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NPWS mountain bike survey- GPS tracking study


MarkkyMarkk's picture

By MarkkyMarkk - Posted on 29 July 2013

I received this eMail last week from NPWS & have their permission to forward the contact details.
I'm not sure how it ties in to the proposed trails at Bantry Bay, but I guess the more people that reply, the better. You can use whichever GPS tracking software you like - as long as you are able to eMail GPX files.
Also, the 4 week period for tracking is up to yourself to chosse. Get Involved!
The area of interest covers the greater Northern Sydney area:
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=20109652382...

As a valued participant in our online visitor activity survey, NSW National Parks invites you now to take part in further innovative research on your mountain bike experiences.

You can WIN one of several GREAT PRICES: 1 x A$500, 1 x A$200 and 3 x A$100 shopping vouchers.

In this part of the project we would like to collect GPS tracking data of your mountain bike rides in the Northern Sydney Area. Over a period of 4 weeks we will collect GPS records of your rides. You will track yourself using a smart phone tracking application or you may use your personal tracking device (GPS sports watch, etc.). We will provide you with very simple instructions on what to do.

All track information will be held in strict confidence. We are interested in your mountain bike experiences and the best locations for them. So this is NOT about discussing unauthorised track usage.

To express your interest, please send us a short reply to this e-mail.

We will then help you get started by providing more details on how to collect and provide your tracks.

Many thanks!

Best regards,
Teresa Wohlfart

____________________
Research Assistant
c/o Dr. Isabelle Wolf, Research and Analysis Officer
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Tourism and Partnerships Branch
E: [email protected]

amarkie's picture

My Question is if we submit trail data from unauthorised trails, will this work against us (maybe not personally but for the greater good)? Thoughts?

pancakes's picture

I can see the speed logged being an issue. It would be good if you could convert the file to be just a track and elevation log. I have seen some chaps go rather spiritedly down the Cascades, for example. Not me of course, I only ride for the love of climbing. O:)

nrthrnben's picture

about all the unofficial trails..the more you ride them for the trial the better.

Also going very fast on firetrails only helps the cause for official single trail.

I would like to know why everyone wasnt sent this?

danielschipper's picture

Keen to be involved but I also hold a KOM or 2 at Cascades (apparently hit 70K down Acron) and while I avoided the Kangaroo at Bantry Bay didn't realise there was a jelly fish.... that the bloody walkers also trample... hey Rosemary!!!

So I'm keen to log GPS data but I either need to be a good boy for a month or need to avoid my favourite trails...

How sure are those posting that "they know about the bad stuff", that this data won't be used to close trails, shot down new opportunities?

nrthrnben's picture

They would not get data showing extensive use..just remember most walking trails start as unofficial paths too..they know where all the good tracks are bahai, bunnings, 66 etc etc etc etc they where all on the survey they did recently asking how often we ride them and what improvements they need

hawkeye's picture

NPWS has been using it to identify trails that were previously thought to be secret. I am pretty sure that as a result of this recent advance they know where the trails are.

Some new-fangled thing called a helicopter. Apparently it can take off verticaly and hover like a dragonfly. I don't believe it myself. Next thing someone will claim they can fly planes by remote control.

MarkkyMarkk's picture

If you're not comfortable sending NPWS some of your logs - its entirely up to you what to send & not to.
However, if you get in contact with Teresa, she will send you a PDF of instructions, within which it says

Riding on unauthorised tracks: We are aware that during the tracking period you may want to use unauthorised tracks for specific mountain bike experiences or as linkage tracks that enable looping. In fact, it is very important for this study that you choose your rides as you usually would. This is the only way to better understand what experiences you enjoy.

We can assure you that there will not be any legal repercussions regarding any tracks that you will send to us from rides on unauthorised trails. Your data will be held in strict confidence and results will be presented in an aggregated form only, so the information cannot be traced back to individual users. The focus of our research is on people's track preferences and mountain biking experiences, as well as the innovative methods to collect these data. We will NOT discuss unauthorised track usage in this research.

Please note though that our authority does not extend to the field. So whatever the risks or possible repercussions are that you might be facing while riding on unauthorised tracks remains as usual.

ChopStiR's picture

I received the email also. As an out of towner, If I were to do a few visits in the next month, where would you recommend I ride that would be most beneficial to the cause.

nrthrnben's picture

Bahai, 66, bunnings, bmx downhill and any other single trail mtb tracks in NPs on the Northern Beaches

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