Good on you Mike for supporting another activity that contributes to peoples health and enjoyment. Both road and mountain biking seems to be growing strongly gauging by the number of shops around these days, yet the bike tracks are disappearing. It doesn't seem to have a strong political lobby. 
 
National parks seems to be heading in the wrong direction in a number of ways, I see them booking riders, drivers for all kinds of silly infringements, blocking access etc - it appears to becoming more of a recalcitrant organisation instead of focusing on assisting and protecting the use of community resources.

Congratulations on your support for Mountain Biking in the Northern Beaches. I live just outside your area but frequent Manly Dam and Oxford Falls for riding. Your support of mine and many peoples favourite sport is appreciated.

Hi, 
as an active mountain biker I'd just like to thank you for the support you are showing our sport and the need for sustainable access to single trail

Historically mountain bike riders are most inconsiderate of shared trail/track users, especially horseback riders. Where horses must walk, such as down hill on such tracks as The Long Trail in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase and the trail to Acron Oval in Garrigal National Park, bike riders come screechiing up behind, coming to a sliding and erodong stop, possibly after the horses' heels but definitely after scaring both horse and rider. Where BMX riders have a custom-built track at JJ Hills Memorial, they disrespect its closure maybe once every ten weeks for a major equestrian event and spook horses, many with very young riders, by jumping with their on the adjoining shed roof and causing serious accidents. We horse riders have learnt that those tracks with more of a clay soil over the Hawkesbury Sandstone base rather a sandy loam covering, rut deeply in wet and dry cement hard. Bike tyres would cause such rutting as to make such trails dangerous if not impossible to use once hardened. To discourage motor bikes but allow horse riders, the entrance to the track at Anembo Reserve, Duffys Forest, has a tight dogleg or poles over cement. If mountain bike riders are so mobility compromised as to be unable to carry their bikes for a distance of less than two metres over such an obstacle, they would be too exhausted from riding in the mud to consider other users of a multi-use track. And I haven't even started on bushwalkers who would be splattered with mud by passing mountain bike riders. 
 
J-Alice HOFLER

Congratulations for your stance on mountain bikes in National Parks. I lived in Manly for a while and rode many laps of Manly dam and beyond before there were any efforts to control where mountain bikes went (it was ovver a decade ago). 
 
Management is the answer. Yes, mountain bikes have an impact on the environment - that's a given, but if it's well managed the outcomes can be very much win-win. More users experiencing the parks and engendering a love for the environment, not to mention a fitter community, is hardly a bad outcome. 
 
Thank you for your support of mountain biking.

As a mountain biker living in Frenchs Forest who has virtually no single track to ride on, I completely support what you are doing. I learnt about your statement "MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK ACCESS" at the Northern Beaches Mountain Biking website (www.nobmob.com) and applaud your efforts. Lets hope this is the start of something good for so many of us.  
 
P.S. Hope to shake your hand out on the trails some time soon!

Just a quick note to congratulate you on the actions you have taken to put MTBing in the light it belongs to. We are not a bunch of hooligans out to destroy nature and be loud, but people who enjoy keeping fit and doing that in the great bushlands at our doorstep. Good MTB trails are an important part of the tourism and leisure infrastructure and hopefully Sydney can catch up to other cities in that regard.

I certainly appreciate your interest in this area. The point has been made but bears repeating that research has shown MTB's do NOT do more damage to the bush than walkers, however renegades sneaking in to make illegal tracks because they have nowhere else to ride certainly do. As a sport MTB lacks formal structure and is not well served by clubs, and therefore lacks any representation in decision-making. Also, as much of the sport is pursued out of sight in the bush, it lacks visibility that reflects its huge participation rate. Northern Beaches Mountain Bike Group directly represent only a small informal sub-group of the large, local MTB community, however I have read some of their website information and I am happy for them to lobby on my behalf. Unfortunately, while bike shop sales might give some indication how many bikes there are out there, it is difficult to know how many people actually enjoy taking bikes into the bush. Thanks again for addressing this issue and I'll be living in hope that you can be a catalyst for a change of NPWS policy and maybe some public funding for facilities. 
Craig Bowra

Awesome to see this being raised at this level, if you manage positive progress with NPWS I will move to Manly and vote for you forever ;-) 
 
Seriously though, MTB'ing really needs this approach right now, it's a great sport that's not going to go away and the ever diminishing quantity of track reduces quality of life and potential for development and enjoyment for a great many people. To me it's a no brainer, good sustainable local track development encourages health and fitness, appreciation of our outdoors, and diverts from more antisocial activity and the conflict over legality of unofficial tracks, which is not a good use of anyone's time. 
 
