State Trail Bike Strategy

The State Trail Bike Strategy was released in 2008 to address the issues of trail bike riding in WA.

RTRA received funding to develop a strategy which proposed a framework for planning and managing recreational trail bike riding on public and private lands as well as coordinating cooperation between the relevant State Government agencies, local communities, local government and recreational trail bike riders.

The main objectives are to:
• Develop a systems approach
• Align the interests of all stakeholders
• Maximise health and wellbeing, economic, tourism and social benefits attributable to Trail riding
• Minimise injuries and incidence of environmental impact attributable to Trail Bike use
• Foster culture and encourage ettqutte amongst trail bike riders and community members
• Provide for long term sustainability

Extensive consultation and international and Australian research was undertaken.  98 recommendations have been formulated around six Key Focus Areas.

1. Insurance, Liability and Risk Management – In order for facilities to be provided by land managers, the issues of insurance, liability and risk management must be addressed.
2. Trails Planning – Designated trails and venues must be planned, developed and maintained to attract trail bike riders and to ensure minimal environment and community impact.
3. Managing for Sustainability – In order to develop sustainability, the issues of governance, land and trail management, noise regulation and evaluation need to be addressed.
4. Changing Behaviours – Programs are proposed using community based social marketing techniques, education, self regulation and finally enforcement.
5. Registration and Licensing – Trail bike riding must be better managed which requires increased regulation with registration, licensing and enforcement.
6. Funding Models – To ensure implementation, sustainability and management a recurrent funding stream is required.

Current Status
The Strategy has received bi-partisan support however the Government has not yet provided funding or resources to progress the recommendations. Despite this, the RTRA has been able to progress a number of initiatives in partnership with the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Sport and Recreation.

RTRA Position
With Ebikes exploding motorised trail use is growing into one of the largest user groups and the RTRA believes that the strategy is world’s best practice and if implemented fully and according to the recommendations will go a long way to resolving trail bike issues for riders, community and the environment.  

RTRA would like to see the process move more quickly particularly in relation to re-developing the off-road vehicle areas and creating more riding opportunities.  RTRA also recognises that the whole trail bike riding community needs to take responsibility for the actions and behaviour of trail bike riders if we want our activity to be accepted by the community.

We continue to lobby hard across government to get the State Trail Bike Strategy endorsed by the State Government along with the provision of required funding and resources.