- Target:
- Victoria
- Region:
- Australia
Over the last few years we have seen the efforts put in by other states to develop statewide strategic plans for Mountain Biking e.g. South Australia and Tasmania, which have not only placed Mountain Biking on the radar but have strengthen and advanced the sport in these states.
Such strategic plans have provided opportunities for individual Mountain Bikers to enjoy legal single trails as well as being of great benefit for local clubs. Such plans have lead to the allocation of funding of key infrastructure, through active consultation with mountain bikers and clubs, with a long term statewide view in mind, meaning that trails are being developed in appropriate areas to serve the needs of all mountain bikers.
While we have seen an expansion of Mountain Biking across the state of Victoria in recent years this expansion has been somewhat sporadic, being reliant on either long term and productive relationships between Mountain Bike clubs and land managers, commercial interest or one off decision based on political will. In addition, as the number of clubs is growing as well as their membership, clubs are faced with the prospect of developing legal trail infrastructure, often on public land, in order to ensure club viability.
This process requires consultation and engagement with local land managers and, without a clear statewide vision and policy framework to back it up, the success of these efforts is dependent on the attitudes of the local managers. As a result, inconsistency in the way in which Mountain Bike infrastructure is developed (and not developed) exists.
With the upcoming Victorian election we would like to urge all Mountain Bikers and Mountain Bike clubs to make their voices heard and put Mountain biking on the political agenda. We are asking the State Government to develop a Statewide Mountain Bike Strategy that, in consultation with Mountain Bikers and clubs;
- Outlines detailed plans for the development of Mountain Bike infrastructure across the whole state and how this can be achieved over a time period ensuring it is flexible enough to cater for future needs,
- Allocates appropriate funding for the establishment and ongoing management of this infrastructure,
- Outlines consistent and transparent policy relating to Mountain Biking across all land tenures across the whole state.
Show your support by signing this online petition and if you have the time, write to your local member of parliament or the Minister for Environment, Climate change and Innovation the Honorable Mr Gavin
Jennings (Gavin.Jennings@parliament.vic.gov.au). Ask that they place a Statewide Mountain Bike Strategy on the agenda that delivers on the aims outlined above.
It is time now that the Victorian State Government and land manager take Mountain biking seriously and develop a coordinated big picture strategy. Other states have done this, why can't ours.
With enough support we can get the government to take action.
The Support a Victorian MTB Strategy petition to Victoria was written by bscc mtb and is in the category Sports at GoPetition.