Dirtbike trail use legality’s

madkiller

Hi ,

Wondering what restrictions are on dirtbikes for use on seemingly private trails such as forest trails people would usually walk on and beach’s can’t seem to find a clear answer anywhere. Say a forest trail has a gate to stop a car but a bike can easily slip through is this still prohibited?

iwillhtfu

Yes. You will see moto x bikes on some mountains and in forests but these are well off the beaten track and still not allowed to be there. Certainly don't bring a moto x bike on a walking trail that's just a stupid idea.

Can I use an off-road vehicle in Coillte forests?

No. Off-road vehicles are not allowed to be used in our forests and are currently banned under Coillte’s by-laws. Failure to comply with this can result in the seizure of your vehicle and a hefty fine.

Taken from here

https://www.coillte.ie/faqs/

TheBoyConor

Of course you can't. On seemingly private ground? Not unless you have the permission of the owner at least, no you cannot.

Anyone who thinks it is OK to tear around walking paths is of their heads.
What if you tear around a corner and hit a child? What will you do then?

Dirt bikes are an absolute scourge on forests and uplands in ireland. They destroy paths and dig up the ground letting erosion take hold. They make paths dangeorus for families out walking and they disturb wildlife and the tranquility of these usually quiet areas. Fellas think they have some sort of right to bring a dirtbike up the side of a mountain. It is incredibly rude and irresponsible.

Those things should be used used only on your own land, land of someone who has given you permission, or on a track intended for their use.

madkiller

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Yes. You will see moto x bikes on some mountains and in forests but these are well off the beaten track and still not allowed to be there. Certainly don't bring a moto x bike on a walking trail that's just a stupid idea.

Can I use an off-road vehicle in Coillte forests?

No. Off-road vehicles are not allowed to be used in our forests and are currently banned under Coillte’s by-laws. Failure to comply with this can result in the seizure of your vehicle and a hefty fine.

Taken from here

https://www.coillte.ie/faqs/

Perfect mate cheers

H_Lime

Or go when there's no one there;)

Del2005

There is very few places to legally use a motor vehicle off road and most of them are private businesses doing their it on their own property. I'd like if we did it like the USA some places are for vehicles and others are totally prohibited for vehicles, but no in Ireland its ban ban ban

BarryD2

H_Lime wrote: »

Or go when there's no one there;)

? Always a good chance of people about, never mind tearing up the ground. Live and let live is the best motto but trail bikes should best stick to private land with owners permission and/or dedicated tracks/ facilities.

H_Lime

Yes, live and let live:)

TheBoyConor

the reason they are banned is because they cause massive damage to paths and land. My family have land near a scenic mountain area and bikes have some paths absolutely cut to pieces and extensive erosion is visible in other areas.

We have had fences and boundaries damaged and my father had to run them out of the place on a number of occasions. they were using the passage to access the mountain.

None of these characters would be anywhere to be seen if any of the damage to be fixed needed to be paid for.

I agree with them being banned. I think they have no place in public amenity areas. People should confine their use to their own land or tracks intended for that use and not be inflicting it on the public or other landowners.

And again, a lot of these areas are public amenities and accessible for walkers etc. Are these contraptions insured? What if they hit someone and cause an injury or worse with their reckless stunts. And from what I have seen that is exactly what goes on. reckless speeding and messing by young men and teenagers.

BarryD2

TheBoyConor wrote: »

the reason they are banned is because they cause massive damage to paths and land. My family have land near a scenic mountain area and bikes have some paths absolutely cut to pieces and extensive erosion is visible in other areas.

We have had fences and boundaries damaged and my father had to run them out of the place on a number of occasions. they were using the passage to access the mountain.

None of these characters would be anywhere to be seen if any of the damage to be fixed needed to be paid for.

I agree with them being banned. I think they have no place in public amenity areas. People should confine their use to their own land or tracks intended for that use and not be inflicting it on the public or other landowners.

