Mountain  Biking  in  the  Mt  Arthur  Reserve  -  Code  of  Conduct

WHERE CAN I RIDE?
The Mount Arthur Trust only permits mountain bike riding on:

  • The mountain bike trails as marked on the map. These are all downhill trails for experienced riders only
  • All management trails marked on the map.

Mountain bike riding elsewhere within the Reserve is prohibited.

Please do not ride on walking trails or informal trails. Informal trails within the Reserve are currently being rehabilitated.
WHY IS RIDING RESTRICTED TO THESE AREAS?
Like other forms of recreation in the Reserve, mountain bike riding is restricted to certain areas for a number of reasons:

  • The Mount Arthur Reserve has significant natural values. The Trust wishes to keep impacts on these values to a minimum, by avoiding disturbance in the form of new roads and trails as much as possible.

  • The Reserve does not belong to any one user group. There are many other recreational users of the Reserve and the Trust wants to minimise potential conflicts. For visitor safety, the Trust has chosen to prohibit mountain bike riding on designated walking trails.
WHAT RULES MUST I FOLLOW?
It is important that you follow these rules to minimise risk, conflict and environmental impacts:

  • Ride on designated mountain bike tracks, roads, and management vehicle tracks only. Walking tracks are managed for walkers and are not available for use by bicycles.

  • Respect the rights of others. Be courteous and respectful. Other visitors have the same rights as you, so let them go about their activities without interference. Inform others you are behind them and how many are in your group. Keep speeds down to avoid frightening other visitors.

  • If you meet walkers on management trails, always give them right of way. Walkers may also be using management trails. Announce your presence, slow down and give them right of way as you pass.

  • Be aware of intersections with walking trails. Some designated mountain bike trails cross walking trails. SIgns are in place warning cyclists that they are approaching a trail. Please slow down at walking trail intersections and warn of your approach.

  • If you pass horse riders on management trails, always give horses right of way. Horses may also be using the management trails. Some horses are easily frightened by bicycles. Announce your presence by voice, dismount and talk as the horse and rider pass to reassure the animal. If necessary, move off the track giving the horse plenty of room. Be alert for signs of horses (hoof prints or droppings) and watch for them on bends or crests.

  • Ride Safely. Ride within your ability and according to track conditions. Maintain control o your bicycle and ride at a safe speed. Slow down approaching blind spots like corners, other users may be ahead.

  • Avoid skidding and cutting corners. Skidding reduces your control and damages tracks. This can then lead to erosion. Cutting corners also causes erosion. Don't cut corners, stay on the track.

  • Stay away from wet, muddy areas. Muddy areas are very prone to damage. The tracks you leave behind channel the water when it rains and this leads to erosion.

  • Carry your rubbish out with you.
OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE
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  • Please do not construct new trails or new features (e.g. jumps etc) within the Reserve. This can damage sensitive plants such as orchids and may also impact Aboriginal objects. If there is a need for upgrading of existing mountain bike trails, please speak to the Trust. Unauthorised equipment left within the Reserve will be removed by the Trust.

  • Watch out for pedestrians on designated mountain bike trails. Whilst signage clearly indicates that walkers should not be on designated mountain bike trails, some walkers have nevertheless strayed onto these trails. Please be aware that whilst walkers should not be on the bike trails, there may be some people who disregard the warning signage.
RISK WARNING - CONDITION OF ENTRY
PERSONS RIDING BICYCLES IN THIS RESERVE DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK AND WILL BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURIES CAUSED TO THE RESERVE OR TO OTHER USERS

In accordance with Civil Liability Act 2002 the Trust warns all persons who engage in any recreational activity in this Reserve, that doing so may result in harm or injury and such persons do so at their own risk and will be held responsible for their actions.

BICYCLE RIDERS MUST BE CAUTIOUS OF AND GIVE WAY TO OTHER USERS ON THIS RESERVE.