Author: Steve Pretzel

The recent news report of the head of Princess Margaret Hospital's Emergency Department questioning whether kids under 16 years of age should be allowed to ride trail and quad bikes certainly stirred the pot amongst riders.  When the West's poll closed, over 3,000 people (96% of respondents) had said NO! to the idea of banning children.

The RTRA's position, and clearly that of most riders (and presumably pragmatic non-riders) is that the decision about whether or not a child is capable of riding - and what, where and when they are capable of riding - is best left to the parents.

But of course this pre-supposes that parents can make sensible decisions on behalf of their kids.

I was up at Pinjar today and I saw:

1. A mother who was distraught because her five year old had taken her younger sibling on a quad bike - and had disappeared.  I volunteered to go look for them, but within a minute I came across...
2. A sub 8 year old on a PeeWee 50 who was out on the sandy trails on his own and had gotten bogged in a whoop that was nearly as deep as he was tall.  The bike had fallen over and the poor little guy was just sitting there crying, unable to pick it up, let alone start it and dig it out of the hole.  I helped him get it up and started, lifted it on to some more solid ground and pointed him in the direction of the car park.  I then continued my search for the kids on the quad.  I did a loop of the area where the disappearing quad-kids were last seen and, having seen nothing, started to head back.  I came across another rider who reported that the kids had turned up safely.  Phew.
3. Not more than two minutes later an old MX bike came up Orchid Rd at a fast cruise.  Sitting in front of the rider (who was wearing a helmet) was an un-helmeted kid of maybe three or four years of age.

Now our typical reaction when we see things like these is to shake our head and say "Crazy ..."  Or to feel better about ourselves and our 'All the Gear, all the Time' policy and close supervision of our kids.

But today I felt really angry.  Because it's the incidents and accidents that happen to other people's kids that are threatening our own families' rights to enjoy responsible riding.

So what can we do about it?

Well, I can write about it in a blog and hope that these random incidents will make some parents think a little more about how they are supervising their kids' riding.

But more importantly, we need to all understand our stake in this and realise that if other people's kids continue getting hurt unnecessarily then the prospects of our own kids and grandkids being able to enjoy the freedom and joy of riding off-road is going to continually be under threat.

The RTRA is helping by lobbying to create family-friendly riding areas that makes supervision easier.  MWA is helping through its excellent MotoSafe series in schools and by working to create a MiniKhana series in WA that will provide a supervised riding environment.  Most major manufacturers, particularly of quad bikes create some good safety-related materials.  The emerging commercial ride parks are applying safety equipment and riding rules.  But it would seem more and better communication with parents is still needed. 

As individuals we can help by always setting a good example in protecting and supervising our kids and being empowered to tactfully suggest to others that they should do likewise.

It's not something we can ignore, because ultimately other people's kids are our problem too.

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Footnote:  Just as I was leaving Pinjar today I saw a different, more positive, sight.  Dad on his mountain bike leading the way with a fully kitted out very junior rider happily following on his PeeWee!

Author: Brett Soltoggio

Are Quad Riders Trail Bike Riders ?

I believe that we are and if you read the following, I think you will agree.

We mostly ride for the enjoyment and camaraderie riding trails, camping out with family and friends in the outdoors and sharing good times. Activities all riders have in common.

Unfortunately as a quad rider, I have to ride illegally if I want to ride trails other than pine plantations and sand dunes.

Until the government issues a registration scheme, the quality trails that registered bikes have access to are off limits.

Quad riders find this very frustrating as there are currently no legal trail riding opportunities close to Perth.  Some of the trails in the eastern hills are clearly not suitable for quads, but there are many areas where a suitably registered quad rider would have as much fun as a two wheeler in single track heaven.

Another commonality we share is the lunatic fringe; riders who persist in riding in inappropriate places, without proper protective equipment and generally giving responsible riders a bad name.
These riders, both 2 and 4 wheels do more harm to the trail bike community by attracting more negative press coverage than we need right now.

A third issue that I see quad and bike riders having in common is a general sense of ownership of the trail network that you frequent. It's not unusual to see trail riders cleaning up rubbish and leaving areas in better condition after a ride than before.

