Hornsby Shire Mountain Bike Alliance

HSMBA members Campbell and Evan Mudge have met with STEP (March 2010) committee members to talk about mountain biking. It was a constructive meeting but highlighted that there is a lot of work to do. STEP also provided us with an article written by Jane Judd - the Chairperson for the NPWS Advisory Committee. This article again showed a lack of understanding about mtbing. Jane talks about there being three types of mtbers. Families that ride together, people that ride on firetrails and then extreme downhillers. As you would be aware this fails to recognise the largest user group being recreational single track users. Jane states that this is only her personal opinion but the problem is that it (and the Frances Scarano paper) are being put forward as the facts from which management decisions need to be made. HSMBA is trying to address this by providing our version of the facts, demographics, riding disciplines, environmental facts, IMBA techniques, etc. It is truly frustrating to see conservationist groups acting in ways to really hinder any progress. The sad thing is that unless we progress, the environmental damage that is occurring due to illegal trail construction in the national parks, blue gum high forest will continue to occur unless suitable alternatives are built. Also, the broader issue of health - we are now the fattest nation in the world, and also the fact that keeping people out of the bushland stops them appreciating and valuing it. If kids lose connection with the bushland, then how can we expect them to become future protectors of it? In other countries (and even parts of Australia) mountain bikers and mountain bike trails in sensitive areas have actually been used to help preserve and protect these areas. I had discussions with people from Wales and they find it hard to understand that there is such a division between mtbers and conservationists. In Wales they work together, infact in some cases there is no division and mtb trails are built in such a way to protect the sensitive Welsh soil and riders value and work to protect the environment. Its pretty basic stuff - protect it and they have a future, don't protect it and it and the trails will be lost.