Access to the Newnes and Ben Bullen State Forests for single track trail bike riding

Access to the Newnes and Ben Bullen State Forests for single track trail bike riding

Started
14 November 2021
Petition to
Dominic PERROTTET (NSW Government) and 3 others
Petition Closed
This petition had 3,291 supporters

Why this petition matters

Started by Glenn Alderton

The recent proposal to convert the above mentioned forests to eco-tourism through NPWS management via a State Conservation Area and National Park may follow other instances where all trail biking riding is banned. This area has been used by the general public for many decades and is a hub for longwall coal mining and above ground sand mining. The hardwood forests have been extensively logged and the pine plantations have been stripped and left barren. The Newnes Plateau is a haven for the trail bike and enduro riders and is the last locale of supreme riding experience within 1.5 hours drive from Sydney. The Motorcycle Council of NSW supports our riders who are fully registered, licenced and insured. Unfortunately these riders are inappropriately tarred with a criminal brush due to those who ride unlicensed and unregistered. Trail bike riding is the only recreational activity deemed and promoted as inappropriate to the general public, yet causes far less damage to the environment than perceived. We are not young hooligans! We have active riders aged 70 and over and the average age of our riders is mid 40's! We are socially, environmentally and culturally aware. Riding is for us is about health and well-being, stress management and love for the bush.

Riders have actively worked with Forestry Corporation and Local Land Service teams to manage the swamps and creeks, and are happy to continue that work and provide further management of our trails to ensure that environmental and cultural impacts are minimised and are sustainable for future use. Shutting us down as a legitimate activity will shortly extend to all other public forests following Newnes and Ben Bullen, and the effects are widespread. From the individual issues relating to health and well-being, through to the reduction in tourism and ultimately the effect it will have on the sales of trail bikes – it is a recreational activity worth hundreds of $M per year!

The Motorcycle Council of NSW’s Trail & Adventure Riders sub-committee is working hard to ensure our continued existence but now we need YOU to cast your vote in support of our legitimate right to ride single track trails in publicly owned forests.

Do you support the Motorcycle Council of NSW in retaining access to single trails? Yes/No.

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Petition Closed

This petition had 3,291 supporters

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Decision makers

  • NSW Premier
  • Dominic PERROTTETNSW Government
  • Matt KeanMinister for Environment
  • Paul TooleMember for Bathurst