mr fish
31-05-05, 21:52
some news from IMBA
Copy submitted to MBR for August Issue.
IMBA News. 31 May 2005
Motorbikes in the Countryside
Mountainbikers have strongly polarised views about the use of trail
motorcycles . So a recent ruling by Government department DEFRA to withdraw
subsidies from farmers who allow motorcycle events on their fields rang
warning bells in the IMBA office.
After all, the disappearance of legal events would inevitably lead to
greater illegal use of trailbikes in the countryside.
The IMBA view is that we should aim to rub along with the trailbike
community providing motorbikes are:
* only ridden on legal trails
* don¹t trash soft surface trails
* are effectively silenced
* pass / overtake with courtesy
Fortunately, some tersely worded correspondence with Environment Minister
Margaret Becket has resulted in a climb down by her department - but even
so, there seems little enthusiasm in England to tackle to problem of illegal
use. In Wales, however, the Countryside Council for Wales are addressing the
issue and have produced a draft strategy for discussion at the Wales Access
Forum. Copies available from IMBA-UK <imba@branchline.demon.co.uk>
Injury Liability Claims - are we the losers?
The current trend to sue landowners following riding injuries is causing
landowners to be increasingly wary about mountainbiking on their land.
Fortunately, the Forestry Commission (FC) continues to be keen to encourage
all forms of cycling in their woods, but the FC have told IMBA that this may
have to change if litigation against them is successful.
Currently, the FC defend all cases robustly and have a policy of not
settling out of court .
This is because they are satisfied that actions following their regular risk
assessments mean that they have fulfilled their duty of care.
We would do well to note the long established attitude of rock climbers, who
have reassured worried landowners that they accept the policy of volenti non
fit injuria - no duty is owed to a person who willingly accepts a risk as
his own. It is important that we recognise that there are risks associated
with mountainbiking and that accidents will happen - particularly where
jumps are involved.
And the message does seem to be getting through. Following a recent
unsuccessful claim against a landowner Law Lord, Lord Hutton commented that
³an unrestrained culture of blame and compensation.....attacks the liberty
of the individual to engage in.......pastimes at his own risk.²
Forestry Commission Jump Site Guidelines
No-one wants days of hard won trail or jump building effort to be Odozed -
when a few tweaks could make the site acceptable to the local forestry
manager.
The Forestry Commission do not want to stop self build projects - but they
do need to be aware of what is happening on their land, as they have a ³duty
of care² both to mountainbikers, and to other users of the forest.
As a result, the FC have agreed to allow their internal jump site management
guidelines to be available via the IMBA-UK website, providing information
for builders to know what is acceptable - and what is not!
In essence, jump site/ trail builders should:
* open a dialogue with the local forester (IMBA can provide contact details)
* avoid using / crossiing paths frequented by other users
* find out about felling programmes or nature conservation issues
* discuss the type of structures likely to be unacceptable to the forester.
IMBA intends to work with the FC to convert this document into a one
designed for build groups to follow.
To access the guidelines go to <www.imba-uk.com> and click on ³Challenging
Bike Areas - Guidelines for Managers².
Trailbuild Working Dates
Many of the IMBA-UK affiliated clubs are heavily involved in trail building
projects - and are keen to speed their work by inviting more mtbers to join
their work days.
Below is a selection of these - with more information provided via links
from the Affiliated Clubs section on the IMBA-UK website.
Scotland
Stirling. Carron Valley Development Group
Every Tuesday evening 6pm - 9pm. Saturdays 10am - 4pm
Meet: MR272195E 683775N (N56:01:47 W4:03:09)
Bring: Sturdy footwear, old clothes and work gloves.
Food/water (pub about 1 mile for post-trailbuilding refreshments).
Work: Clearing the trail corridor / planning new trails inc. North Shore.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=272195&Y=683775&A=Y&Z=3)
Contact Richard Barton <webmaster@stirlingbikeclub.org.uk>
Kelty, near Cowdenbeath. Blairadam Forest
9am - 1pm Sundays: June 26th, July 10th, July 24th
Meet: Main car park (NT 129 946 )
Work: Drainage, trailbuilding and maintenance. Clearing existing trails.
www.blairadam.com
Contact: Grant <grant@septimus.org>
Northern Ireland
Belfast. mtb Rider.
Fortnightly trailbuilding days. Dates and venues set about 14 days in
advance.
Details from www.mtbrider.com
Contact: Andy Beavis <andybeavis@ntlworld.com>
England
Sheffield. Wharncliffe Forest
A new trailbuilding group is being formed to develop singletrack and
downhill courses, with access linked from the Trans Pennine Trail.
For more information contact Chris Bray at <chris.bray@forestry.gsi.gov.uk>
Colin Palmer
Office now closed to 12th June.
