By: Michael Fox
Our community speaks out against destructive mountain biking on Mt Gravatt:
Southern Star – 1 August 2012
Local Councilor Krista Adams has reconfirmed the Council’s long standing commitment to keeping Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve free of mountain bike riding.
Letter of support – Whites Hill-Pine Mountain Community Group Inc.
BCC Local Area Services are providing strong on ground action – closing illegal tracks, mulching damaged areas and increasing their presence in the Reserve to catch riders still ignoring our community’s laws. Riders, who apparently could not see multiple signs saying “No Motor Bikes No Mountain Bikes”, have now been told very clearly that off road riding is illegal and subject to $500 fines.
We have also received emails and letters of support by community members and groups heartened by our action and the support we have received from Council.
We are proud of our community
Track exit beside No Mountain Bikes sign
and appreciate the recognition of our work however we know from past experience that illegal mountain bikers will be back fast if we, as a community, don’t stay alert.
As recently as Wednesday last week, National Tree Day, I found fresh bike tracks on in the area just down hill of the water reservoir. I was walking those tracks to document the erosion and tree root damage caused by mountain bikes.
New mountain bike bridge
These were not just tracks cleared through the bush, I even found a what looked like a fairly new timber bridge.
Mountain bike activity in that area has caused erosion up to half a metre deep in places and extensive root damage to mature Koala food trees.
What action can you take?
Illegal mountain biking can be reported to the BCC Call Centre 24/7 on 07 3403 8888
Please be careful about approaching riders by yourself. These riders are already acting illegally and we have had a number of reports recently of community members being subjected to aggressive and violent verbal abuse.
Track erosion
v
g
g
g
g
Roots damaged and under mined by erosion
g
Mount Gravatt Environment Group 
August 11, 2012 at 12:10 am
Great to see the council behind this- our environment is too precious to be damaged for the sake of a few thrills.
August 11, 2012 at 3:16 am
Yes it is great. However, we need long term community commitment/use of the Reserve to ensure Council can justify the ongoing allocation of money and personnel. We are currently preparing a grant application to develop more self-guided walks in the bush. If the number of walkers using existing tracks increases that will automatically reduce damageing behaviour as well as providing evidence of community value from investment in Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve.
Michael Fox
August 17, 2012 at 9:13 pm
[…] Downhill Mountain Biking, Trail Bikes & Unofficial Tracks […]
September 28, 2012 at 4:23 am
Maybe the mountain bikers like the outdoors and want to look after their health by staying physically active.
February 18, 2013 at 10:09 am
Society these days is a joke, no riding bikes through a bush?!?! Your ancestors would be laughing at you… Might want to sell your car, never use public transport, walk everywhere you need to go from now on, and grow everything you consume…. your actions of daily living are chewing up the environment more than my mountain bike tyres…. Not to mention the cost of health support you are going to need from over consumption and lack of fitness. Keep picking up sticks and whinging about it. May your air conditioned home keep you warm at night.
May 7, 2018 at 11:30 am
It’s actually a joke that erosion damages the bush – ruts in the dirt don’t affect plant or animal life. Get a grip