It seems George Gregan might agree! http://media.smh.com.au/executive-style/top-line-living/george-gregans-rocky-road-554105.html (not my website or an attempt to plug anything, just relevant to the subtect.) 
 
Ta, 
Matt

my older son uses these traila. I do not necesarrily think it is about environmental issues. I think other things like other activities in the area. Do a bit of lateral thinking here.

Good on you Mike for your support in this sport, we need this activity to continue for to build a healthier community.

Mike,I\'d like you to hear a point of view from a regular bushwalker. In the last few my fellow bushwalkers and I have seen such a deterioration in our bush tracks since the intense bike traffic continually chews them up. In heavy rain periods the tracks need closing because of the severe erosion, but so often many riders ignore the warnings and simply lift their bikes over barricades. Also many have no consideration for walkers, and just about knock you down in the rush, in fact my four year old grandson was knocked over by a cyclist last year, and he then abused me for being there! What ever happened to \"give way to pedestrians\".Some of our tracks are now beginning to look like highways due to the high volume of two wheel traffic. Maybe you and Michael Regan need to get out there and have a look at the destruction and disregard many have for our beautiful bushland.

Thanks for your support of our sport.  
 
As a parent of primary school age children it is a growing concern how to protect them from the dangers of life in modern Sydney, and to get them involved in protecting and appreciating our natural resources. 
 
Mountain biking allows us to get further into our parks in less time than walking and with similar impact. At the same time it addresses the need for building fitness, diverting attention from the negative temptations of modern society. All while allowing them a place to excercise and play away from traffic. 
 
Growing up I remember riding freely around our suburb, with current traffic that is just not an option for primary aged children. Let the Northern Beaches lead the way to opening up areas our kids can enjoy in safety. 
 
Thanks again for the support.

Mike, 
Well done for showing support for one of the fastest growing sports in Australia. The kneejerk reactions taken by many regulatory authorities lately need to be challenged. 
Thanks for taking an interest.

Thanks for your support of mountain biking. Its good to see someone in government supporting cycling. Opening trails not only supports the local area, but attracts tourists. Even though he was a tool, the pervious POTUS road his mountain bike round manly - and gave that world wide exposure. 
 
 
Keep up the good work. 
 
s

Mike Baird, I would like to thank you and congratulate you for recognising the need for more trail access for mountain bike riders. Mountain Biking is becoming an increasingly popular sport, however trail access seems to be becoming more limited. National Parks needs to recognise that singletrack (narrow track) is much more popular amongst riders than fire trails. Banning of riders from singletracks that we have ridden for years, without consultation or communication, will only encourage more illegal riding. Containing riding to one track is preferable to many illegal tracks being cut.

Its great that our sport is getting some support like this. Previously i have been really confused to the roadblocks and other bureaucratic obstacles that seem to hinder the efforts to get greater trail access in a country like ours. There is a lot of great terrain out there that if properly managed opens up a whole other tourist stream as well as promoting an active and healthy activity that people of all ages can enjoy. While the article focuses on the Northern Beaches area, I really hope that it pushes the issue into more of a national concern.  
 
Good information leads to motivation which then leads to sustainable change.

One only has to vist Manly Dam on a weekend to see the value of a local riding venue. It is common to see rider from all ages, skill levels and backgrounds enjoying the trails.  
 
Checkout Highbridge Park in New York city. A local riding club, with support of the city, turned a neglected local park into an incredibly popular recreation site in the middle of New York City! If they can find room in New York City, surly we do the same here. We just need someone who understands the importance of such areas. 
 
Thanks for the support Mike!

Thankyou for representing an often maligned group within the community. Mountain bikers aren't anti-environment, they rely on a sound management strategy to support their persuits. Manly Dam is a great example of an acceptable and workable solution for the NPWS, council and riders.  
Thanks again for your support of a worthwhile sport.

Mike, 
 
Thank you for tabling this issue in parliment and bringing some publicity to this passionately viewed topic. Your action and support demonstrate you are a person representing the communities views. Well done. 
 
