paparoa great walk

"As long as bikes follow the rules i.e. speed limits" - yes a sensible condition but not always followed unfortunately… There is an uneasy alliance between trampers and MTBers using the Old Ghost Road. I hope tolerance prevails but someone has written on the sign at Lyell reminding MTBers to respect walkers - the tone was one of exasperation and one I can understand completely. I've ridden up to Lyell Saddle Hut and the speed of bikers coming down was to me way too fast. But then I don't fit the demographic (veteran/female/cautious). So many blind corners and no way of knowing who is around the bend… amazing there are no collisions but with it nearing completion, this means more numbers sharing. I would expect similar conditions on the Paparoa Great Walk and DOC will be looking to see the stats on conflicts/accidents happening on the OGR as numbers crank up over summer.

The OGR has reflective warning signs on most blind corners, not to mention gates to actually stop the riders and make them get off. This MAY slow some of them down but not likely I suspect. When I was a MTBer I was cautious but most of the younger guys aren't. Yes, it will be interesting to see accident statistics as the OGR kicks into action.

mountain bikers are supposed to give way to walkers. i was on the queen charlotte and there was no sign of them doing that, they'd only get out of my way at the last minute when they realised unlike all the other walkers i wasnt going to step aside as they ploughed down the middle of the track. i pointed this out to DOC, who are under the misapprehension think its a rare problem.. so the day i went was totally the opposite of a normal day? because not one rider was in a hurry to give way to me..

If one assumes that walkers are superior to bikers then, yes, the bikers should give way. But if one looks at this situation logically then surely walkers should give way. Far, far easier for the walker to take one step to the side and the potential problem isn't even created. If the walker steadfastly chooses to continue walking down the middle then of course a 'problem' is created which will linger in all participant's minds for a long time. Why does the walker have to 'win' in this situation unless they consider themselves superior or 'right'? Personally I always step to the side, give a cheery "Hi!" and everyone is happy. To hell with the 'rules'!

When you are driving down the main road and the guy coming up to the give way on the side road obviously isnt going to stop What do you do? I hate filling out insurance forms so for me at least its whatever is necessary to prevent both of us occupying the same space at the same time. Same applys on a track. If a faster or opposing tramping party comes along we move over. On the tacks that are designated ok for mtbs there is normally enough room to move over and the track is kept in good enough condition to make this safe and not that inconvenient. Maybe whats needed is a few keep left signs Just what we need more signs

If I, a walker, meet a biker I have 3 choices:- 1. Stay in the middle and make him/her stop and get out of the way. I win, they lose. (And if I continue to be upset by their attitude then I lose and they lose.) 2. Reluctantly get out of their way and let them ride on leaving me grumbling in their wake. They win, I lose. 3. Step out of their way and give them a cheery greeting. We both win. Personally I choose the latter in all my meetings with other people. A 'problem' is only a 'problem' if i choose to let it be one.

its the fact that i've seen so many bikers with no intention to give way in places where its easy to do so, the rules of the tracks i've been on state bikers give way and i give them a reminder of that, if a walker gives way to them they should say thank you but i cant recall bikers saying thanks. if they were courteous , i'd give way. if its going to be that difficult for a biker to give way on a narrower track i'll give way. i've seen it on tracks with small kids walking. some bikers come around corners without enough thought for what might be around the bend

@deepriver No quibble with your logic or sentiments there. I'd be mostly likely to do the same thing. But do you then think that DoC should change the 'rules' so that it is the walkers who must give way to the MTB's?

i think the give way rule is there to try and get bikers to think about keeping their speed down so they can stop when they need to and not barrel down a track as if they dont have to worry as much about their speed because the walkers have to get out of the way, then you really have an mtb track that has walkers on it, not a shared track. as people point out, sometimes its more practical for the walker to give way. mtbers should recognise that as a courtesy and not an obligation of walkers..

I go running on some small hills a couple of times a week, and every single mountain biker has thanked me when I give way to allow them to pass unimpeded.