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Blue MT Council Draft Bike Plan
I thought a few of you might be interested in this.
I haven't had a chance to read it just yet so I have no idea if it is positive towards MTB or not
http://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/home/publicexhibition...
The blurb
DRAFT BLUE MOUNTIANS BIKE PLAN 2020
The Draft Blue Mountains Bike Plan 2020 revises the 'Blue Mountains Bikeways Plan 1996'. It will guide the City in the development of new programs and facilities to encourage people to cycle, and to reduce their dependence on the car. It is a strategy based on extensive community consultation and is designed to be flexible, evolving over its lifetime.
The Bike Plan has been prepared in response to the community-endorsed 25-year vision for the Blue Mountains 'A Map for Action 2000-2025; Towards a More Sustainable Blue Mountains'. The vision expresses outcomes sought by the community.
Exhibition dates: 19 May 2008 until 14 July 2008
Location: The draft Strategy is available for viewing at Council's Katoomba and Springwood offices, and at Blackheath, Katoomba, Wentworth Falls, Lawson, Springwood and Blaxland Libraries. Alternatively, download the exhibition material, at right.
Your comments are invited. Submissions must be received by 5:00pm 14 July 2008. To assist in making your submission, a Submission Form can be downloaded, at right. Please send your written submission to:
Mr Glenn Sherlock
Strategic Planning Specialist - Transport
Draft Blue Mountains Bike Plan 2020
Reference: File No. F03719
Blue Mountains City Council
Locked Bag 1005
KATOOMBA NSW 2780
Submission will also be accepted by email to [email protected].
For further information contact Glenn Sherlock on (02) 4780 5692 or (0414) 195 692
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I shot them off a submission last night/early this morning. I expressed some views on what makes for usable bike paths (eg, wide enough to avoid the door zone, easy gradients, ones that go somewhere useful, etc etc), since that seemed to be the main focus of their plan.
I then moved onto develop some points about the benefits to the community of leveraging and developing their existing popularity amongst us mountain bikers.
Key points I hit were:
) in consultation with local riders/groups.
Mountain bikers will travel significant distances to ride high quality trails.
Understand the benefits the popularity of mountain biking tourism can bring to the local economy.
Build sustainable, erosion resistant trails, (especially singletrack!
Leverage off local enthusiastic volunteers to facilitate trail building inexpensively (cited Warringah and Wagga as successful examples).
Survey existing trail networks to establish what is currently sustainable, and what must be done to work around unsustainable trail sections
Encouraging mountain biking as a recreational activity helps Council meets its goals for encouraging healthy active lifestyles.
Point them to the precedent within NSW STATE FORESTS....
http://www.forest.nsw.gov.au/currentaffairs/rele...
World-renown mountain bike trail specialist shares his knowledge
21 October 2003
World-renown USA mountain bike trail specialist, Mr Joey Klein, joined local mountain bikers and land managers at Laurel Hill Forest Lodge, Bago State Forest, last week to share his knowledge and experience on mountain bike management, trail building and conflict resolution.
Mr Klein specialises in creating trails that are environmentally sustainable, cost-effective, safe and fun to ride and walk.
He has assessed, designed, constructed and maintained trails in 35 countries including USA, Canada, Netherlands, Italy, Wales, Scotland and England and has instructed trail professionals and volunteer leaders in sustainable trail construction at more than 50 trail building workshops across the world.
He is presently involved in course design work for the Athens Olympics.
Mr Klein said mountain bike trails could make a huge difference to economies.
“Take Wales, I have worked there, and they have lifted their economies through trails to the tune of US$25 million a year.
“Through mountain bike trails you can help combat obesity, create jobs in small communities and help educate people about a working forest.
“I’ve seen small towns boom economically while still keeping their quality of life,” he said.
The five-day workshop at Laurel Hill Forest Lodge, near Tumbarumba, was organised by the Mountain Bike Association (MTBA) and attracted 30 participants from across Australia and New Zealand, including two from State Forests of NSW.
Mr Klein is touring Australia on behalf of the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA), an organisation that encourages low-impact riding, volunteer trail work participation, cooperation among different trail user groups and innovative trail management solutions.
Workshop organiser and president of MTBA, Mr Tony Scott, said he had chosen Laurel Hill because of its excellent accommodation facilities and its proximity to some wonderful trail and road systems through the forests.
“There is huge potential here for cutting edge trail systems for mountain bike riding and as a result recreational tourism,” he said.
Mr Scott said small towns such as Tumbarumba, Batlow and Tumut could benefit hugely from mountain bike riding as was true of other small towns close to forests.
“The sport is booming and it leads to tourism and more enjoyment of the great outdoors.
“We are working here not so much on the competition side of things that normally gets the media’s attention, but more on building up the local infrastructure for trails through the community and local agencies such as State Forests, local councils and groups, accommodation houses and so forth.
“We have been developing a relationship with State Forests for the past year and this workshop will help cement that process.
“It has certainly helped land managers understand what mountain biking is all about and what it can bring to the table in terms of long-term sustainable recreational bike access to our wonderful scenic forests,” he said.
State Forests regional forester, Mr Duncan Watt, who participated in the workshop, said it was an opportunity to learn about the best trail systems in the world and why they work.
“The field sessions enabled us to explore trail building techniques first-hand, through sample trail design and construction exercises.
“It also put us in touch with representatives from mountain bike clubs and will help us work together to develop future codes of practice for designing appropriate and sustainable trails,” he said.
Further information
For further information contact Hilary Smith on (02) 4472 6211.
Photos available by contacting Sarah Chester on (02) 6036 2110.
http://www.forest.nsw.gov.au/currentaffairs/rele...
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Happiness is a warm shock.
I haven't had the time I'd like to go into this more but a copy of my submission can be found
http://wiki.nswmtb.asn.au/index.php?title=Main_Page