Ride only authorised trails - Ignorance is no excuse

The first of IMBA's rules of the trail is this:

1. Ride Open Trails: Respect trail and road closures - ask a land manager for clarification if you are uncertain about the status of a trail. Do not trespass on private land. Obtain permits or other authorization as required. Be aware that bicycles are not permitted in areas protected as state or federal Wilderness.

Given there was quiet the discussion about illegal tracks recently, and given I had a rather heated argument with a fellow rider about this yesterday it seems as appropriate a time as any to make this point:

If you ride on trails that are not authorised you are not only breaking the law and risking a fine, but damaging the image of mountain biking in general and undermining good trail advocacy progress that is being made. There is more on that topic in the Unauthorised trail construction can only end badly thread.

I know plenty of people are sick of hearing this, and believe me, I'm sick of saying it.

So please take note and also realise that ignorance is no excuse! This goes whether you just moved to the area or have been living here for years (although in the later case your grounds for using ignorance would just make you look rather silly):

• If you are riding single track in the Northern Beaches area that is not listed on this site, chances are you are doing so illegally. Not that we are an authoritative source, but land managers monitor this site and over the years we have made changes they request. Hence why I think this statement is correct. BTW, if you think there is legal single track not listed here, feel free to add those details so we can all enjoy it.
• We do have some unauthorised trails listed her for historic reasons, but where this is the case it is noted. There are other trails that have appeared since then which we do not list.
• There are no authorised single tracks in the National Parks in our area. If you enter or leave a National Park via single track, or ride single track within a park you are probably breaking the law.
• If you are riding on a firetrail in a National Park and come across a side trail, and you decide to go and explore it, you will likely be breaking the law in doing so.
• If you find a trail that you think is legal but are not sure then leave it for later. Go and do some research (call the land manager or ask on this forum) and only return when you have verified with an official source it is appropriate for you to ride.

Please show some respect and patience on this issue. There are numerous legal riding opportunities in our area. Admittedly they are not as exciting as they could be, but many people are working on that - give their work a chance! Please visit Ourimbah, Awaba, Yellomundee, etc. for your fix of sweet sniggle.

Thank you