In this issue:
Areas:
Kwinana grant plan rejected
Lancelin bombing range
Trail bike parks open for Easter
Advocacy:
Mundaring Community Forum
Strategy Back in Parliament
Events:
Pre 85 MX Day
Junior Skills Day
Ride Parks open at Easter
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Helping to save your riding areas
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Dear {tag_recipientfirstname},
Getting the bike preparation finished? Back into training for the riding season ahead? Building up that bank of brownie points that you know you're going to need?
Well take a few minutes to catch up with what's been happening and is about to happen for the sustainable future of trail bike riding. Read on ...
Mundaring Trail Bike Forum
More than 90 riders, local residents, politicans and government execs crammed the meeting room at the Shire of Mundaring to hear and voice frustrations about issues relating to trail bike use in the Shire.
The meeting was remarkable for the unity between riders, walkers, mountain bikers and the Mundaring Shire - all of whom agreed that the current situation was untenable and that the State Trail Bike Strategy provided the best way forward for a sustainable solution.
RTRA will be looking to leverage the support expressed at the Forum to up the pressure on the state government.
State Trail Bike Strategy back in Parliament
Speaking of pressure on the government...
The strategy will again be raised in Parliament
during the Private Members' Business session on Wednesday 23rd March at
4.00pm. A number of Opposition (and we hope Government) MPs are
expected to voice support for the Strategy and call for its
implementation.
Any RTRA members who are available are encouraged to be in the Public
Gallery for this session, as we are informed that public interest in
these matters can make a difference to the debate.
Lancelin Firing Range
The Defence Force has notified us of two periods of artillery activity on the Lancelin Defence Training Area during April.
- April 14-17
- April 29 - May 1 (Live Ammunition)
Riders are advised to avoid the area during these periods.
Wyaralong announces Operators
Operators have been announced for the Wyaralong Trail Bike Park to be developed in Queensland. Motorcycling Queensland will lead a consortium including Ray Buchanan and Crusty Demon, Matt Schubring to develop and run the park as a commercial operation. The Queensland government will fund the initial development and will lease the facility to the new consortium.
We'll be following this project closely to see just how much of the pent-up demand for riding opportunities in the region this facility will satisfy.
Congratulations Tanya!
RTRA member, Tanya Mauk, has won the Trailzone 'Choose your Ride' competition.
Faced with a choice that included seven of the most popular modern dirt bikes from BMW, Husaberg, Husqvarna, KTM, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha, Tanya (apparently without hesitation) chose the new Husaberg 300 two stroke.
Onya Tanya!
Kwinana Rejects Grant Fund Application
This month RTRA approached the Town of Kwinana to support a grant application to fund improvements to the Kwinana Off Road Vehicle Area. The submission was to seek funding to develop junior trails like those successfully created at Pinjar.
Unfortunately the application could not proceed because the Town of Kwinana would not support it, and the support of the local council was a mandatory element of the particular grant sought.
In May 2009 the Town of Kwinana sought assistance from the State Government for the area, which is the only such facility south of the river. They are still waiting for a response.
Pilot Trail Bike Trail Still Awaiting Approval
The long-running saga of the approval to develop a Pilot trail bike trail appears to be coming to a conclusion.
The delay has been caused by DEC applying rigorous processes to the approval; mainly so that they can demonstrate to any potential objectors that the appropriate evaluations were undertaken.
A dieback study has been commissioned and completed, and the final stage is a flora survey which should be complete within the next couple of weeks.
While the delays have been frustrating we fully appreciate DEC's approach to this and would much rather have the delays now than put the project at risk later on.
National Tracks and Trails Conference
 For the second successive conference, trail bikes will again be on the agenda at the National Tracks and Trails Conference to be held in Sydney in April, with RTRA President, Steve Pretzel invited to deliver a presentation.
While we have our frustrations in the West we are still considered progressive compared with states like Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. The conference gives those people wrestling with similar issues around the country to get together and compare strategies.
Stolen Bikes Register
 Quote: "A Facebook group created to help those that have been affected by low life pieces of shit in this world that steal dirt bikes. And to get the word out to try and recover our rides in one piece [and] have the thieving maggots brought to justice."
What more can we say ...
Bike Parks Open at Easter
 West Coast Trail Bike Park at Kirup will be open over the Easter and Anzac day weekends. Lots of work has been done over the summer break and this venue is ideal for kids.
West MotoPark will also be open. Big open flowing circuits ideal for quads.
Got an Oldie?
The Pre 85 MX Club is holding a 'Come and Try' vintage riding Sunday on 26 March at Stockton Park Collie. MX bikes built prior to December 85 are welcome. Contact pre85mxwa@westnet.com.au or Paul on 0407 369 930.
Got a Young 'un?
The highly successful T&E Junior Off Road Riding Event series kicks off on April 16 with a Riding Skills day. For details contact winton@iinet.net.au or see www.trailandenduro.com.au/JORE
Is your Membership current?
Not sure if your membership is still current? You can now check your renewal date online.
Just login to the RTRA web site using your member details shown above. The renewal date will be shown along with your current contact details.
If your renewal is due you can renew by clicking the Membership Renewals link.
Spread the Word
The more members we have, the more we can achieve. If you have riding buddies who are not yet members of the RTRA, forward them this email and give them a prod to join up.
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