Campaigners, including CTC and a recently formed consortium of representatives from the mountain bike community called the MTB Advocacy Group see this as having great potential for off-road cycling in Wales.
The Welsh Government has ensured the emphasis of the consultation is on "providing easy and affordable access to quality local green space and outdoor recreation activities close to where people live."
CTC and the MTB Advocacy Group believe this will only be achieved with a root and branch reform of the current access settlement, an opportunity which the consultation presents. The MTB Access Group believes that off-road cyclists need to seize this opportunity for their advantage, saying: "On previous occasions where [access] has been debated, there's been plenty of representation from landowners, walkers, fishermen and horse riders, but little or none from mountain bikers."
Current legislative framework predates mountain biking, and with the consultation there is a possibility of a refresh which will represent the needs and requirements of today's outdoor enthusiast. Importantly, a successful outcome for off-road cycling in Wales will help frame the debate on future access issues across the UK.
Following on from the Active Travel Wales Act this green paper provides another opportunity to realise the ambition of the First Minister Carwyn Jones to make Wales a cycling nation."
Gwenda Owen
Chair of CTC's Strategy and Policy Board
Gwenda Owen, CTC Trustee and Chair of CTC's Strategy and Policy Committee, sees the consultation's focus on creating "easy affordable access" as a key means to address social deprivation in Wales and the lack of access to green spaces. Also, with waistbands ever expanding, by making the outdoors more accessible and enjoyable, any subsequent increase in physical activity will help tackle the growing obesity crisis which besets the UK.
The MTB Advocacy Group and CTC will be submitting an in depth response to the consultation in due course, but also would encourage all cyclists who enjoy outdoor access to submit their views.
Comments
I am reasonably well plugged
I am reasonably well plugged in to the Welsh muntain biking scene and have never heard of the "MTB Advocacy Group". I would be interested to find out who they claim to speak for, and from where they claim representative legitimacy.
Hi Greyspoke, They're a
Hi Greyspoke,
They're a recently formed group from across the UK, including Wales of like minded individuals, who approached CTC to work with us in the off-road arena.
If you send an email to campaigns[at]ctc.org.uk with any further specific questions you might have I can look to put you in touch.
Sam
Thanks Sam. What I want to
Thanks Sam. What I want to know is whether or not they have a public face and composition, or are intending (before the deadline for responses to the consultation) to have one. And related to that a question for the CTC. Is it appropriate for a public organisation like the CTC to work with a private and (so far as the public are concerned) anonymous organisation on a matter such as this. I am sure a group of interested people could be put together from amongst CTC membership and contacts in a more public-facing way. I am responding on this discussion thread rather than by a private message because, as you can see, my concern is largely about transparency.
I am not suggesting that a public forum is the place for the detailed assembly of a submission to the consultation, that would probably not work so well.
As you can appreciate they
As you can appreciate they are a new group and still finding their feet. I am sure they would welcome input from CTC membership.
I know they are setting up their website at the moment, and have just announced their launch publically: http://www.ibikeride.com/news/2754-introducing-open-mtb-the-new-english-...
Please do get in touch with them.