How does all that RUBBISH get out onto the trails in the first place ?

So is my idea of good trail ride - a variety of trails, hill climbs, rocky sections, fast flowing fire trails, riding responsibly, but illegally, with a group of friends and family having a day out on their quads - any different to what a 2 wheel trail bike rider would do in the same situation?

I feel that this qualifies quad riders as Trail Bike Riders.

Hopefully soon we will be able to say that we are legal trail bike riders, just with four wheels instead of two.

Author: Valerie Pretzel

I had an awesome ride on the weekend with West Coast Trail Bike Safaris, probably my eighth ride with them over the last 4 years or so. Now as much as I’d love to be up to the harder rides, I have great rides at the Introduction level and the “Girls and Partners” rides. These rides still challenge me and importantly bring me home with a smile on my face and plans for my next ride.

There were 14 people on the ride on Saturday – 3 women and guys ranging from late twenties through to…well let’s just say, somewhere on the other side of fifty. They came from all different backgrounds and careers – some had been riding off road for a while and for some it was their second time on the dirt after riding road bikes. By the end of the ride those guys were planning which bike was soon going to have a home in the garage as they caught the trail bike bug.

This isn’t the usual picture the public have of trail bike riders – there wasn’t a 17 year old Crusty Demon wannabe in sight – some were old and Crusty but that was the closest it came ☺.

When lobbying the government for more and better trails, and a better image for trail bike riders – the first thing we have to do is break down the stereotypes. I can see the surprise in their eyes when they find out I ride. I started riding when I was on the wrong side of forty, I am five foot one and most describe me as “petite” – not the usual picture of a trail bike rider. I started riding because my other half had got back into it after a decade off the bike and my daughter declared she wanted to give up riding horses to ride a trail bike (much to her dad’s joy!) – so I figured if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em….and I haven’t looked back!

When Sport & Recreation people dismiss trail bike riding as not having any exercise value, I am able to confidently tell them that my upper body and legs certainly get a workout and my heart rate gets to the same level as when I do a Spin class. We get quality family time, some amazing adventures with our friends and we get to see parts of beautiful WA that I would never otherwise see.

There are still plenty of negative stereotypes to break down but we can see how far we have come in the last 4 years. We’d love to hear your stories, and remember, when you are out on the trails, do your bit to change those old negative stereotypes.
 

Author: George Lowry

Last week the bloody bike threw me off (yes blame the tools, not the tool riding it). As I sailed through the air, I started to ponder (as you do) how much landing was going to hurt. The problem was that my shoulder was lining up to take the full impact of landing and my recollection of the body armour I was wearing was that there wasn't too much of it around the shoulder area! Duh... note to self... get some more shoulder armour and a neck brace!

Bang! Crack! I hit the ground and immediately a sharp pain shot through the shoulder into the neck and down the back. Faaaaarrrrrge! I lay there wondering if I should move... as usual the audience soon arrives and provides great motivation to stand up, be brave and pick the bike up and continue onwards, if only to get to the next stop to ring for help!

Back in Perth, a lot of x-rays and CT scans later, I've been wondering some more as I swallow a lot of pills and limp about... why do we do this to ourselves!!! The answer I believe is pretty simple. Trail bike riding is the simply the most awesome recreational sport going round!! Out on the trails during the day communing with nature, sitting round fires at night telling epic stories of bravery, heroism and 'how good am I' (the last one obviously not me!).

As good as the sport is, I believe there are ever-present dangers which if left unchecked will destroy it. The first is called "selfishness". I'm guilty of it. Why should I get involved.. I know where I like to ride, when I ride and with who. Why should I give a toss about other riders much less help them. Selfishness leads to the next danger. Apathy. That's the sit on your fat ass and let others do the work.

So why do I give time and money to the RTRA? Because trail riding is the best sport. Because people are out there lobbying state and local government to not only protect the activity but invest significant resources in developing it. Because public servants are working at state and local government levels trying to do the right thing by our sport... and they need our support and encouragement. But mainly because I don't want to be another rider who is too selfish to get off his fat ass and give something back to the sport.

No pain, no gain!!