And again, a lot of these areas are public amenities and accessible for walkers etc. Are these contraptions insured? What if they hit someone and cause an injury or worse with their reckless stunts. And from what I have seen that is exactly what goes on. reckless speeding and messing by young men and teenagers.

You have my full sympathy - these recreational scramblers and quads should be seized if they are loose on private land without permission or public land. Ditto for feckers on those jet skis that blast up and down the shorelines of lakes.

On other hand, there are farmers that use quads etc., to get about to check stock. That's fair enough especially for those getting on in years.

Interceptor

BarryD2 wrote: »

On other hand, there are farmers that use quads etc.

Farmers on quads should have registration, insurance and be legally required to wear helmets. Far too many of these toolbags bumbling around on public roads with insufficient attention to their surroundings. Live and let live, the same rules must apply to everybody.

Mjolnir

madkiller wrote: »

Hi ,

Wondering what restrictions are on dirtbikes for use on seemingly private trails such as forest trails people would usually walk on and beach’s can’t seem to find a clear answer anywhere. Say a forest trail has a gate to stop a car but a bike can easily slip through is this still prohibited?

Unless its on private land with express consent of the owner, mechanically propelled vehicles need a registration, to be taxed and insured.
Most of those bikes can't be registered, taxed or insured for use on the roads.
After what happened to that poor fella in the park I wouldn't want to be involved in an accident while riding one on a beach. Currently it's a legal grey area expect it to change. Injure someone though and you'll be held liable.
If ya want to ride find a track, or private land. If not do like the rest of us and just ride road bikes, Irelands not an incredibly bike friendly country.

Mjolnir

Interceptor wrote: »

Farmers on quads should have registration, insurance and be legally required to wear helmets. Far too many of these toolbags bumbling around on public roads with insufficient attention to their surroundings. Live and let live, the same rules must apply to everybody.

Legally 100% are obliged to if on a public road, but when have they ever done as they're supposed to.

Del2005

TheBoyConor wrote: »

I agree with them being banned. I think they have no place in public amenity areas. People should confine their use to their own land or tracks intended for that use and not be inflicting it on the public or other landowners.

And again, a lot of these areas are public amenities and accessible for walkers etc. Are these contraptions insured? What if they hit someone and cause an injury or worse with their reckless stunts. And from what I have seen that is exactly what goes on. reckless speeding and messing by young men and teenagers.

You can cycle on most public land and there's a good few tracks for them, they travel as fast downhill as a scrambler but don't make any noise or have insurance what happens when they hit someone?

Why are bicycles allowed on public lands, along with publicly funded tracks being built for them, and not scramblers? At least start dedicating areas for vehicular usage and then clamp down on usage everywhere else?

Mjolnir

Del2005 wrote: »

You can cycle on most public land and there's a good few tracks for them, they travel as fast downhill as a scrambler but don't make any noise or have insurance what happens when they hit someone?

Why are bicycles allowed on public lands, along with publicly funded tracks being built for them, and not scramblers? At least start dedicating areas for vehicular usage and then clamp down on usage everywhere else?

Because to be in a public area mechanically propelled vehicles need to be taxed, registered and insured.
A free wheeling bike which weighs a fraction of the weight won't do as much damage as a driven wheel will.
They hit someone and hurt or kill them same thing happens as someone riding a dirt bike, civil case and possibly criminal if bad enough.
Answer to the dedicated areas is simple, Ireland isn't bike friendly.

I ride but bikes have no place in areas like beaches or forests, it's bad enough riding on the road here. Remember people step out in front of us on roads they'll 100% do it anywhere else.

Mjolnir

Del2005 wrote: »

You can cycle on most public land and there's a good few tracks for them, they travel as fast downhill as a scrambler but don't make any noise or have insurance what happens when they hit someone?

Why are bicycles allowed on public lands, along with publicly funded tracks being built for them, and not scramblers? At least start dedicating areas for vehicular usage and then clamp down on usage everywhere else?