Regards, 
Brett Griffiths

I am a walker and as long as they stick to the designated track I can\'t see why there would be a problem. We should be promoting a variety of healthy outdoor sports.

It's nice to see that this issue it gaining some momentum locally. Hundreds of cities/areas across the world have proven that you can create sustainable biking trail that work for all parties involved including hikers, horses back riders and the environment. 
 
Thanks for your support Mike Baird.

Thank you Mike for speaking out in support of the mountain biking community. Let us hope something good can come of this for all involved - not just for riders, but for all park user groups. 
 
I notice one or two negative comments about erosion and other issues. These posters should visit the IMBA website (http://www.imba.com/resources/science/) and read the many studies that have concluded mountain bike riding has no more impact on a trail than walkers. 
 
The issue here is management and maintenance. With no official access or work plan riders cannot help maintain trails (to address water flow for example, which can be an issue) which leads to the myth about erosion. It's odd that other user groups show concern about erosion and yet appear to do nothing about it - whereas most riders want to take an active interest in looking after the trails they ride. 
 
If policy is in place to allow riders authorised access and the ability to maintain trails then the outcome would be better for all uses of parks.

I would like to thank you Mike for taking up every cyclists plight. There is no reason why these areas cannot be shared and sustainability addressed with a common sense approach. Well done you have my vote... and my wife's... and my brother's... and my.... 
THANK YOU!

It is laughable to hide behind the banner of "damage to the environment," by mtb'ers, when the real reason you want us gone is you get scared when the uneducated minority come charging past you on the trail! Please do not generalise, it would be better to educate this minority, than to ban them from the trails. They will ride anyway, and will target you as a result of being banned. I saw the same thing happen in South Africa, with disastrous results, and it is far better to work together to find a healthy solution for all, than to to target a specific group of trail users as pests.

I would like to say thank you.  
It is great to see such a forward thinking person Mr Baird. receactional sports such as mountain biking should be incuraged and promoted.  
It is nice to see that people undertand the value of have trails designed and maintained for mountain biking. This concept of specfic trail networks been built has proven to be very sucessful in other parts of australia and overseas. I am very glad to see that someone sees the value in this and is willing to make an effort to see if the same sort of thing canbe established on the northern beaches. BIG thumbs up from me.

Given the responses on this page it is clear that this is a significant issue that many people have views on. Thank you for raising it. 
 
The comments from bushwalkers and horse riders re-inforce the need for a management strategy that allows for mountain biking along side these other legitimate park users.  
 
The key issues of potential trail user interaction and the environmental impacts are precisely the reason why a sustainable management strategy (rather than prohibition) is needed. 
 
Such a strategy would manage the differing environmental impacts of horse riders, cyclists and walkers by designating appropriate single use and multi use trails and ensuring that they are suitable for their intended use. 
 
All users have an impact on the park environment and all users have a desire to enjoy Australia's beautiful bushland.  
 
It is not hard to find poorly designed eroded sections of the Great North Walk in Northern Sydney and point the finger at walkers. Similarly, erosion issues, trampling of alpine vegitation and the spread of noxious weeds caused by horses in the Snowy Mountains could be cited.  
 
However, rather than simply accuse each other of being bigger environmental vandals, let's work together to help land managers solve the issues . That way, everyone benefits.

There was a similar situation in Scotland about 10 years ago. In Glentress Forest just outside Edinburgh a small group of local mountain bike enthusiasts made an arrangement with the Forestry Commission to have several dedicated single tracks for mountain bikes. The tracks could only be rode in one direction and walkers were not to use them as they had their own tracks which the mountain bikers respectfully left alone. This was a massive success. So much so that volunteers started to add features such as built up corners to the single trails for safety and to protect the trails. Glentress Forest is now probably one of the best mountain bike areas IN THE WORLD. Thanks to volunteers and visionaries in the Forestry Commission. As far as I know there are now 7 other similar MTB areas in Scotland all having world class single track. Scotland is now considered to be one of the best areas in the world for downhill mountain biking because of this. 
 
Why can this not be possible here? It would be far safer and better for the environment to dedicate some bush tracks to mountain bikers where it would be in their own best interest to protect and maintain these tracks. No environmental issues. There is probably more bushland on Sydney's north shore than there is in the whole of Scotland so there is no reason why we can't have world class trails here too. 
 
I support this campaign 100%. Good on ya Mike.

