Redland City Council Local Laws officers are planning a crackdown on illegal motorised trail bike use in designated conservation areas across the Redlands.
Working with support of local Police, Council’s city wide crackdown will focus on the Bayside Conservation Area, Redland Track Park, Scribbly Gums Conservation Reserve and the Greater Glider conservation management area.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the use of motorcycles (including quads) was unlawful and clearly signed in the city’s conservation areas.
“The fact that a number of trail bike users are entering the conservation areas through more remote access points or damaging fencing to gain access means they clearly understand this.
“The acronym MTB (Mountain Bikes) signed in our track parks and conservation areas applies to non-motorised mountain bicycles (a legitimate activity in council reserves) and not motorised bikes.
“Motorised trail bike use in conservation areas is damaging to wildlife and plants in sensitive environmental areas and is potentially dangerous to other legitimate users.
“Motorbikes can cause severe erosion, including damage to carefully designed trails that have taken years of efforts to establish and maintain.
“Motorbikes are also a potential hazard to the riders and other users of the trails including walkers, runners and cyclists who have been attracted in increasing numbers to use the Redlands conservation areas by their quality and clear environmental values.
“Council appreciates that motorised trail bike riding is a popular and genuine recreational pursuit and a skilled sport.
“It is for this reason that Council has co-invested in regional trail bike facilities established on 745 hectares of land at Wyaralong, about 25 kilometers west of Beaudesert.
“Councillors and users recently helped celebrate the opening of new trail head facilities at the Redland Track Park in Cleveland.
“These trails are important community and conservation resources that help attract key events and visitors to the city.
“Council has worked hard to invest in facilities for all users including trail bike riders and asks that all users respect these areas and use them appropriately.”
Fines for unlawful use of motorcycles in reserves can range up to a maximum of $6,095 if prosecuted – or $609.00 for an infringement notice, while illegal and unregistered motorcycle use on public roads carry a range of police enforced penalties.