Because to be in a public area mechanically propelled vehicles need to be taxed, registered and insured.
A free wheeling bike which weighs a fraction of the weight won't do as much damage as a driven wheel will.
They hit someone and hurt or kill them same thing happens as someone riding a dirt bike, civil case and possibly criminal if bad enough.
Answer to the dedicated areas is simple, Ireland isn't bike friendly.

I ride but bikes have no place in areas like beaches or forests, it's bad enough riding on the road here. Remember people step out in front of us on roads they'll 100% do it anywhere else.

listermint

Del2005 wrote: »

You can cycle on most public land and there's a good few tracks for them, they travel as fast downhill as a scrambler but don't make any noise or have insurance what happens when they hit someone?

Why are bicycles allowed on public lands, along with publicly funded tracks being built for them, and not scramblers? At least start dedicating areas for vehicular usage and then clamp down on usage everywhere else?

Or don't buy a poxy bike unless you have access to somewhere that you have permission on.

Wanderer78

I personally think appropriate facilities should be built for such activities, it looks like great fun, but since theres very few facilities around the country, this introduces problems, lads end up in places that are simply inappropriate and dangerous for all. We ll never be able to stop people from engaging in these activities, and why should we, but we need to make it safe for everyone.

Oh and riders, if you discover trails that seem to have been built for other purposes such as mountain biking, walking etc, please stay off them, as your bikes can absolutely annihilate these trails, and can make them unusable for their intended purposes. A lot of hard work goes into creating and maintaining these trails, a single passing of a trail bike can completely annihilate a trail, making it unusable, sometimes indefinitely. Thank you, and have fun

listermint

Wanderer78 wrote: »

I personally think appropriate facilities should be built for such activities, it looks like great fun, but since theres very few facilities around the country, this introduces problems, lads end up in places that are simply inappropriate and dangerous for all. We ll never be able to stop people from engaging in these activities, and why should we, but we need to make it safe for everyone.

Oh and riders, if you discover trails that seem to have been built for other purposes such as mountain biking, walking etc, please stay off them, as your bikes can absolutely annihilate these trails, and can make them unusable for their intended purposes. A lot of hard work goes into creating and maintaining these trails, a single passing of a trail bike can completely annihilate a trail, making it unusable, sometimes indefinitely. Thank you, and have fun

Was with you until you said why should we stop people doing it without permission.

I'd imagine if you lived besides a frequented trail youd be on here posting a very different opinion tbf.

Wanderer78

listermint wrote:

I'd imagine if you lived besides a frequented trail youd be on here posting a very different opinion tbf.

Probably, but I have been negatively impacted by the use of these bikes as well, I'm obviously a trail builder, and some of the biggest problems we ve encountered, and still do, is trail riders, some simply have no respect, not just for trail builders, but for other users, including locals. I can completely understand where you're coming from, I regularly talk to locals negatively impacted by this, they also enjoy the use of the trails we continually create, many offering help, these trail bikes drive them insane, but I still believe facilities need to be created for them, attempts of blocking them, simply won't work.

listermint

Build trails for them and I can guarantee youll still have half riding other areas that's just people.

Provision doesn't work in isolation you need enforcement too.

H_Lime

Wanderer78

listermint wrote:

Build trails for them and I can guarantee youll still have half riding other areas that's just people.

You re probably right here also, baring in mind, us mountain bikers are doing the exact same thing, our trails are illegally built, everyone knows this, including the rangers, but this has never been a problem, as we are very particular when designing and building trails, always keeping in mind other users, particularly pedestrians, and the land of course. It is possible to create trails that are fun for users and keeps everyone safe as possible, it just requires creativity and awareness of the needs of others, particularly pedestrians, who can be very vulnerable in such circumstances. Trail bikes are another story though, with a different set of problems, but I do believe it's possible to create a happy medium for all, as we do.

listermint wrote:

Provision doesn't work in isolation you need enforcement too.

Yup, I do think trail bikes need enforcement, but the same could be said for mountain bikes to, a collision with a mountain bike could mean severe injury or death, but I'd class trail bikes as being more dangerous, but that could be debated.

