Forests NSW is appealing to the public to drive and ride carefully on forest roads around Tumut and Tumbarumba during the Easter break as they will be sharing them with heavy haulage traffic.

Forests NSW operations and protection manager, Charlie Taylor, said at this time of year the roads become very busy with tourists visiting the forests to fish, camp, bush walk, ride a bike, horse ride and numerous other outdoor activities.

"Visitors need to be aware that as well as being used for recreation, these forests are ‘working forests’, and when driving on the roads they should take extra care as they will meet large trucks as well as cars and motorbikes.

"Large trucks take longer to stop than cars and are not able to take evasive action as easily as smaller vehicles.

"Trucks may also be on the roads at night delivering timber to various mills in the region," he said.

Mr Taylor said drivers should take note of the conditions, for example, loose gravel surfaces, narrow roads, limited vision, native animals crossing and trucks entering major roads from minor forest roads.

"With the extremely dry conditions dust is also a problem at present," he said.

Mr Taylor said motorbike riding was also very popular in the region and a number of serious accidents have recently occurred involving motorbike collisions with other traffic.

"We are particularly appealing to motorbike riders to be careful and to realise that they are sharing the road with some big machinery as well as smaller vehicles," he said.

"The same laws apply to State forest roads and tracks as apply to highways - motorbike riders must be registered and drivers must be licensed. As well, drivers must wear safety equipment as required by law."

"Forests NSW staff conduct regular patrols to make the forests safer for all forest users, and drivers are encouraged to ride in a safe and responsible manner on formed roads.

"Through a commonsense and lawful approach a safe and enjoyable forest experience can be achieved for the general public and other forest users."

Information on recreation in State forests can be found at www.forest.nsw.gov.au/publication/forest_facts/recreation_vehicles/default.asp

Media contact: Sarah Chester on (02) 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669