Oxford Falls XC loop in Garigal National Park

We came across a sign this morning at Red Hill saying that it was crown land and no riding, was not long before we came across an irate walker as well. The sign is on the fire trail where you enter to go into the jump park.

Benny

There used to be less durable signs there before, erected by the council, alleging that entry was prohibited due to an endangered species on the land. These signs were vandalised and removed.

I've seen the sign you refer to, but I did not scrutinise it. I imagine that it was only intended to apply to the jumps, not the fire trail. The department of lands is, apparently, negotiating with the the jump builders.

However, I will assume that it was intended to apply to the fire trail. I will further assume that the sign said something to the effect of 'no bike riding' rather than 'no entry'.

If the sign isn't clearly displayed and visible from when you ride along the fire trail, you won't be doing anything illegal by riding on the fire trail. From memory, it was NOT conspicuously displayed, and was visible only if you wanted to enter the jump area.

Its illegal to do various things on 'public easements' on crown land. One of these is the riding of trail bikes or other mechanically powered vehicles. (Crown Lands Act 1989 No 6).

The lands people are also empowered through the Crown Lands Act 1989 No 6 to erect signs which prohibit certain prescribed activities. It's an offence to continue with the activity if the notice is conspicuously displayed on or near public land. The prescribed activities can be found in the Crown Lands Regulation 2006. One of these is the driving of vehicles or riding of horses.
IE, the lands people can erect a sign saying 'no vehicles' and you have to comply.
An example of this is at the start of the cascades track from St Ives.

However, whether they are authorised to prohibit bike riding by means of a sign comes down to the question of whether a bike is a vehicle for the meaning of that section in the regulation. Unhelpfully, there is no definitions section. I would submit that a bike is NOT a vehicle - after all, the no vehicles sign erected at the cascades is enforceable through that sign could not possibly mean 'no bikes'.

However, there is a strong counterargument - that the meaning of 'vehicle' in the regulation is broader than the meaning of 'vehicle' on the sign. The regulation gives a power, and would probably be construed broadly, simply because it makes sense that under certain circumstances, a restriction of pedal-powered activity would be warranted. Eg. a playground on public land.

Thus, I think that the fact that
- The sign is probably intended to apply only to the jump area, and thus is unlikely to be enforced in respect of the fire trail or other trails nearby
- Even if it were enforced, it would be difficult for the lands people to prove in court that the sign was conspicuously displayed
- The penalty infringement notice is only 220 dollars

Means that you can ride there guilt free.

Of course, you do so at your own risk

Evan you can access the Institute of Sport end of Red Hill via Cromer Rd near Woodward St, or the middle of Red Hill near the Maybrook Retirement Village in Maybrook Rd or via Wakehurst Parkway up near the Oxford Falls turn off.

I think Christine would have some access points neat her place as well.

Cromer Rd would be the best of them I know

I was out there Sunday morning and didn't see any obvious no MTB signage... I did notice a new(ish - haven't been out there for a few months) sign informing me that it was a national park and complete with a no motorcycles sticker but it was all the way down near the bottom of the powerlines track - I remember thinking it was a fair way into the place before finding out whether you could ride.

Then we ran into motorcycles making their way up the downhill track. Bloody annoying but impressive to watch all the same!

I've been riding Oxford Falls on and off longer than most, and I frequently hammer my brain cells which they say affects your memory, but the only walkers I can remember seeing are usually dragging incapacitated bikes behind them.

Has anybody ever seen people walking the XC course?

We came across a particularly miserable group of walkers maybe a month ago on a (Shut Up and...) Ride, must've been in either Red Hill or Oxford Falls.

We got the feeling we weren't going to get a fair hearing when one started a good old unprovoked whinge about MTB's breaking up the sandstone. So we just smiled and rode on despite temptation to argue till blue in the face, happy in the knowledge that we were much happier than they, though it still puts a downer on your ride.

I would encourage all of us to be responsible and friendly in the places and ways we ride, these walkers seem to have far too much time on their hands and are only too happy to kick up a fuss about us rather than protest against something actually important like say a Pulp Mill...

I'd also encourage getting involved with Terracare and MWMTB as they're bound to be first port of call for action/response and hopefully are on the front foot.

Also, seeking the collective wisdom, while I'd like to argue that MTB's aren't that bad in comparison to walkers and Horses, I'm not sure I'd be on solid ground there. Has anyone seen any reputable authoritative studies (whatever the results...) that would at least tell us where we stand?

Ta,
Matt.

we gotta get one of these installed, that would help!
http://www.raysmtb.com/
specifically check out this:
http://www.raysmtb.com/video.html
im soo jealous!

ill let you know when i can hold a shovel again and i get rid of the training wheels!

in England they also did a survery of the bridle paths and the impact between horses and walkers - the results were that the walkers had more impact because the were more inclined to leave the trails to explore or look at a view they thought may be 'over there' - they also picked more flowers than the riders...
but in reality everyone should get on with everyone else because we are all outdoors being active andenjoying ourselves - well, supposed to be!!!

I rode at Oxford falls for the first time a few weeks ago. I didn't see any "no bikes" signs. Some motor bikes passed us a little Moab. Some way along the xc track a group of walkers where blocking the track. they wouldn't let us through. We explained that there are no signs, but the wouldn't budge... we turned back. Later an Irish man rode by. 5 minutes later he also was turned back. As he shot passed he said one word... f%$*rs.

I am concerned by the condition of the track. I'm pretty sure it the motor bike that are mostly to blame, but unmaintained mtb track do suffer from erosion too. The best option would be to get the local club involved and legalise and maintain the track. Some land is private I believe so I don't know how viable this is. Anyway, its a great ride and it will be shame to lose access.