Council is soon to begin the process of restoring the Rip View reserve to improve safety for our community and protect our native vegetation.
We know that some members of the community have been using this area as an illegal bike park, and while we want to ensure everyone has the chance to be active and have fun, we also have a responsibility to keep everyone safe.
As a Council, we need to make sure that anything built on Council land is as safe and reliable as possible – for both the users and passers-by. When community members build their own jumps, we can't ensure that what has been built will be safe to use, either in the design or construction.
While most accidents on illegal bike parks usually end in a few scratches or perhaps a broken bone, there is a very real risk of serious bodily harm such as brain damage, loss of mobility and lifelong impacts. When it comes to jumps that haven't been designed by a professional, it doesn't matter how good of a bike rider you are – these accidents could happen to anyone.
Council is working with Department of Transport and Planning and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to create a new bike park for the community to enjoy biking activities safely.
Not only do we have a responsibility to protect our community, we also have a responsibility to protect our environment. Bike riders in the area often (unintentionally) cause damage to trees, tree roots, plants and grassed surfaces.
The Rip View reserve is home to Coastal Moonah woodland community protected by legislation, and we need to ensure we're doing everything we can to help our environment flourish.
Council will soon restore the area and begin the process of revegetation.
