With participation in mountain bike (MTB) riding as both a sport and a recreational activity increasing, and demand for suitable areas to ride growing, it is important to plan ahead in a sustainable way. Mountain biking also has the potential to provide tourism opportunities and economic development.

While Council provides for MTB riding on designated fire and management trails in some of its natural reserves, a number of unauthorised trails have also been constructed. The construction of unauthorised MTB trails poses environmental, heritage and reputational risk to Council in terms of legislation, community expectations and the experience of other reserve users. Unauthorised MTB trails may also pose a risk to riders where construction is poor or where the level of difficulty is unknown to the rider, as well as other reserve visitors.

There is currently no strategic framework for managing the rapidly increasing demand for mountain biking across the Central Coast. In light of this, we’re undertaking a Mountain Bike Feasibility Study, to gather some of the information required to inform a strategic framework.

By identifying the role that Council’s natural reserves may play in the provision of mountain biking experiences across the Central Coast, Council will be better able to protect areas of high conservation and heritage value, minimise the key drivers for the building of unauthorised trail construction and maximise the safe use of Council reserves by all visitors.

Between 5 June to 2 July 2019 we carried out initial public consultation to inform the feasibility study. We received 1949 survey responses and 25 targeted stakeholders attended at two face-to-face focus groups. We encouraged everyone to respond to the survey, including all community members and visitors, MTB riders, environmentalists and nature reserve visitors. A detailed review of the feedback we received is presented in the engagement report. This consultation helped us to understand community views, demand, utilisation, opportunities and risks for mountain biking on the Central Coast.

We recognise there are different views within the community on how to respond to the demand for mountain biking on the Central Coast, and that there are also some areas of agreement.

• 95% of survey respondents support (agree or strongly agree) continuing to allow MTBing where currently allowed (on some existing fire trails as shared use)
• 87% of survey respondents are concerned about lack of authorised trails for MTBing
• 75% of survey respondents are concerned about lack of clarity regarding which trails are authorised
• 52% of survey respondents are concerned about construction of unauthorised MTB trails

The Mountain Bike Feasibility Study Discussion Paper and Engagement Report present the findings of the feasibility study initiated by Central Coast Council in 2019. The Discussion Paper was informed by what the community and stakeholders told us during the first round of consultation.

For an overview of the information presented in the Discussion Paper please watch this video:

We consulted with the community on the Discussion Paper between 22 February 2021 and 22 March 2021.

We hosted drop-in information sessions for you to discuss the discussion paper with project officers in a virtual meeting.

A submit a questions tool was available for you to send in your questions and we responded to them on this page (scroll down to see what was submitted).

You could provide feedback via an online submission form, or by sending a submission via email.

We received a total of 245 guided submission forms, 43 emailed submissions, 62 petition/generic emailed submissions and 32 emails providing feedback.

A consultation report has been prepared.

We have considered the feedback from our community and existing Council resources and made several recommendations to Council to support sustainable mountain biking on the Central Coast. These recommendations were considered at the Ordinary Council meeting of the 14 December 2021.

At the meeting of Council on the 14 December 2021 Council decided to implement the following items to support mountain biking on the Coast:

1. Development of a Mountain Biking Plan
2. Continue education, enforcement and trail closures

Council recognises that the Mountain Bike Feasibility Study Discussion Paper was important in identifying the concerns of those in the community regarding balancing the protection of the environment with the growing popularity of the sport and the benefits it can bring to the region.

Mountain biking has positive benefits for the health and wellbeing of many groups within the community, however it is important that as a community we look to reduce the number of unauthorised trails that can potentially compromise natural environments and heritage sites. Council and the community will need to work collaboratively toward implementing more sustainable mountain biking practices, whilst still encouraging locals to participate in the sport.

A further report on the building of dirt jumps on council owned land that looks at the feasibility of doing so, along with associated issues including health, safety and environmental concerns will be reported back to Council at a later date.

To find the Mountain Bike Park click here and for a Council managed skate park or BMX track near you, click here