Intermediate (blue) Shared-Use Trails

Extract(s) from Zone 2 Trail Plan

Prepared by:

Community & Information Services

February 2008

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SHARED USE

In May 2007 the City of Mitcham endorsed the MTB Policy and MTB Code of Practice which outlines the protocols and principles of rider behavior and sustainable MTB management within Mitcham. A major factor in the development and management of sustainable MTBing opportunities is the identification of shared use trails and trail classifications. Shared use trails are proposed in areas where sight lines are long and where a trail of reasonable width can be created to provide safe passing of trail users and will reflect the current best practice guidelines and standards including the Draft SA Recreational Trail Manual, SA MTB Trail classifications standards; and international trail design standards. An essential component in developing successful shared use trails is building a positive trail ethic around respect and appropriate behavior amongst trail users. Council will facilitate this behavior via signage and the City of Mitcham Website which outlines a code of ‘yield’ whereby cyclists must give way to walkers and volunteers and warn them of their approach. This aspect of trail development is the one that causes the most fear and anxiety from land managers and Local Government representatives. There is a perceived fear among the community about the risks associated with bikes and walkers on the same trails. However, international evidence suggests in regard to legal trail networks that the perception that bike riders will ‘run-over’ walkers, cause accidents and scare people, is unfounded. Cessford (20021) has suggested that the walkers who fear riders the most on shared use trails, are the walkers who have not yet met a cyclist on the trail. The above suggests that with appropriate planning, risk assessments and signage it is acceptable and realistic for the City of Mitcham to propose the inclusion of shared use trails within not only Zone 2 but also the remaining Zones.

SINGLE USE AND SINGLE DIRECTION TRAILS

To cater for experiences that many trail users desire, some trails will be reserved for specific purposes such as walking or riding only trails. These trails will be incorporated into the trail network and signposted accordingly. International, national and state examples from various trail networks have demonstrated that different trail user groups gravitate to the trails designed to cater for them (IMBA 2004). Thus Council is proposing that adherence to trail use and direction is coerced through excellent trail design. These trails are a key component in the success of the proposed trail network as they will provide the experience that walker or riders desire. Moreover, single use trails allow specific design criteria to be applied to the trail to cater for the intended trail user group, which in turn facilitates the development of a more sustainable trail.

1 Cessford, G.R. 2002. Perception and Reality of Conflict: Walkers and Mountain Bikes on the Queen Charlotte Track in New Zealand.

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TRAIL CLASSIFICATIONS

The City of Mitcham MTB Strategy outlines trail classifications (Appendix C) that will be used on all Council MTB trails. The system of Green Circle, Blue Square, Black Diamond and Double Black Diamond system (illustrated below) is both internationally and nationally recognised and within SA is used for signage and mapping within Cudlee Creek Forest and Eagle MTB Park. Trail Classification System

Class 1: Green – Easy suitable for children, families, elderly, disabled, novices, social groups and others seeking a relatively short distance trail requiring a basic level of skill and fitness. Class 2: Blue – Intermediate suitable for individuals and social groups seeking a short to medium distance trail requiring a moderate level of skill and fitness Class 3: Black Diamond - Advanced suitable for individuals and social groups seeking a very challenging trail requiring a high level of skill, fitness and possibly endurance. Class 4: Double Black Diamond - Severe trails suitable for experienced Downhill riders who want an experience that is extreme in its nature and usually constructed with race events in mind.

Picture 1 (right) offers an example of the trail classification and signposting within Eagle Mountain Bike Park. The ‘Caution’ warns a cyclist that they are approaching a very challenging obstacle and that they should look at it before tackling it.

SIGNAGE

The development of the City of Mitcham Trail Signage System is to be initiated in the development of the Zone 2 Trails. The trail marker will effectively become the ‘branding’ of the City of Mitcham Trail Network. The trail signage for the City of Mitcham Trail Network will potentially require three levels of signage:

1. Trail markers 2. Trail totems 3. Trailhead signs

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Trail Markers The trail markers will be placed in locations where the ‘official’ trail seems vague and will be the primary means of negotiation. Picture 2 (right) illustrates a Trail Marker used within Eagle Mountain Bike Park trail network

Trail Totems Trail totems may contain trail names and directions at trail intersections to allow trail users to negotiate the trail network. Picture 3 (right) illustrates a Trail Totem used within the Mawson Trail Network at Cudlee Creek Forest

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Trailhead The Trailhead signs will detail the trail network, conditions of use, where to report maintenance issues, how to get involved in volunteer programs and the correct code of conduct when using the trails. The Trailhead signs will also provide a description of the ‘trail classifications’ so the trail users are fully aware of the nature and difficulty of these trails. Pictures 4 and 5 (below) illustrate a Trailhead for the Mt Crawford: Cudlee Creek Forest.

Picture 4 Picture 5

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PROPOSED INTERMEDIATE TRAIL(S)

The proposed intermediate trails have been planned outside the existing Bush for Life sites and are designed to provide the sustainable trail experience that MTB riders seek. In most instances, these trails will be appropriate for shared use. The proposed intermediate trails are designed to provide a user friendly experience without major trail obstacles. These trails will provide a wide range of trail users with an appreciation of the Reserves and an opportunity to experience bush walking and MTBing in Australian Bush settings. The proposed intermediate trails are narrower trails than the Beginner trails, with a maximum trail tread width of a metre. This design is consistent with the guidelines of the IMBA Trail Classification system.

EXISTING INTERMEDIATE TRAIL(S)

User formed trails that are consistent with risk minimisation and sustainable design have been included into the trail network as intermediate trails. Significant portions of the existing trail network fit these criteria and add a great deal of trail to the network. Minor repairs and modifications are proposed on these trails using volunteer work crews to improve their long term sustainability. Figure 1 (below) illustrates the proposed and existing intermediate trails (proposed intermediate trails indicated by the dotted black line, existing intermediate trails indicated by the thick black line). It should be noted that all other trails irrespective of classification within Zone 2 are marked in white.

7 Figure 1 Proposed and Existing Intermediate Trails

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