[bikeqld] FW: MTB-OZ-serious: Please complete BCC MTB survey

[Andrew Rasmussen]

Hi all,

For your consideration. Apologies to those already on the MTB-OZ list.

Regards,

Andrew Rasmussen

-----Original Message-----
Hi everyone,

The Brisbane City Council is finally taking an interest in
mountainbiking and have set up an online survey to estimate potential
use as well as ask what we're looking for. If as many people as
possible who have any interest in mountainbiking in Brisbane at all
could fill this out it can only help.

Cheers,

Phil

2009 BCC SURVEY ON OUTDOOR RECREATION, PARTICULARLY MOUNTAIN BIKING IN
BCC BUSHLAND



http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE:1631453223:pc=PC_2133

www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB228S95ERET2



This survey is a consequence of all the emails and letters MTB riders
have sent to Council.  BCC has listened and now they want to know our
ideas about how to manage their Reserves for outdoor recreation,
particularly mountain biking. Council also is finding out about the
number of visitors using their Reserves.

IMBA has the logo SPEAK BUILD RESPECT RIDE... well now we need to
respond, to SPEAK. Please complete the survey and pass this email on
to others.

Here are some ideas you could include in your survey response.

BCC needs a city-wide policy on MTB access.  Otherwise we have to
fight for each reserve one at a time, taking many years.

The only BCC management plan that specifically mentions managing MTB
is the Mt Coot-tha one. There are a couple of points in this Plan that
could be changed.

1) BCC Local Laws state that you can only ride a bicycle on designated
paths in a park.  This needs to change to trails are open unless
otherwise signed.  Redland City Council has this approach. Wellington
City Council NZ agreed to this policy in 1996.

2) At Mt Coot-tha, fire roads are multiuse. That's fine.  But MTB only
trails are exclusive use, same as walking only trails. This exclusive
approach arose from a misunderstanding that downhill and cross country
MTB trails are managed the same.  Downhill trails are for bikes only
and one-way (down only). However cross country trails can be shared
with walkers.  So the policy needs to be shared use or preferred use,
except where signed.

Lastly, invite decision makers to come and see the trails that radiate
from Gap Creek Reserve, Mt Coot-tha.  Any Saturday or Sunday morning
is the best time to see how popular the place is. They will see that
trail care is producing some MTB specific features on very sustainable
trails.