Copy submitted to MBR for August Issue.
IMBA News. 31 May 2005
Motorbikes in the Countryside
Mountainbikers have strongly polarised views about the use of trail
motorcycles . So a recent ruling by Government department DEFRA to withdraw
subsidies from farmers who allow motorcycle events on their fields rang
warning bells in the IMBA office.
After all, the disappearance of legal events would inevitably lead to
greater illegal use of trailbikes in the countryside.
The IMBA view is that we should aim to rub along with the trailbike
community providing motorbikes are:
* only ridden on legal trails
* don¹t trash soft surface trails
* are effectively silenced
* pass / overtake with courtesy
Fortunately, some tersely worded correspondence with Environment Minister
Margaret Becket has resulted in a climb down by her department - but even
so, there seems little enthusiasm in England to tackle to problem of illegal
use. In Wales, however, the Countryside Council for Wales are addressing the
issue and have produced a draft strategy for discussion at the Wales Access
Forum. Copies available from IMBA-UK <imba@branchline.demon.co.uk>
Injury Liability Claims - are we the losers?
The current trend to sue landowners following riding injuries is causing
landowners to be increasingly wary about mountainbiking on their land.
Fortunately, the Forestry Commission (FC) continues to be keen to encourage
all forms of cycling in their woods, but the FC have told IMBA that this may
have to change if litigation against them is successful.
Currently, the FC defend all cases robustly and have a policy of not
settling out of court .
This is because they are satisfied that actions following their regular risk
assessments mean that they have fulfilled their duty of care.
We would do well to note the long established attitude of rock climbers, who
have reassured worried landowners that they accept the policy of volenti non
fit injuria - no duty is owed to a person who willingly accepts a risk as
his own. It is important that we recognise that there are risks associated
with mountainbiking and that accidents will happen - particularly where
jumps are involved.
And the message does seem to be getting through. Following a recent
unsuccessful claim against a landowner Law Lord, Lord Hutton commented that
³an unrestrained culture of blame and compensation.....attacks the liberty
of the individual to engage in.......pastimes at his own risk.²
Forestry Commission Jump Site Guidelines
No-one wants days of hard won trail or jump building effort to be Odozed -
when a few tweaks could make the site acceptable to the local forestry
manager.
The Forestry Commission do not want to stop self build projects - but they
do need to be aware of what is happening on their land, as they have a ³duty
of care² both to mountainbikers, and to other users of the forest.
As a result, the FC have agreed to allow their internal jump site management
guidelines to be available via the IMBA-UK website, providing information
for builders to know what is acceptable - and what is not!
In essence, jump site/ trail builders should:
* open a dialogue with the local forester (IMBA can provide contact details)
* avoid using / crossiing paths frequented by other users
* find out about felling programmes or nature conservation issues
* discuss the type of structures likely to be unacceptable to the forester.
IMBA intends to work with the FC to convert this document into a one
designed for build groups to follow.
To access the guidelines go to <www.imba-uk.com> and click on ³Challenging
Bike Areas - Guidelines for Managers².
Trailbuild Working Dates
Many of the IMBA-UK affiliated clubs are heavily involved in trail building
projects - and are keen to speed their work by inviting more mtbers to join
their work days.
Below is a selection of these - with more information provided via links
from the Affiliated Clubs section on the IMBA-UK website.
Scotland
Stirling. Carron Valley Development Group
Every Tuesday evening 6pm - 9pm. Saturdays 10am - 4pm
Meet: MR272195E 683775N (N56:01:47 W4:03:09)
Bring: Sturdy footwear, old clothes and work gloves.
Food/water (pub about 1 mile for post-trailbuilding refreshments).
Work: Clearing the trail corridor / planning new trails inc. North Shore.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=272195&Y=683775&A=Y&Z=3)
Contact Richard Barton <webmaster@stirlingbikeclub.org.uk>
Kelty, near Cowdenbeath. Blairadam Forest
9am - 1pm Sundays: June 26th, July 10th, July 24th
Meet: Main car park (NT 129 946 )
Work: Drainage, trailbuilding and maintenance. Clearing existing trails.
www.blairadam.com
Contact: Grant <grant@septimus.org>
Northern Ireland
Belfast. mtb Rider.
Fortnightly trailbuilding days. Dates and venues set about 14 days in
advance.
Details from www.mtbrider.com
Contact: Andy Beavis <andybeavis@ntlworld.com>
England
Sheffield. Wharncliffe Forest
A new trailbuilding group is being formed to develop singletrack and
downhill courses, with access linked from the Trans Pennine Trail.
For more information contact Chris Bray at <chris.bray@forestry.gsi.gov.uk>
Colin Palmer
Office now closed to 12th June.