In Derby (a mountain bike destination that was used as an example of how good the Project would be for Warburton) there are many complaints about the tourists which include ‘campers and their practices along the river and in the park, fires, excessive rubbish, thefts, animal safety, misuse of the footpaths, parking issues and more.’
These photos were snapped on 28th October, 2018, in Warburton, of tourists camping by the Yarra River shows that it is already happening here – although these are just a few and not much trouble yet, but how many more will do this when the Mountain Bike Destination has been built? :
Current Problems with Tourists
The tourism from the Mountain Bike Destination will be in addition to the tourism that is already a burden on our area.
This includes road bikes, trail bikes and bikes that use our rail trails in addition to Mountain Bikers.
Rail Trail Bike Tourists:
- clog roads and trails by riding abreast
- camp in no camping areas
- Pass too close to walkers on the Rail Trail and aqueduct: especially distressing to the elderly and disabled, women with young children and dog owners–sometimes causing an accident
- often do not ring their bell or call out before reaching the walker to warn them
- ringing or calling out right at the walkers elbow
- spook horses
- turn the blind corner at Millgrove on the wrong side of the path endangering others coming the other way
- use flashing lights on their helmets at dusk which are dangerous to epileptics who could be left having an epileptic fit on a near empty trail at dusk without help (solid beam lights are okay).
Rethink Warburton Mountain Bike Destination 