Meaning people new to the sport and veterans alike have bugger all places to ride, meaning hours of travel just to ride our bikes.

I put it to all the farkin-ers that we begin a petition just to show the government and all critics alike, just how big our biking society is. I feel that if we show them exactly how many of us there are around the country that want to ride and have our 'local trails' that perhaps land access issues will ease.

Just wondering if anyone has the same ideas as me? Im happy to do all the work if we can get petitions happening. If anyone if affiliated with bike shops that would like to start taking down names of people that are willing to put their names forward for land access that would be great.


Sorry to be the negative one, but insurance is just a small piece of the problem.

A few other points to discuss on why we have trails taken away.

-Trails built without permission of the land owner.
- Proliferation of poorly built trails with no regard to environmental constraints.
- No regard to existing trails and features. ie, people creating straight lines and alternate lines because they can't rude them.
- Rubbish
- Lack of respect for oither land users.

This is only a small list because I have to leave the house, but you are niave if you think insurance is the only reason. Tealistically the Mtb community (not all and possibly a minority) is part of the probl;em. Until our attitude changes, we have little chance of convincing govt/private land owners to change theirs.

[THE YETI]

Sorry to be the negative one, but insurance is just a small piece of the problem.

A few other points to discuss on why we have trails taken away.

-Trails built without permission of the land owner.
- Proliferation of poorly built trails with no regard to environmental constraints.
- No regard to existing trails and features. ie, people creating straight lines and alternate lines because they can't rude them.
- Rubbish
- Lack of respect for oither land users.

This is only a small list because I have to leave the house, but you are niave if you think insurance is the only reason. Tealistically the Mtb community (not all and possibly a minority) is part of the probl;em. Until our attitude changes, we have little chance of convincing govt/private land owners to change theirs.


This is all 100% true, but with the help of the cycling community things like rubbish can be quite easily contrlled by trail users even if it does come to picking up after other users (as much as we might hate it).

Land owners consent is a big issue that can be overcome i feel by the introduction of official trails that comply with environmental needs and cater for most levels of riding(to a degree( Dont ride the hard tracks if you dont have the skills).

Poorly built trails are crap to ride anyway. Im proposing trails built by local clubs or the introduction of new clubs, that will control what is built, how it is built etc. This definantly would be a big effort for clubs but im sure that there are hundreds of club members that would be willing to give up a weekend or two every 6-8 months for a working bee to maintain trails. This inturn should allow the trails to reamain.

I do like the idea of clubs putting in $$$ for these tracks.But we cannot expect the clubs to pay soley for projects like this. Perhaps donations from members (rather than increasing license costs or race entry).

I realise that there are certain minorities that do feel it necissary do destroy things or litter etc. But perhaps the introduction of members only access is needed.And groups of locals to help keep a constant maintainance on things like fallen logs, rocks etc.

If i get sufficient possitive feedback from farkin-ers i'll start writing up a petition to begin circulaton.

[Phalophalot]

I'd be happy to sign a pettition if whipped up by yourself, but can't you remember the huge rallies the 4x4 clubs, horse ridding community, moto bike & gun clubs, had a few years ago about trail access. There were thousands of them all over the state & banked up on parliment house steps & they got no where.
I suggest you contact your local 4x4 club to discuss who was involved & what can be done.

[Dozer]

The government wouldn't really care because they don't make a lot of money out of mountain bikers. Instead of sending a petition, maybe you could send them links to websites that portray MTB as a growing sport that keeps young (and older) people healthy, active and fit. It gets people out of the house, in the grat outdoors, learning about nature, social skills, caring for expensive gear etc etc. Petitions don't have much of a bang anymore (did they ever :confused: ) so that would be a waste of time. Show them results of world cup winning Aussies who love riding their bikes in our wonderful country.

[dain2772]

I thought downhillers liked lots of travel?

[Dozer]

I thought downhillers liked lots of travel?

Suspension travel or driving in a car travel? Ummm...wrong thread maybe dude?:confused:

[demo man]

like sammydog said, a nation-wide petition, while exciting, will do absolutely nothing.

if you want to get involved in trail advocacy, tak to your local club.

trails access is not gained by petitions. i have never heard of any trail being constructed through a petition (have you?)

the idea of a petition is on the right track though, you need to show the local govt. that there is a need for mountain bike trails, and that is shown through all of the illegal construction of trails. if it is repetitive, then obviously this is a problem that the govt. need to find a solution to.

you need to hit the angle that you are trying to help them solve the problem, and that your method is the best one. obviously your method is to build trails that will not be erosion traps or liability cause-ways. Use loads of IMBA information, make sure they are aware of MTBA, and talk about large events, as that brings in tourism and $$.

have a look at the trails section on the CORC website, there is a section called "Papers and Proposals" that you will find very useful.

the fact is, while your enthusiasm is great to see, it somewhat miss-guided.


oh, and as Sammydog said, insurance is a very SMALL part of the problem. make sure you find out what your local govt. sees as the problems BEFORE you talk to them formally, so you can figure out your answer properly.



this sort of stuff needs to be done in small areas, it cannot be done nationally - that is the way our system works.

[THE YETI]

The problem is for me that the only issues my local council has is that they are fat over-payed nobs, that wouldnt know an MTB if I stalled on their forehead.

And the only place round here to ride is either street, or a severely guarded national park (never been there miself). I realise that "demo man" has the right idea, but im just trying to show the politicians (even if its only NSW) that we are here and that we have the shits with trail accessability. But perhaps it'd be more wise to start small and work up to the bigger picture.

Still, positive and negative thoughts still wanted.

[sammydog]

Getting trail access is never going to be quick and easy, but I would definitely say start small. Get all your local riders to start lobying your Council. I work in Council, and I don't know of any Councillors who would be too well versed with Mtb and its needs, this is where you need to educate the Council.

Start by writing letters, turn up in person and book an appointment with staff and/or the mayor.

Get the riders in your area organised behind you and just be prepared for things to take time.

[THE YETI]

I am looking for people in the upper hunter NSW to help push a potential track to the Singleton Council. Im willing to do the hard yards, and set up talkin to council etc. Im just after some numbers that i can put forward as potential track users.
If you are one of these people or know sumone that would be interested,can you please either pm me with your name and location, or just post reply with the same.
Ill be heading out next week to have a look if its feasable.

[joel65]

Joel Kelly
Singleton/HunterValley
Sounds like a great idea, im sick of travelling hours just to ride a 3minute downhill track, and everytime we actually make somthing that is worth hitting they bulldose it, or decide to develop the area into a new housing estate:mad: . They won't even fix up our BMX track just so we can have somthing good to ride near-by. If we had a decent track we might be able to actually have fun. 100% behind you, anyone in the area support the petition!:D

[bolzy]

wollongong riders...no where to ride now, tracks are now closed

[THE YETI]

Well anyone from wolongong that would possibly travel to Singleton or surrounding areas to ride a racer built track. Please post name here, as im trying to get this petition started and get names into council. I do intend to keep the track in mint condition and take advice on what can be improved.

The track hasnt been proposed to council yet but im confident that if i put pressure on them that it will be allowed. So please anyone that MAY ride the trails built, please put name and town in post.

[cooper_sgs]

after my local was destroyed consider me signed up!!

lets all do sumthing about the lack of land space and riding area's

[sammydog]

Yeti,

You coming to the club race on sunday?? Come have a chat and I will give you a hand on dealing with Council.