General Cycling Discussion - ATTN: Kiwis!

Mountain bikers claim walkers laying traps

A feud between walkers and mountain bikers over rights of way on Tinakori Hill above Wellington city has turned nasty with several booby traps found on tracks in the area.

Francis Hoen, of Johnsonville Cycles, said he had seen things such as thumb tacks thrown all over one track, logs placed across routes at head height and trenches dug near blind corners.

"It's childish and silly and very selfish, they clearly just don't want to share the tracks."

Since 1998 Tinakori Hill has been closed to all mountain bikers except for the ridge path, but Mr Hoen said he still walked the less-used tracks with his five-year-old son.

Even though bikers were banned, Mr Hoen said it showed a complete disregard for people's safety.

"It is dangerous and pointless because bikers just go round the obstacle and create more tracks, it's crazy."

Jonathan Kennett – publisher of Classic New Zealand Mountain Bike Rides, who also lives near Tinakori Hill – said very few mountain bikers rode Tinakori Hill since the ban.

"Clearly there is someone that's quite obsessed with trying to stop the last few people biking there. I think it is really irresponsible and shows a lack of balance."

Last year, a similar problem arose with booby-traps being placed on Mt Victoria.

Wellington City Council parks and gardens spokesman Mike Oates said laying booby traps was not the way to deal with mountain bikers.

"If someone has concerns they should talk to us and we will educate mountain bikers about where they can go but taking the law into their own hands is foolhardy."

Police said they were aware of a feud and anyone caught laying traps would be prosecuted and could face up to five years' imprisonment.

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http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2851424a4560,00.html

That is just bizarre. I suppose nobody's thought of the possibility that the traps they lay might catch another walker? Or am I expecting too much in the way of intelligence?

Odd... :S a poor little 5y/o will end up with those tacks in his/her foot more than likely.

Brendon

In the Uk. Bikes can ride on Bridlepaths, but not the ramblers footpaths. This is in general abided by, but there is always some one going to upset a rambler. What gets me are the Walkers/ ramblers that attempt to obstuct our legal riding, amd then blame us for the accidents that occur when we hit them. In general We all get on together, but there is always someone going to upset, or be upset by, the other side.
Both sides have to respect each other, but I have come across more riders that have upset me than I have ramblers. Mind you, I have probably upset more Ramblers than I ought to have done, as I look out for bikers in bright coloured clothing, and honestly don't see the camouflaged ramblers in their green Anoraks, until it is too late.

In Christchurch there is one designated MTB only trail in the port hills. I was flying down it one day, came around the corner and there is this whole scout troop doing some kind of organized hike. This is with about 35 7-10 years olds. They had props (like a door frame with door) set up along the trail. CRAZY. But it was kind of fun riding through a door in the middle of nowhere.

Also in Burwood forest (chch), there are miles of walking only trails. There are two MTB only paths. And what happens. There is a section that goes slightly downhill, does about a 70 degree turn onto a small bump that is just right to get some good air. I whip the turn at full speed, hit the bump, and as I am in the air......you guessed it, a whole troop of little scouts are dead ahead. I yelled and they got out of the way in time.

What is wrong with these people? Aren't they supposed to be teaching these kids safety and respect for the rules????????

In the Uk. Bikes can ride on Bridlepaths, but not the ramblers footpaths. This is in general abided by, but there is always some one going to upset a rambler. What gets me are the Walkers/ ramblers that attempt to obstuct our legal riding, amd then blame us for the accidents that occur when we hit them. In general We all get on together, but there is always someone going to upset, or be upset by, the other side.
Both sides have to respect each other, but I have come across more riders that have upset me than I have ramblers. Mind you, I have probably upset more Ramblers than I ought to have done, as I look out for bikers in bright coloured clothing, and honestly don't see the camouflaged ramblers in their green Anoraks, until it is too late.

Still not really sure how any of this justifies the setting of traps.

Still not really sure how any of this justifies the setting of traps.

Setting of traps, cannot be justified, whether the riders are legal or not, but my point is that the two sides have to respect each other. I ride the trails round here in sussex all year, and never have a problem with horse riders, ramblers, bikers, dog owners or any one else===In Winter. The summer is a different matter.
That someone can take it into their own hands to make it difficult for riders not to be able to use trails that are not open to them is fair in my book. For them to make it dangerous, not only for bikers, but for all trail users is lunacy. The person doing it must realise the consequences of what their illegal actions can have, but trying to catch them will be difficult, if not impossible. The only action the bikers in this area can take is self preservation, by not riding the trails that are not open to them, and to work with the local community to catch this idiot.

Setting of traps, cannot be justified, whether the riders are legal or not, but my point is that the two sides have to respect each other. I ride the trails round here in sussex all year, and never have a problem with horse riders, ramblers, bikers, dog owners or any one else===In Winter. The summer is a different matter.

This is normal -- people around here are saner in "winter" than summer too.



That someone can take it into their own hands to make it difficult for riders not to be able to use trails that are not open to them is fair in my book. For them to make it dangerous, not only for bikers, but for all trail users is lunacy.

But where do you draw the line? If you open it up for people to "make it difficult" for others, you open up all sorts of possibilities, such as the one that has occurred in this case, when some idiots decide to take matters one step further.


The person doing it must realise the consequences of what their illegal actions can have, but trying to catch them will be difficult, if not impossible. The only action the bikers in this area can take is self preservation, by not riding the trails that are not open to them, and to work with the local community to catch this idiot.

Yeah, guess idiots like this one give all walkers a bad name. :rolleyes: