https://coastcommunitynews.com.au/central-coast/news/2021/03/cen-asks-residents-to-put-biodiversity-before-bikes/ Independent News - Central Coast, NSW Australia Wed, 10 Mar 2021 22:10:26 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.14 https://coastcommunitynews.com.au/central-coast/news/2021/03/cen-asks-residents-to-put-biodiversity-before-bikes/#comment-407 Wed, 10 Mar 2021 22:10:26 +0000 https://coastcommunitynews.com.au/?p=44303#comment-407 CEN, since I became aware of them via their FB page, is a highly divisive, narrow-minded group. Publishing an article like this is buying into their political narrative and outrageous claims regarding mountain bicycling. Use of the word ‘bike’ is misleading your non-cycling readers into thinking that this is about fossil-fueled motorbikes. It is not. It is about bicycles and the bicycle is the most environmentally friendly, human-powered conveyance in the world- consequently mountain bicycling is now the largest land-based outdoor recreation in the world. I fail to see how any group which is genuinely concerned about the local natural environments, climate change and the like- could so vehmently oppose anything to do with a bicycle. The image you have published is the property of CCMTB and it is completely out of context to this debate, nor is it representative of 95% those who ride mountain bicycles. Only 2% of all mountain bicyclists can ride like that, or even want to ride like that! All local riders are asking for is to be able to use their motor cars less, so that they can ride more and easily access public, difficulty graded trails to appreciate and link the vast tracts of scenic natural bush with their friends and families on their bicycles-from home. Did anyone from CEN leave their car at home today and cycle instead ?

]]> https://coastcommunitynews.com.au/central-coast/news/2021/03/cen-asks-residents-to-put-biodiversity-before-bikes/#comment-398 Mon, 08 Mar 2021 00:59:04 +0000 https://coastcommunitynews.com.au/?p=44303#comment-398 So they support it or they urge members to oppose it? I’m confused. How about you urge your members to consider it for themselves and talk to some mountain bikers instead. The environment is important, mountain bikers are a group that on large enjoy the environment and treat it with respect. We should encourage use of the outdoors and allow where appropriate for fun and engaging trails to be created, managed and enjoyed by all. Most importantly, enough with the tribalism on both sides! If you’re just arbitrarily opposing things or other peoples viewpoints (this is aimed at both sides) you are just part of the problem and the rest of us would benefit from you disengaging yourself from the process.

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