H_Lime

BropBropBropBrop:o

Wanderer78

H_Lime wrote: »

BropBropBropBrop:o

funnily enough, this isnt exactly maturity in how to engage in this issue, you may not be helping yourself, im all for the fun, but.....

TheBoyConor

To those saying that "oh trails should be built so we can ride our motorbikes legally".
You hardly expect the tax payer to spend the very significant amount of cash this would need just to entertain a niche hobby do you? That will NEVER happen! Not for this.

However, there is absolutely nothing stopping you and your team bike friends from clubbing together, buying done land and getting planning permission, and design and build such a facility.
Nothing legally or in theory to stop that.

In practice tho, it will be difficult and expensive to get planning, insurance will be an issue, and there will be objections.

The same can be said for people who say that "they" should build tracks for sulky racers. Who is "they". The coounty council? Lol. Luxurious, why would they. It is the sulky crowd who should develop it. But they won't, because they couldn't care less and they are happy to flout the law and takeover motorways because there is no consequences for them monster what they do

Wanderer78

TheBoyConor wrote: »

To those saying that "oh trails should be built so we can ride our motorbikes legally".
You hardly expect the tax payer to spend the very significant amount of cash this would need just to entertain a niche hobby do you? That will NEVER happen! Not for this.

However, there is absolutely nothing stopping you and your team bike friends from clubbing together, buying done land and getting planning permission, and design and build such a facility.
Nothing legally or in theory to stop that.

In practice tho, it will be difficult and expensive to get planning, insurance will be an issue, and there will be objections.

a great idea but insurance is a disaster, and is getting worse, the legal mountain biking world is slowly shutting down because of this, which will more than likely force activities more so into the illegal world

Markcheese

I assume you'd need planning if your going to charge for trail use , not sure if a club would need it ..,ironically you'd probably need really good fencing to keep pedestrians out ..
The noise would drive me nuts if I lived near one though ...
Are there electric trail bikes available ??

Wanderer78

Markcheese wrote: »

I assume you'd need planning if your going to charge for trail use , not sure if a club would need it ..,ironically you'd probably need really good fencing to keep pedestrians out ..
The noise would drive me nuts if I lived near one though ...
Are there electric trail bikes available ??

planning, insurance, you name it....

there are electric road bikes, so id imagine theres electric trail bikes to, the road bikes look like the job, very powerful to, guy martin has been blown away by the electric road bikes

Emmersonn

Wanderer78 wrote: »

funnily enough, this isnt exactly maturity in how to engage in this issue, you may not be helping yourself, im all for the fun, but.....

For !!!!!!! sake lighten up and head off to the cycling forum :rolleyes: Us motorcyclists understand exactly the dangers of our mode of transport both to ourselves and others.

Wanderer78

Emmersonn wrote: »

For !!!!!!! sake lighten up and head off to the cycling forum :rolleyes:

again lads, you re really not helping yourselves here, you re rubbing people up the wrong way, you potentially could be setting yourselves up for further restrictions, im all for the laugh, but...

iwillhtfu

Emmersonn wrote: »

For !!!!!!! sake lighten up and head off to the cycling forum :rolleyes: Us motorcyclists understand exactly the dangers of our mode of transport both to ourselves and others.

Yet there's a small minority that do know as you say but couldn't give a **** so unfortunately they have to legislate for the assholes that couldn't give a **** and this affects everyone. This isn't rocket science :rolleyes:

Emmersonn

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Yet there's a small minority that do know as you say but couldn't give a **** so unfortunately they have to legislate for the assholes that couldn't give a **** and this affects everyone. This isn't rocket science :rolleyes:

Legislation is not the answer to as$holes conduct. As€holes are in all walks of life and will continue to flaunt rules. Even today there are groups of more than 4 people not observing social distancing.

iwillhtfu

Emmersonn wrote: »

Legislation is not the answer to as$holes conduct. As€holes are in all walks of life and will continue to flaunt rules. Even today there are groups of more than 4 people not observing social distancing.

