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SAPPI Indemnity
Background:
Howick Mountainbiking has been at the forefront of engaging land owners and land managers for land access and use of land for recreational usage. We have continually dialogued with SAPPI over the last few years in order to enable members, and visitors, access to some of the best mountainbiking areas in the country. To this end, we have engaged more extensively with AMARIDER and SAPPI recently, and are jointly developing a land access agreement. Whilst these efforts are considered “work-in-progress” they are sufficient to ensure that mountainbikers can continue to enjoy riding in the commercial plantations surrounding Howick .
Why?
To ensure that this access is risk-managed and monitored the HMBC is required to monitor tracks and roads, report dangers, signpost high-risk areas, carry liability insurance, etc all to protect land owners against injury claims which mountainbikers, and their health service providers, may wish to lodge against SAPPI, HMBC or any sub-contractors.
We all understand the adage:
Ride at your own risk!
… but of late …legal issues speaks money …and makes people nasty!
We, as mtbkrs, need to take a more active role in being responsible for cycling activity in our own “backyard!”. If we do not take this role in determining mountainbiking in Howick, either no-one will – and cycling could be banned, or some-one else will be dictating to us what we have to do with our recreational cycling time!
To this end all cyclists cycling regularly in the Howick plantations are encouraged to join the club and apply for an indemnity board which indicates to the land managers that the cyclist is aware of the risks, routes and dangers involved in cycling. The cost is negligible given the privilege we have of cycling in the area.
By joining the club, and obtaining indemnity boards, you are assisting in maintaining and developing a “good thing” for mountainbiking!
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