SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 AT 11 AM
The Archival Memorial Fountain, Hyde Park
MCC of NSW #Saveourtrails Rally
Why we love single track
This is what single track is all about for registered trail bikes and licensed riders. Follow the natural terrain, see amazing places that only a motorcycle can get you to, hang with your mates and get mentally and physically healthier all at the same time. Enjoy!
Parliamentary debate
We have some preliminary information that the Parliamentary debate for our petition is likely to be at 4pm on Thursday 10th November. More information as it comes to hand.
You can view the webcast here: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Pages/webcasts.aspx
We’re published!
Must be something to what we are doing because the Daily Telegraph published my letter to the editor (see below).
So let’s take advantage of it and lend some physical support….
Get your pens out or start typing and write a reply to it. If you can add your support via a follow up post in the Daily Tele we might get some recognition from a journo willing to take on our cause. Write/email your local politician and state your case. Make it clear, concise and logical. Add in how riding is a benefit to your health and well-being and that it’s a great way to get kids off the damned PC and out of the house! You know what to write, just don’t be a knob. We need to show that we are legal, smart, eco-aware and NOT eco terrorists!
Do it! (PS, thanks guys! We definitely ARE in this together!)
Published in Letters to the Editor, Daily Telegraph 20/11/21
How much will be taken?
For more than 40 years the Newnes Plateau has been covered in pine plantations which have been harvested and left to rot just as the hardwood forest has also been logged and left barren to recover by itself (‘$50m plan for new ecotourism adventure park near the Blue Mountains’, Saturday Telegraph, 12/11). It is not the “natural” environment the green movement would lead you to believe.
All during this time it has been a haven for 4x4s and trail bikes using the existing and disused fire trails and for campers as every other forest location has been taken over by city-based green influence. Yes there are some spectacular sites on the edges of the plateau but no one would know about them if it wasn’t for the 4WDs and bikes but now the entire plateau is being assimilated into the great green national park conglomerate. How much more is going to be taken? Can’t just a bit of the plateau be left for us recreational vehicle users? We don’t all like touristy garbage and ride mountain bikes. Nup. Nothing for us even though we pay our rego, insurance and licences. If you don’t think there are many voters driving 4x4s and riding dirt bikes, think again.
Glenn (online)
MCCofNSW becomes a member of Outdoors NSW & ACT
As a result, Outdoors has agreed to assist us with our efforts of advocating for the Trail Bike community.
Outdoors NSW & ACT has formed a trail bike Sub-Committee which comprises of representatives from the peak body and from the MCC’s trail bike Sub-Committee.
A Strategic Intent document has been released, you can read it here. We intend to use it as a talking point with stakeholders to start the development of this strategy.
Currently the Sub-Committee members are listed on Outdoors NSW & ACT webpage:-
https://www.outdoorsnswact.org/trailbikes
Who is Outdoors NSW & ACT?
Outdoors NSW & ACT is the peak body for Outdoor Recreation, Education, Therapy and Adventure Tourism in NSW and the ACT. It supports the industry, its people and organisations in outdoor pursuits that enable the health and well-being of our communities.
A large part of Outdoors NSW & ACT’s work is enabling policy consideration and change to increase participation in the outdoors. Their goals are:-
- Work with stakeholders to advocate for effective policy change on behalf of the industry to increase awareness and participation in the community.
- Build awareness of the industry’s contribution to health and wellbeing to increase active participation both internally as career opportunities and to externally to communities.
- Continually provide opportunities for the industry to develop, prosper and remain a sustainable activity for generations to come
Outdoors NSW & ACT has been evolving for over 30 years. Established in 1984 as The Outdoor Professionals and later becoming the Outdoor Recreation Industry Council of NSW (ORIC) the organisation has long been recognised as the peak industry body representing the interests of outdoor practitioners and employers in NSW & the ACT.
Outdoors NSW ACT is supported by the NSW Office Of Sport. This Partnership acknowledges the work Outdoors NSW & ACT does to develop the outdoor recreation sector and the need to promote the benefits of participating in outdoors activities to the NSW community. The Partnership with the NSW Office of Sport provides an avenue for the sector’s voice to be heard by the government.
What is the Outdoors NSW & ACT Sub-Committee trying to achieve?
- Recognise Trail Bike riding as an activity that has large participation and value
- Gain consideration of needs of recreational motorbikes by identified stakeholders
- Legitimise Trail Bike riding as a legal and beneficial pursuit.
These objectives will be achieved by developing a strategy to promote the interests of trail riders.
We’ll keep you informed of future developments!
Sub-Committee Current Activities Summary July 2021
- Jellore Community 2nd Walk Day – September 4th now confirmed. As an important trail riding location, explore it even more with other stakeholders on the 4th. See you there!
- Jellore NPWS Flora Reserve Working Group Meeting Friday 27th August. This is to discuss the designation changes and Trail Bike access to reserve.
- Continuing development of a NSW strategy – Development of the Manjimup Trail Bike Hub in WA explained. Using the South Australian Off-Road Master Plan and Western Australian Back on Track Strategy as influencing documents.
- We are working with Outdoors NSW/ACT in developing their Trail Riding position. Strategy intent document in draft. Next meeting is 12th July.
- Commenced dialogue with Bicycling NSW around common issues re mountain bikes and e-bikes.
- Invite to top 10 trail bike importers being organised to attend a future information meeting, including KTM, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Husqvarna and Betta.
Canadian Trail Maintenance
Why participate in trail stewardship and give something for your sport?
Check Your Mates
“Trail Tips for Dirty Riders.
Victoria offers some world-renowned trail bike terrain that challenges both rider and machine. Make sure you enjoy your ride by keeping safe and legal and remember to CHECK YOUR MATES before and during each ride.”
Help Make Singletrail Legal – Australasian Dirt Bike Magazine
“Shane Watts is working hard to promote the legalisation of singeltrail in Victorian forests and here’s how you can help.
Complete this 10 minute VicRoads survey outlining why you want and prefer singletrail in the bush.”
Gippsland Trail Bike Safety Pilot Project Community Update – October 2019
“The Victorian Government has committed $2.8 million from the Motorcycle Safety Levy to boost safety for trail bike riders in the popular Neerim State Forest.”