There is no alternative to be fair. As you rightly point out they can't police social distancing so no chance of policing randomers up in the mountains. If they wanted to catch lads though pic any mountain drive at the weekend and drive till you see a couple of vans often with random stickers and wait. Thankfully they aren't that eager though.

TheBoyConor

Markcheese wrote: »

I assume you'd need planning if your going to charge for trail use , not sure if a club would need it ..,ironically you'd probably need really good fencing to keep pedestrians out ..
The noise would drive me nuts if I lived near one though ...
Are there electric trail bikes available ??

Of course a club would need planning permission. I don't know why you'd think they wouldn't?

They would have to buy or lease land.

A planning application would absolutely be needed. that would need:
1.An engineer to do preliminary design of the whole layout, prepare the planning maps, drawings, forms etc.
2. Depending on location and scale, an ecologist to prepare the relevant environmental assessments and reports
3. given the nature of the facility, you'd probably have to include measures to limit erosion, noise, drainage, managing silt laden run off, measures to handle any fuel spill or fires.

Then if you get planning, you'd have to a detailed design which would have to
cover any conditions of the planning and all the usual things.

You'd have to fence off the site securely for sure.. You can't just have random people swanning in and out of a place like this when these death traps are flying around.

Then when you have all that you'd have get your insurance. Well really you should investigate get that in advance of getting planning because without it you are goosed. For to get insurance you'd probably have to satisfy very particular arrangements around fire safety, supervision, training and first aid.

And there will be objections. About noise, traffic to/from the track, environmental issues, and about concerns about antisocial behaviour and road safety in the vicinity. Nobody is going to want to live near one of these things. And going by the cavalier maverick attitudes of some on here, I wouldn't blame them.

It would definitely be an uphill and very expensive project to take on for a hobby.

Mjolnir

Wanderer78 wrote: »

a great idea but insurance is a disaster, and is getting worse, the legal mountain biking world is slowly shutting down because of this, which will more than likely force activities more so into the illegal world

Insurance would be a virtual non runner for motorbikes, look at how hard it is for licenced premises and creche ect to get insurance. You wouldn't believe the cost of nightclubs insurance if I told you.
Ultimately liability for a civil action will lay with the owner.
There's zero chance the government will open themselves up to such liability, and frankly you'd want to be slightly touched in the head to consider it as a viable business.

Wanderer78

Mjolnir wrote: »

Insurance would be a virtual non runner for motorbikes, look at how hard it is for licenced premises and creche ect to get insurance. You wouldn't believe the cost of nightclubs insurance if I told you.
Ultimately liability for a civil action will lay with the owner.
There's zero chance the government will open themselves up to such liability, and frankly you'd want to be slightly touched in the head to consider it as a viable business.

go on, humor us?

Del2005

TheBoyConor wrote: »

To those saying that "oh trails should be built so we can ride our motorbikes legally".
You hardly expect the tax payer to spend the very significant amount of cash this would need just to entertain a niche hobby do you? That will NEVER happen! Not for this.

However, there is absolutely nothing stopping you and your team bike friends from clubbing together, buying done land and getting planning permission, and design and build such a facility.
Nothing legally or in theory to stop that.

In practice tho, it will be difficult and expensive to get planning, insurance will be an issue, and there will be objections.

The same can be said for people who say that "they" should build tracks for sulky racers. Who is "they". The coounty council? Lol. Luxurious, why would they. It is the sulky crowd who should develop it. But they won't, because they couldn't care less and they are happy to flout the law and takeover motorways because there is no consequences for them monster what they do

The tax payer gives millions to horse racing and they have loads of money, look at the price of top race horses. Why is the government supporting a rich person's hobby and criminalising another person's hobby? There are plenty of old quarries that could easily be converted for off road vehicles but instead we give money to rich horse owners. The sulkly racers can use greyhound tracks easily, off road vehicles need off places.

How come other countries can provide facilities for motor vehicles and separate vehicles for walkers?

