A Dunedin mountain biking club is concerned after photos emerged of branches placed across a popular track at head height.
Mountain Biking Otago president Kristy Booth said the photos showed someone had deliberately sabotaged the Bethune's Gully trail.
Most of the branches were placed on the track, but some were at chest and head height.
''They've been placed there. They haven't accidentally fallen off trees and into those positions.
''For whatever the reason, whether that is the intent to cause injury to the riders or whether it is just to prevent people from riding, it really is irrelevant.
''The trails that we put there are put there for the benefit of the greater community, not just Mountain Biking Otago.
''All of our trails are for shared use. Walkers and runners can use them as well.
''You get one or two disgruntled people who have gone out and done this. I hope it's a one off and we don't see any more of it.''
An experienced Dunedin mountain biker, who declined to be named, said he used the track regularly, and the branches were an ''inconvenience'' rather than a danger.
''It would be an issue for lesser-skilled riders, but I wouldn't be too concerned about it.
''From what I saw, I don't think it's as serious as people are making out. It's annoying rather than dangerous.
''It's very unlikely someone would be impaled by one of the branches. You'd see them long before you got to them.
''It's all about riding within your ability. At any time, you should be able to stop within a reasonable distance.''
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What nonsense! There is no danger. You can walk, and leave your bike at the trailhead. There is really no good reason to allow bikes on trails.
Bicycles should not be allowed in any natural area. They are inanimate objects and have no rights. There is also no right to mountain bike. That was settled in federal court in 1996: http://mjvande.info/mtb10.htm . It's dishonest of mountain bikers to say that they don't have access to trails closed to bikes. They have EXACTLY the same access as everyone else -- ON FOOT! Why isn't that good enough for mountain bikers? They are all capable of walking....
A favorite myth of mountain bikers is that mountain biking is no more harmful to wildlife, people, and the environment than hiking, and that science supports that view. Of course, it's not true. To settle the matter once and for all, I read all of the research they cited, and wrote a review of the research on mountain biking impacts (see http://mjvande.info/scb7.htm ). I found that of the seven studies they cited, (1) all were written by mountain bikers, and (2) in every case, the authors misinterpreted their own data, in order to come to the conclusion that they favored.
Mike Vandeman is an anti-mountain bike activist from California. I do not think he has anything to add to this conversation. The land access laws in New Zealand are totally different to the US. The fact is, these tracks are on council property, with the knowledge and consent of DCC in accordance with the parks and recreation strategy. If people have an issue with that, they need to take it up with the DCC.