BRIDLEWAYS Convenors and committee members, past and present, have had extensive dealings with DOC and local authorities. While it is not possible for the Convenor to travel to other parts of the country to lobby on your behalf, there are several other ways we may be able to help.
We can:
* possibly put you in touch with someone local who can lobby for you
* write submissions in support of your application
* offer advice on how to proceed
* where applicable, give you a detailed report on what other members have done in other
parts of the country in similar circumstances.
SOME GENERAL TIPS:
Keep a watch on your local paper in the section for Council notices. This is where you may get the first indication that land is going to be closed to riders for whatever reason.
Be prepared to attend Council meetings to put forward your requirements. Councils often assume that no-one is interested if no-one fronts up to put their point of view - it may be a case of the squeaky wheel getting the oil!
Consider joining forces with other interest groups. Councils (and DOC) often seem to think that walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders are completely incompatible. In actual fact, you will find that nearly all your requirements are the same, and that with reasonable consideration all can use the same facilities with little difficulty. Use the "BRIDLEWAYS TREKKING CODE" leaflet to emphasise this.
Councils also take the view that the moment horse riders are allowed into a reserve they will overrun the place, destroy the tracks and harass walkers - councils need to be reminded that there are not that many horse riders, and most of them do not ride their horses like trail bikes!
In an area where several different grops are using the facilities, it pays to have a notice informing people that walkers, mountain bikes, horse riders, and whatever, are allowed access. This will avoid, for instance, walkers being upset by encountering riders unexpectedly, and warns riders to look out for mountain bikes. A "BRIDLEWAYS" sign may be appropriate too.
