Project helps educate forest trail bike riders

A joint project is underway to help trail bike riders become more aware of the safety, environmental and social issues of recreational activities in our forests.

The project undertaken by the Dual Sport Motorcycle Riders Association, Motorcycle Council of NSW and Forests NSW also aims to continue to improve relations between forest users, land managers, police and locals.

Forests NSW acting manager Sustainability Group Hilary Smith said the project had been funded by the NSW Environmental Trust to develop and implement an educational and awareness raising process for forest recreation users.

“In particular, it will focus on trail bikers to address safety and reduce irresponsible and illegitimate forest use, while highlighting the environmental and social issues of forest trail recreation,” she said.

“The key to the project will be consultation with all forest users, land managers and affected communities about their issues and perceptions of trail bike riding and its impacts on forests.”

“Outcomes of the project will include educational and promotional material encouraging appropriate and responsible use of our forests, while improving people’s understanding of forests for their recreational, commercial and environmental worth.

“The aim is to influence the behaviour of trail bikers while they’re enjoying the forest, by providing them with easily accessible and relevant information.”

Dr Smith said the project’s steering committee would like to establish a list of contacts willing to act as a reference group for the project.

“Participation on the reference groups would involve providing input to the steering committee about the relationship between your activity and trail bike riding, and providing comment/feedback on the products as they are developed,” she said.

Project co-ordinator from the Motorcycle Council of NSW, Clinton Jurd, said the steering committee was keen to have as diverse and extensive participation in the project as possible.

“Consultation and participation is crucial to the project’s success," he said.

If you would be willing to participate please forward your contact details to the project coordinator Clinton Jurd at clinton_jurd@hotmail.com

The project has been funded until 2008.