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Seems to me that we need to get the law and PoM amended
NPWS are only able to control mountain bike access to trails and speeds within national parks because they fall into the definition of a "vehicle" under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 i.e. vehicle includes:
(a) a boat or other object that, while floating on water or submerged, whether wholly or partly, under water, is wholly or partly used for the conveyance of persons or things,
(b) an apparatus that, while propelled, or directed or controlled, in the air by human or mechanical power or by the wind, is wholly or partly used for the conveyance of persons or things,
(c) a motor vehicle,
(d) an apparatus propelled, or directed or controlled, upon land, snow or ice by human or animal power or by the wind, and
(e) a trailer or caravan, whether or not it is in the course of being towed
Clearly boats, cars, caravans and aircraft shouldn't be allowed on singletrack.
Also checked out the Garigal Plan of Management
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/park...
It is so out of date as it was finalised in 1998 based on national park visitor data and studies about recreation habits that are nearly 20 years old. I doubt if anyone knew what a mountain bike was back then. We need to get this updated.
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As I wrote here http://nobmob.com/node/5087#comment-15890
"Exactly. and working together to get the policy changed in the first instance is where the effort needs to be directed. Not at throwing tantrums and threatening to sue people.
Write letters people. Word is NPWS may be doing an internal review of it's cycling policy. As it is an internal review we have no official input but can certainly write in to head office and make our opinions noticed.
Keep it civil. Include workable solutions and compromises.
There are a bunch of sample submissions here http://wiki.nswmtb.asn.au/index.php?title=Sample... to use as a guideline if you want ideas. If we get as many letters sent as as we've had angry posts it may just make a real difference."
This issue is getting a little scattered with 3 or 4 different treads. Rob any chance of pulling the relevant stuff into a single thread?
Thanks Craig, I will use those.
This is good stuff. Yeah, I agree about the disjointed threads, but there were so many comments the good stuff like this needed pulling out.
We all know everyone is very upset about what's happened so can we ask that you please keep comments to a minimum and only add something with new and important info. I mean, things like, "Yeah, I agree" and "No, that sucks" don't really add much and are pretty much taken as given in response to trail closures of any kind.
Cheers!
While not directly related to the issue of trail closure, in terms of the direction of public policy and future demand for trail access, the following might be a useful citation in discussions with NPWS:
From bicycles.net.au:
"The Australian is reporting (May 14, 2008) that Super Cheap Auto Group has purchased Victoria's Goldcross Cycles chain in a $15 million deal with the intention of building a category killer along the lines of its BCF group.
According to the Fiona Cameron, the "bicycle and accessories market has grown rapidly since 2003 and is now worth more than $1 billion annually."
Super Cheap managing director Peter Birtles stated that "public policy, environmental concerns and demographic changes would continue to drive growth" which is an interesting comment in the context of Super Cheap's focus on cars."
Full article here: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,251...
Flight Centre Limited (FLT) has in the last couple of weeks made a similar strategic investment.
Interesting developments coming in the Australian cycling market I think.
... bought a Bike shop with a few branches in Brisbane,
and I think they even working on their own brand!!
Caroline, your mate works in one of them!!!
Bernd