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Manly Daily: Way clear for bikers at Manly Dam … at walkers’ expense

By hawkeye - Posted on 25 February 2010

Reporting in today's Manly Daily:

http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/...

Hopefully this might help reduce the damage the Council decision could do future trail advocacy efforts.

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Tentative Planning (MTB)

Priority to bikes

Submitted by jeremya on Thu, 25/02/2010 - 12:18.

In New Zealand I recollect on trails which were primarily bike trails they sign them as "walkers give way to bikes". This seems a reasonable way to go, rather than banning them altogether .

Double Standards?

Submitted by cambowambo on Thu, 25/02/2010 - 13:10.

Some of the on-line comments to this article from mountain bikers suggest that walkers should continue to walk on these tracks despite being banned by Warringah Council, and contrary to the posted signs.

When a mountain biker in last week's Manly Daily said he intended to keep riding on the banned sections he was vilified on this site.

I guess some of us are more equal than others.

Not sure that is the message

Submitted by daveh on Thu, 25/02/2010 - 14:25.

I don't think people are saying that it is ok for some to flout the rules and not for others. The message was that flouting the rules made by those who you are trying to convince to see things your way is not the smartest strategy. It is also that mtbers were always happy sharing the trails with walkers and that if anyone comes across a walker on the trail now then there is no reason why that is not still the case.

Manly Daily: Walkers are furious with Council decision

Submitted by philberesford on Fri, 26/02/2010 - 06:41.

FYI

Bushwalkers furious over Warringah Council’s dam ban
NEWSCOUNCIL
25 FEB 10 @ 03:44PM BY BRENTON CHERRY

Walkers now denied entry to track due to lawsuit fears.

BUSHWALKERS have expressed their anger and frustration at Warringah Council’s backflip on mountain biking at Manly Dam, which now sees them restricted from the single track sections.

The walkers claim their friendly, incident-free relationship with the riders has been ignored by the council in making the decision.

On Tuesday night, Warringah Council gave in to severe public pressure and voted to reinstate riders on to the single track sections, while banning walkers from them.

Steve Jago, from Davidson, is a member of GOJOG, a northern beaches group that regularly walk or run the tracks at Manly Dam, including the now restricted sections.
``We’ve never had a problem with each other (mountain bike riders) and treat each other with the utmost courtesy and respect,’’ he said.

``I do understand there are enormous litigation issues these days but I wonder the practicalities of all of that and no one has gone that route at Manly Dam, so I don’t see why it is now a problem.’’
Mr Jago said some wonderful parts of the Manly Dam circuit were now out of bounds for bush walkers.

``It is absolutely delightful with gorgeous waterfalls and places where you are in the middle of Sydney but could be in the middle of nowhere.’’

Another member of GOJOG, Shirley Redhead from Newport, said the council decision was an overreaction.

``For 35 years we have enjoyed the tracks around Manly Dam and in latter years shared them with mountain bike riders,’’ she said.

``Surely one trial walk by council cannot compare with years of incident free ventures using all the tracks within the area.

``All that would be needed is a sign absolving council from liability.’’

http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/...

I applaud the Manly Daily.

Submitted by ido09s on Fri, 26/02/2010 - 06:47.

I applaud the Manly Daily. Its the only paper where i constantly see the truth being written.

Its good to see the walkers standing by us as well and making a point of the hassle free relationship we have always had at the Dam, i just hope it doesnt begin to show cracks

Is the woman in the photo a bush walker?!?!?!?

Submitted by fer on Fri, 26/02/2010 - 09:37.

In the Manly Daily article... She looks more like living acrros the street and is taking her dog to sh...t the trail... At least the dog is still on leash for the photo.

bush walker

Submitted by Lach on Fri, 26/02/2010 - 10:00.

You don't need a backpack and gaiters to walk in the bush (though shoes aren't a bad idea....)

The point the photo makes is that its not just "hikers" who are affected by the new ban, its all the locals who use the tracks to stretch their (and their dogs') legs. Presumably most of them are used to the mtb presence and don't get too surprised / upset by a passing bike or 5.

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Manly Daily: Way clear for bikers at Manly Dam … at walkers’ expense

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