Manly Vale bike path freedom in doubt

On the topic of understanding, could you please show us a quote where I have claimed to represent anyone other than myself?

I personally haven't had any trails legalised, and neither have you I can guess. We both might have been part of various efforts, but one individual can't really do much in this field. This isn't for lack of trying, on my part and the part of many others, how about you?

I try my best to work for all disciplines, as do most of the other advocates I know, this includes dirt jumps. Do you understand that advocacy work or negativity for one discipline affects the rest? Whenever any rider, of any discipline builds something without authorisation, then all riders, from all disciplines are tarred with the same brush in the press, by the public and by land managers. This isn't fair, but neither is life - that's just the way it is.

The recent NPWS announcement about opening up a track on their land is good news for all riders. You might think this is nothing to do with them because you haven't built any illegal trails on NPWS land, but that's where you are wrong. Local councils and other authorities look to NPWS to show best practices when it comes to sustainable, environmentally friendly activities they allow. If NPWS can be convinced sustainable and safe trails can be good for everyone then these other land managers, if not following the line directly, would be much easier to convince.

While I don't agree 100% with Rob - for where we are at right now, to some extent unauthorised trails provide the best possible evidence of demand for new facilities - I think the comments about middle-aged XC riders were less helpful than they could be.

This particular middle-aged XC rider - along with a bunch of others (which includes Rob) - have formed a group and are trying to help you get what you want by lending their expertise and networks.

Advocacy is a team effort. Rob has played a significant part in the progress we have made over the last couple of years through challenging attitudes among land managers. The Grove is a direct recipient of the improvement in climate towards mtb generally that group has played a part in bringing about.

And then there is this site of Rob's and its focus on advocacy issues. Without it, lots of riders would still have their heads in the sand kidding themselves their trails are still secret, and land managers would still be thinking we're a bunch of pimply teenagers with no sense of risk assessment who need protecting from breaking their necks and knocking over old ladies walking their dogs, instead of knowing it for the mainstream sport it really is.

So I think some credit is due to Rob. Let's work together on this, eh?

See http://nobmob.com/node/30364 If there's anything else at all we can do to help let us know.

You speaka my language!!!

You might be surprised to know that many of the consultants whom have given up paid time from work and many weekends and weeknights over the last few years to put time into NPWS are not XC riders.

Many of us ride DH and FR, I'm personally getting back into riding at Oxy after a few niggly injuries the last 24 months. I am also over being rightly hassled by mates for spending many more hours a week doing advocacy work instead of riding.

I have spent many hours talking to green groups, government policy guys and NPWS explaining all disciplines and pointing out that to solve unofficial trail construction all disciplines must be catered for. I've also explained that many individual people ride multiple styles and that you can't solve issues with DH tracks and DJ by replacing them with XC tracks etc.

This is why the NPWS Discussion Paper (published by OEH, formerly DECCW), which we made many submissions of information to during its development, discusses all current styles, indicates that solutions will require multiple land types and managers and also defines what sort of riding may be accommodated where.

The appearance of official DJ, flow tracks, skills areas and Warringah Councils recent rider survey and also interest in the Freedom Jumps are not in isolation to our work. NPWS are spending a lot of time meeting with Councils and various land managers to put together a regional strategy on how we can all be catered for.

We have been critisised by green groups for taking up the Office of Environment and Heritage's (now OEH but formerly DECCW, whom NPWS is part of) time on this (green groups have thought we should have lobbied Sport and Rec). However the reason for this is that many land managers have responsibility to manage their land to best environmental practice and are answerable to OEH which is written into their license conditions. So a key step to getting many other land managers to consider allowing riders on their land is for OEH and NPWS to show them that this fits with good environmental management and to provide guidance.

This is why the win we have had with the announcement for Bantry Bay, while great for XC and AM isn't a selfish thing, it is really symbolic of the paperwork, leadership and background coordination behind the scenes that will and already is paving the way for all other disciplines.

Duncan, I sent you a PM with my mobile if you want to talk about this. I have also been swapping email with some of the guys at Freedom Jumps and also Council the last week or two to see if I can help. Given that there is a need for these jumps to be provided by Council and the works already been done I hope things can be resolved.

I think we would all agree that without unofficial trails there would only be Manly Dam and firetrail in the Beaches.

The unofficial trail construction and lack of management has been a key driver in getting to where we are now in the bureaucratic process. This does move slowly, we are not talking about simple planning approval but also policy updates and big shifts in attitudes. Those among us that work on government projects always thought this would take 3-5 years.

The skill and effort by some trail builders has also been noted by many authorities and many are keen to see this work put into approved areas.

BTW, I should add, please don't be confused as to what is trail advocacy and what is trail construction.

Picking up your shovel and digging a trail is great where you have the land manager's permission. I've done just this, with permission even! Doing so without permission though is most likely illegal and certainly doesn't constitute advocacy. In fact many would argue this sort of activity is damaging to the advocacy efforts they are putting in.

All I was trying to say in the initial post is that I thought we were finally making headway and getting away from the build it, get it pulled up cycle that seems to have been going on for years.

As I have said, and people like Simon backed up, most advocates truly want to see a good result for all riders. I'm sorry if there are people out there who think the current focus is too XC, but if you feel this way there is nothing stopping you campaigning for the things that you think others aren't giving enough attention to.

Just please campaign first and get permission before you go stomping off into the next patch of woods with your shovel is all.