Del2005

TheBoyConor wrote: »

To those saying that "oh trails should be built so we can ride our motorbikes legally".
You hardly expect the tax payer to spend the very significant amount of cash this would need just to entertain a niche hobby do you? That will NEVER happen! Not for this.

However, there is absolutely nothing stopping you and your team bike friends from clubbing together, buying done land and getting planning permission, and design and build such a facility.
Nothing legally or in theory to stop that.

In practice tho, it will be difficult and expensive to get planning, insurance will be an issue, and there will be objections.

The same can be said for people who say that "they" should build tracks for sulky racers. Who is "they". The coounty council? Lol. Luxurious, why would they. It is the sulky crowd who should develop it. But they won't, because they couldn't care less and they are happy to flout the law and takeover motorways because there is no consequences for them monster what they do

The tax payer gives millions to horse racing and they have loads of money, look at the price of top race horses. Why is the government supporting a rich person's hobby and criminalising another person's hobby? There are plenty of old quarries that could easily be converted for off road vehicles but instead we give money to rich horse owners. The sulkly racers can use greyhound tracks easily, off road vehicles need off places.

How come other countries can provide facilities for motor vehicles and separate vehicles for walkers?

listermint

Del2005 wrote: »

The tax payer gives millions to horse racing and they have loads of money, look at the price of top race horses. Why is the government supporting a rich person's hobby and criminalising another person's hobby? There are plenty of old quarries that could easily be converted for off road vehicles but instead we give money to rich horse owners. The sulkly racers can use greyhound tracks easily, off road vehicles need off places.

How come other countries can provide facilities for motor vehicles and separate vehicles for walkers?

erm...... not hard to understand tbh

Whatwicklow

No need for any special locations, the country is literally crossed with established rights of way for vehicles. A lot of enduro bikes are taxed abs insured so I dunt see any problem.

The antisocial bikes in parks are a different matter and is for AGS to fix.

Wanderer78

Whatwicklow wrote:

No need for any special locations, the country is literally crossed with established rights of way for vehicles. A lot of enduro bikes are taxed abs insured so I dunt see any problem.

That maybe the case, but these bikes are becoming a problem in many places, some sort of agreements are required before people step in to resolve it themselves. I suspect possibly many of the bikes I come across are not taxed or insured, some are complete wrecks to be honest, and some are very well looked after

Whatwicklow

I don't think agreements can be reached that are better than the status quo. Responsible bikers just need to be responsible.

Enter an enduro race or bike rally of you want off piest riding.

AGS can deal with the uninsured, taxed, antisocial element you mention as a problem in some areas. That's their role.

Wanderer78

Whatwicklow wrote:

I don't think agreements can be reached that are better than the status quo. Responsible bikers just need to be responsible.

So no change will occur then by offical means, it's important to realise, some people simply don't care, they only want what they want, again, I suspect many of the riders I come across have absolutely no tax or insurance, some of these bikes truly are wrecks, rangers have been trying to prevent them from accessing the land, but all measures generally, eventually fail. Other users are getting fed up, in particular the locals, the status quo is failing, something needs to change before people take action themselves. I have also seen very well looked after bikes, and we'll kitted out lads, in area's where bikes are banned, again, the status quo is failing.

I'm aware I also can't be saying much as I'm an illegal trail builder, but everyone knows about us, and I'd imagine so to does the rangers. we ve been active for years, with little or no issues, in fact we ve been complimented on our work, including from locals, respect is key, respect for the land, landowners, the locals, all users, safety for all is critical, other land users have priority, particularly pedestrians. It is possible to create trails with all this in mind, keeping everyone as safe as possible, and to allow fantastic public amenities to be enjoyed by everyone. I think the situation desperately needs to change for trail riders, you won't stop lads from doing what they wanna do, but this has to be done in a way that keeps everyone safe, so everyone can have fun.

Hotblack Desiato

Wanderer78 wrote: »

funnily enough, this isnt exactly maturity in how to engage in this issue, you may not be helping yourself, im all for the fun, but.....

That's clearly used as a road for motor vehicles so I've no idea what your problem is.