Dear Mike, 
 
Your support in this matter is welcome and I wish you the best of luck.  
 
There are many groups of people who use National parks and as with all news, only the bad events are publicised. With a group of 14 MTB'ers I rode on firetrails in a National Park on Sunday. We met 2 walkers in 20 km's of trail riding and passed each other very amicably. Like most people who come into contact with 'our type' they probably won't even remember the occasion. However, like everywhere in the world there will be irresponsible individuals, whether MTB'ers riding without control, bushwalkers lighting prohibited campfires in National Parks or 1 ton horses churning up wet ground. 
 
However, ours is the only lesiure pasttime where there seems to be a systematic removal of opportunities (rights?) to practise our chosen pasttime, yet it is the largest and fastest growing user group in National Parks. Go figure? 
 
National Parks are changing their views and a new managed MTB track at Glenrock is testament to this. There is also traction with the managers of Berowra Valley Regional Park through lobbying by the Hornsby Shire Mountain Bike Association and strong support by Hornsby Council. Your efforts will go a long way to helping to change the attitudes of the NPWS, so that responsible mountain bikers and ride legal, and if necessary sole use, trails and remove the burden of managing illegal riding / building from park managers. They will also find a large community of like minded individuals and group who will be only too pleased to volunteer to help build new tracks.

Thanks for the support. Mountain biking has been responsible for returning me to health, giving my wife and I an enjoyable sport to share as we get older and our knees get worse and helping friends of mine give up smoking. 
 
Sensible access to the environment is important and this is a great first step Mr. Baird.

Thank you Mike for finally getting this issue raised at a higher level. With such a large number of cyclists looking for somewhere to legally ride off-road around Sydney, it seems crazy that there are so few facilities available to us. You only need to look at the success of places in other states such at Mt Stromlo, Beechworth & Eagle to appreciate the overwhelming demand for legal access to trails.

Firtstly thankyou so much on behalf of about 10 mountain bike riders i ride with, designated sustainable downhill and cross country mtb trails are very much needed in our area with thousands of riders of all ages now enjoying mountainbiking in our area every week. We do not wish to ride on walking trails and upset hikers or bushwalkers. We wish help construct a network of sustainable mtb trails that blend in with the environment.This has been done succesfully all over the world and in many areas of Australia in national parks and forests.With the northern beaches having such a focus on drinking and partying it will be great when we have a vast network of sustainable mtb trails built in our area,it will also give the young people and the entire families a sustainable nature based experience sport which they can get involved in. Keep the ball rolling.

Firstly let me thank and congratulate Mr. Baird for giving his attention to this issue.  
 
Secondly, I would like to give my support to this very important issue. I have been riding mountain bikes for over twenty years, and have lived on the northern beaches for more that ten years. Cycling has been a passion of mine since I can remember, it has provided me with income, allowed me to travel to many beautiful place around the world to ride, and most importantly helped me in forging friendships with people that are life long friends as well a a positive peer group. 
 
As a person who works professionally in the outdoors all over the as a guide, outdoor educator, and tour leader, I have always been confused and disappointed with NPWS blanket ban on bicycles. I have seen land managers in other states and especially other countries (particularly the Department of Conservation in NZ) work with all user groups to provide access and safe enjoyment of natural areas. 
 
I very strongly believe that the answer to this problem is a designated mountain bike park on the northern beaches. I from my personal experience I believe the best site for this is Oxford falls. MTB parks can be very well managed as is evidenced in Canberra, with Majura Pines, Sparrow Hill and Mt Stromlo parks all well managed and safe areas. NZ has a number of excellent MTB Parks, with several drawing not just people from the local area, but also domestic and international tourists. 
 
A park on the Northern Beaches would absolutely benefit the local economy with people coming from all over Sydney to use the facilities. 
 
I am not going to mention the health, social and environmental benefits of cycling as they are well known and probably already well stated. 
 
I implore local, state and federal governments to please address access for the community to suitable, safe and manageable areas to enjoy this fantastic and rewarding pastime.  
 
Finally if there is anyway that I can be of assistance in furthering this cause, I would be more than happy to help in any way that I can. 
 
Thanks you for your time, and your willingness to assist. 
 
Sincerely, 
Mark Liddle 
0409 292 787

Mike, thanks for your fantastic work taking up the cause for all outdoor lovers and bringing the sport of mountainbiking to the attention of state parliament. 
 
