The Blue Mountains Cycling Safety Forum Inc. is a Bicycle User Group (BUG) affiliated with Bicycle NSW. Members and supporters include both on and off-road cyclists and active transport commuters who share a commitment to access to safe cycling infrastructure and improved cycling amenity in the Blue Mountains and surrounding areas.

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As cycling in the Blue Mountains becomes more popular the need for improved cycling infrastructure is ever more pressing. Cycling has environmental, health and economic and social benefits and its participation should be supported by government at all levels by improving and constructing safe places and destinations where people want to ride. The Blue Mountains has a lot to offer on and off-road cyclists for recreation, transport and tourism and sustainable development of cycling will also generate economic growth.

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Government has finite resources that must be allocated in the public interest – and which benefit community as a whole. The cycling community in the Blue Mountains and surrounding regions is well place to assist government make decisions in how best to allocate resources to efficiently, effectively and economically advance the environmental, health, economic and social benefits of cycling.  To be effective, however, cyclists must organise for a stronger voice to achieve these outcomes.

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The BMCSF recognises the following principals to assist prioritise and organise projects for the community:

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• Ensure Cycling initiatives are based on sound evidence

• Prioritise cost effective solutions

• Deliver in collaboration with partners

• Support a culture of cycling for transport

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Understanding the different responsibilities of government for road and trail infrastructure in the Blue Mountains

 

The following government agencies manage public land upon which cyclists ride in the Blue Mountains:

 

• The Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC): Responsible for the local road network (as road authority under the Roads Act 1993) and council managed Crown land (under the Crown Land Management Act 2016). BMCC's governance and establishment legislation is the Local Government Act 1993. This legislation also sets out how it must classify and manage public land under its control (ie. as community land or operational land) and the processes for community engagement. Its planning and assessment functions are set out in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

• TfNSW: Responsible for the State road network, including the Great Western Highway and Hawkesbury Road.

• National Parks and Wildlife Service: Responsible for National Parks and Nature Reserves that are regulated under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. NPWS functions are administered within the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE).

• Crown Lands: Administers Crown land under Crown Land Management Act 2016 (not managed by the BMCC or other land managers). The Minister for responsible for the Crown Land Management Act has appointed BMCC to manage certain Crown lands in the Blue Mountains. Crown Lands functions are administered within DPIE.

• Water NSW: Responsible for the water catchment areas under the Water NSW Act 2014. Note: cycling is generally prohibited in the special areas within the catchment.

• Rural Fire Service: Has broad powers and responsibilities under the Rural Fire Service Act to require the establishment of fire trails on public land, set standards for building of fire trails and also how they are maintained.

• Forestry Corporation: Is a State Owned Corporation (SOC) established under the Forestry Act 2012. It is responsible for trails and access to the Newnes State Forest.

• Commonwealth Department of Defence: Some public land (including open space) is owned by the Commonwealth in the Blue Mountains in connection with defence activities, including on and near the Glenbrook RAAF base. The Federal Government is a major source of funding for upgrades to the Great Western Highway.

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Office Holders

David Tritton, President*

Paul Freeman, Secretary and Treasurer

 

Committee Members (as from AGM 28/10/21)

Clive Bradshaw

Michelle Williams

Stephen Tomczyk

Damien Mah

Scott Telfer

Kirsten Velthuis

Daniel Zanardo

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For Committee Inquiries, please  contact us by email:

bmcsf@bigpond.com

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*Public Officer for purpose of the Associations Incorporation Act

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(Copyright) Blue Mountains Cycling Safety Form Inc. 2021

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Top Photo: Grose Head South - Towards Mt Banks and Mt Tomah by David Tritton 2019 on MTB

Right Photo: Faulconbridge Point - Looking East at sunset - by David Tritton 2020 on MTB