TheBoyConor wrote: »

death traps

:rolleyes:

Wanderer78 wrote: »

I suspect many of the riders I come across have absolutely no tax or insurance

An off-road vehicle isn't obliged to have either.

H_Lime

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

That's clearly used as a road for motor vehicles so I've no idea what your problem is.




:rolleyes:




An off-road vehicle isn't obliged to have either.

Whoever owns them deathtraps in those pics is on coillte land and is a filthy law breaker! Luckily I was there to photo them whilst studying the social interactions of the common long eared barn owl.

BropBropBropBrop:eek:

iwillhtfu

H_Lime wrote: »

Whoever owns them deathtraps in those pics is on coillte land and is a filthy law breaker! Luckily I was there to photo them whilst studying the social interactions of the common long eared barn owl.

BropBropBropBrop:eek:

Have you balls dropped yet?

galwaytt

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

That's clearly used as a road for motor vehicles so I've no idea what your problem is.




:rolleyes:




An off-road vehicle isn't obliged to have either.

actually, if used in a public place - not necessarily a road btw - i believe it does have to have insurance. .. .

tashiusclay

Just giving this thread a bump. I'm currently interested in getting into trails riding. Trying to find out next, approximately where I can ride them in Ireland, in particular the west. My intended use will be long slow cross country rides, across as isolated as possible plains mountain areas and bogs generally. The bike would be the standard trails type bike with lights, indicators, road legal and insured basically. Driven to the off road routes and areas, via the main roads. NOT the loud aggressive small motocross bikes. Just for slow speed long distance exploring, not tearing up trails and walkways, just passing through them when necessary at slow gentle pace to get to the isolated area. Opinions appreciated. Most of the comments so far mostly spoke about younger people on more aggressive MX bikes. Thanks

galwaytt

TheBoyConor wrote: »

To those saying that "oh trails should be built so we can ride our motorbikes legally".
You hardly expect the tax payer to spend the very significant amount of cash this would need just to entertain a niche hobby do you? That will NEVER happen! Not for this.

However, there is absolutely nothing stopping you and your team bike friends from clubbing together, buying done land and getting planning permission, and design and build such a facility.
Nothing legally or in theory to stop that.

In practice tho, it will be difficult and expensive to get planning, insurance will be an issue, and there will be objections.

The same can be said for people who say that "they" should build tracks for sulky racers. Who is "they". The coounty council? Lol. Luxurious, why would they. It is the sulky crowd who should develop it. But they won't, because they couldn't care less and they are happy to flout the law and takeover motorways because there is no consequences for them monster what they do

First off, as taxpayers, motorcyclists are entitled to no less consideration or accommodating than any MTB user, including on State lands. If MTB-ers can use them, so can motorcyclists.

No one will convince me that a downhill MTB is any safer than any motorcycle, and I'd argue they're worse: especially when it comes to brakes etc.

And as for buying land for that purpose, actually you can't. You see, buying the land is the easy bit.

I've seen an entire purpose built facility on private land harried into closure over issues from NIMBY's, Planning Dept etc.

galwaytt

tashiusclay wrote: »

Just giving this thread a bump. I'm currently interested in getting into trails riding. Trying to find out next, approximately where I can ride them in Ireland, in particular the west. My intended use will be long slow cross country rides, across as isolated as possible plains mountain areas and bogs generally. The bike would be the standard trails type bike with lights, indicators, road legal and insured basically. Driven to the off road routes and areas, via the main roads. NOT the loud aggressive small motocross bikes. Just for slow speed long distance exploring, not tearing up trails and walkways, just passing through them when necessary at slow gentle pace to get to the isolated area. Opinions appreciated. Most of the comments so far mostly spoke about younger people on more aggressive MX bikes. Thanks

Good luck with that. The West is particularly poorly served for off road motorcycling. Just look at MX etc, most is in Leinster/Ulster.

Many years ago I and a number of friends all bought Enduros. One by one they all gave up, as access to anywhere was impossible. I was the Last Man Standing and sold my Pampera 250.....was a great bike.