Restoration lined up to address informal bike jumps

THE Borough of Queenscliffe will soon undertake a full-scale restoration of the area’s Rip View Reserve, aiming to improve overall safety for residents and protect the reserve’s native vegetation from man-made bike obstacles.

“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,” the borough said in a statement.

“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.”

The borough confirmed it was working with Department of Transport and Planning and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to work on creating a new bike park for the community.

Home to a significant amount of the region’s coastal moonah, The Rip View Reserve is protected by legislation.

“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,” the borough stated.

“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.”

The borough also noted riders in the area can often cause damage to trees, tree roots, plants and grassed surfaces by creating informal bike jumps.

Once restored, the reserve will be revegetated.