I currently reside in the UK but am from Sydney and have been keeping a keen eye on the great efforts being made by members of NobMob, MTBA etc in campaigning for the creation of designated trail access for recreational offroad cyclists. 
 
Here in the UK I am lucky enough to regularly enjoy the trail centres of Wales and Scotland and have seen first hand the benefits they have brought to local communities (my wife is from a town near one of the trail hubs in Wales) as well as providing world class, challenging trails to riders. This has all been achieved whilst still maintaining respect for the environment and fellow forest user groups and I see no reason why something similar cannot be developed in NSW. 
 
http://www.7stanes.gov.uk/ 
http://www.mbwales.com/ 
 
Good luck in progressing this issue further

Great to see everyone getting involved in this debate on mountain biking. I just want to respond to some people who are concerned that increased access to the bush will damage the environment. That would be last thing I would be advocating. What we're trying to do is work out how we can protect the bush. Closing off tracks is going to create problems as riders head off in all directions with no controls. Let's work together so we can all enjoy the outdoors and protect our wonderful environment on the northern beaches.

Thankyou very much for your efforts in suppoting the MTB community.  
 
An organised and well discucced plan, drafted up by spokespersons from the MTB community and people like yourself is the best chance we have of sustaining the existance of Mountain bike riding in NP's.  
 
The thing we don't need is supposed experts drafting up such proposals without consultation of the local and broader MTB community. This will lead to useless and unused facilities.  
 
Having said that, I believe educating the MTB community as a whole both, active and social riders. Signs and websites need to be created to broaden the minds of all that use such facilities and tracks. Better and more precise education will result in tracks lasting longer, erosion minimised and more respect from alternative users such as Walkers and Horse riders.  
 
Keep up the god work Mike we all thank you for it! 
 
Regards 
 
Takis

Hi Mike, 
 
Thanks for bringing the concerns of the MTB community in a formal manner us. Here's hoping it makes a difference! 
 
Thanks, 
 
Nathan

Mike, Good on you. I greatly appreciate your willingness to stand up for riders.  
Where can we ride in Manly/Warringah/Pittwater? It's absurd that bush tracks are reserved solely for just one special interest group (bushwalkers). National Parks Assoc should be constructing rough bike trails to bring people into the parks, to encourage clean outdoor activity and to reduce erosion by making a network of tracks available, reducing overcrowding of the very few trails currently legal. 
By the way, did you see the feedback to the mtb article in Tuesday's Manly Daily? If not, I can supply a copy of the first 23 responses (up to 5:20pm on the day of issue). People are obviously concerned abut this.

Thanks to everyone who has commented on this issue. We've had lots of calls at the Manly office as well. What we are trying to achieve is protection for the bush we all love, as well as giving mountain bike riders the opportunity to enjoy their sport. I'm still waiting for a response from Environment Minister Carmel Tebbutt for a meeting and am also going to get together people from each of the various interest groups to talk over the issue and see how we can work towards a solution. We'll keep you posted on any developments. 
Mike

Mike thank you for raising our concerns. As an avid mountain and road rider we seem to be dammed if we ride on the road and risk life and limb upsetting drivers, if we choose to ride in the bush we are restricted to fire trails. Clearly firetrails are of little challenge or interest.  
The National Parks seem to treat mountain bikers for some reason with absolutely no respect. Its a very healthy sport with minimal damage to trails if managed correctly. Mountain bikes if given a fair go adhere to reasonable requests as evident by Manly Dam when its wet. Manly however is now getting such heavy traffic since its the only single track we can ride "legally"  
It amazes me we have this fantastic bushland, and yet the national parks seem to think with thousands of hectares we cant have a measly 1 meter of trail width. It wouldn't even be 0.00001% of a national park thats dedicated to single track. How much damage can we really do?  
On top of this we are one of the most obese nations on the world. 
Mike you will win the respect and vote of 1,000's of voters by supporting our cause.  
Thank you  
Regards 
Carl Terrantroy

Mountain biking is a growing sport and requires the appropriate facilities to enable the sport to grow. If we consider the totally unsustainable facilaties required for soccer and golf, the alterations to the natural environment needed for mountain biking are very minor indeed. Australia is currently leading many of the world rankings within the sport. Lets give our kids the facilities to pursue a sport they are passionate about. 
Thanks again Mike.