Unique forest trail for Perth's trail-bike riders

The Western Australia Government has entered into a unique partnership with local trail-bike riders to design an environmentally-sustainable trail in the forests south-east of Perth.
The partnership will also lead to the development of an education campaign aimed at reducing the impacts of trail-bike riding on the environment.
Announcing the funding for the project, WA Environment Minister Donna Faragher, said there were over 50,000 trail bikes in Western Australia, stating âconsequently there is an enormous demand for areas where these bikes can be ridden, especially near the Perth metropolitan area.
âWhile there are some designated off-road vehicle sites, many trail-bike users ride on forestry tracks, causing considerable damage and the risk of spreading diseases such as dieback.�?
The Minister said almost $57,910 would be provided to the Recreational Trailbike Ridersâ Association to design the trail and education campaign, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department of Water.
Minister Faragher added that the pilot trail would be built in the Flint forest block, south of the Brookton Highway and about 70 kilometres south-east of Perth.
âThis program aims to alert and educate riders about the impact of their riding and how they can minimise that impact.
âThe objective is to reduce the impacts of trail bike riding on the environment which will assist in ensuring the sustainability of this recreational activity.�?
Minister Faragher said the funding had been made available through the Liberal-National Governmentâs Environmental Community Grants program.
The program provides $6million across four years to community groups, individuals and local governments for on-the-ground environmental and conservation projects.