photo: ANNIKA ENDERBORG, Manly Daily.
Here’s an example of what not to do if you want increased mountain bike trail access: get quoted in the local paper saying you’ll continue to ride trails closed to bikes. As if that’s not enough, get a photo of yourself inserted in the article so officials can ID you on the trail. That’s just what Australian Aaron Dunford has done and we’re anxious to see the results.
I suppose things are a bit different down under but here in the US, Dunford would probably be attacked by hikers first then cited for trespassing by local law enforcement. IMBA would issue a press release saying Dunford doesn’t represent mountain bikers everywhere (if they haven’t already) while going into major damage control mode. And this guy appears to work for a bike company!
We’re all for trail advocacy and standing up for our rights as mountain bikers but honestly there are a million better ways to do so. Gandhi demonstrated the power of the “sit -in” so why not organize mountain bikers to suit up and take a seat on the trail one weekend? Demonstrating the number of mountain bikers who want trail access while playing by the rules works more often than you might think…
8 Comments
Feb 19, 2010
Aussies (which I'm genetically coded to dislike being a Kiwi) are pretty quiet and low key until something like this occurs. Talk about a nation of outdoors lovers whom believe that it's all of ours to enjoy. Too bad they can't use the same tact for the stolen generation.
Feb 18, 2010
Feb 22, 2010
Feb 18, 2010
Mar 7, 2010
Before having a go, posters should familiarise themselves with the local situation.
I've been working hard on advocacy in that region (the Northern Beaches) for over 2 years and in that time have become incredibly frustrated with how things work (or don't!). Is it any wonder that some people cannot contain that feeling and go out to make a point.
For the record, this trail was re-opened to riders on Feb 26 (decision made Feb 23) after incredibly public pressure. If this rider's actions helped bring the issue to light then, although maybe ill-advised they helped get the job done.
There was much discussion on the NoBMoB website about this, see:
http://nobmob.com/node/13024
Feb 19, 2010
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/council-backpedals-on-bush-ban/
Not only that, the mayor is pushing to ban hikers and make the trails "bike only." But wait, it gets even crazier. Local bikers are actually upset about the news because they feel like it's hypocritical to make a trail single use, even if it is open to bikes. Crazy Aussies!
Edit: I should note it appears it was the deluge of emails and letters the city council received that provoked the abrupt change of policy and NOT the guy who decided to ignore the ban.
Feb 18, 2010
I really like the sit-in idea by the way.
Feb 23, 2010
so the uproar is fairly justified considering its the only riding location within an hour of most people in sydney, the roar just needs to be channeled properly :P