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Managing Risk in MTB Trail Centres - Workshop with Paul Hawkins

Join Paul Hawkins, Sustrans Area Manager, for a workshop on managing risk in mountain biking trail centres. Learn about best practices, trail design and construction, and the importance of a comprehensive management plan. This workshop is relevant for existing MTB site operators, potential developers, health and safety officers, and MTB trail-related businesses.

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Managing Risk in MTB Trail Centres - Workshop with Paul Hawkins

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  1. Workshop 1:Mountain biking • Paul Hawkins • Sustrans Area Manager (Devon, England) • Former Forestry Commission, 1 South West • Constructed 100km of Adventurous Cycle (MTB) Trails since 2010. Mainly blue grade, some red. Skills and pump tracks. • 3.5M miles ridden on these trails. • Public (FC, BCC) and Charitable Trust Ownership (NT, SWLT)

  2. Structure of Event: 20 mins          Presentation on Managing Risk in MTB Trail Centres 5 mins              Identify key question / discussion themes to maximise usefulness 20 mins Discussion and answering questions

  3. Who is here?: • Existing MTB site operators / managers / rangers / owners • Potential developers of a new MTB site • Health and Safety Officers • MTB trail related businesses / promoters

  4. Perceptions of Risk: Example 1: Outdoor centre. Rock climbing vs Horse riding. Can you guarantee children's safety? Example 2: Car travel. Most people have had a car accident. First assumption is driver error i.e. knock for knock. • Reality: • No claims against us in 3.5M miles, 12 sites. This is not complacency. • FC England has successfully contested any MTB claims in Paddy’s 13 years.

  5. Perceptions of Users (of themselves?): The image: The reality:

  6. In a Nutshell: Proven industry good practice is already available and in use in N.I. 1) Have a clear aim. ‘Paint a picture’. Stick to it. 2) Management Plan from outset. 3) Use existing best practice, consistently. 4) Trail Design. Competency. Query. 5) Trail Construction. Competency. CDM regs. Query. 6) Inspect, Record and Review.

  7. Aim - What are you trying to achieve? • Why are you considering MTB trails? • Income. Health. Image change. • Who is the target audience? • Families. Novices. Enthusiasts. Thrill-seekers. • Where are you based? • Close to urban: lots of ‘general’ users • lots of people to stumble upon your trails • Remote: need to draw people in • better informed visitors

  8. Management Plan: Share ownership of this from the start. 1) Map based discussions and plans. From concept onwards. Involve foresters, rec. staff etc. This is the start of your audit trail. 2) Look at emergency access plan and staff resource NOW. Will affect trail design brief. Involve emergency services. 3) Future staff resource. What is reasonable to ask of them? Staff inspecting need to be trained (1 day). Volunteers rarely replace staff role. 4) Realistic future maintenance budget?

  9. Trail Design and Construction: No industry qualification in trail design. Therefore check competency i.e. C.V. and references. Needs to comply with CDM regulations. Trail Section Design Sheets. NOT a black-art. Involve staff. Query everything. Specs in IMBA and Coillte Trail Design and Construction are not sufficient for a Bill of Quantities. Your greatest liability is to ‘other’ responsible users of the site.

  10. Audit trail: • Realistic inspection frequency from the outset. REVIEW. Do not fail to meet your own frequency. • Signage. Trail surface. Structure conditions. Desire lines. • Record the urgency of works required, and when these are rectified. • Ensure those inspecting are trained (CTC). Swap staff around. • Use technology i.e. camera & video. Ensure well filed. • Managers sit down periodically with staff to look at files, and identify any trends (black-spots?). REVIEW. • Process for post-accident, post-storms and post-ops.

  11. Claims: Have you been REASONABLE? Do not settle. Provide evidence that a process is in place, reviewed, and has been followed. Competent people employed at every stage. Paddy Harrop can discuss cases in a minute.

  12. The big WHY?: Best thing they have done professionally Obesity. Sofa culture. MTB brings genuine NEW people out into the countryside. Apathy. If countryside recreation doesn’t keep pace with social trends… future relevance?

  13. Paul.hawkins@sustrans.org.uk 07917 612782

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