Image sourced: Fox Creek Bike Park
The Fox Creek Bike Park celebrated the grand opening of two new Adaptive Mountain Bike (aMTB) trails this weekend, making the parks facilities accessible for riders with disabilities. Held on Sunday the 29th of September, this is a major improvement for the South Australian mountain biking community.
These new trails, designed specifically to accommodate adaptive mountain bikes including two, three, and four-wheeled cycles, allow riders who cannot use a standard mountain bike to partake in the sport. The trails are wider than standard paths, providing a safe and accessible environment for all users.
With the popular Allen’s Orange Whip trail introduced in 2023, the newly unveiled Phoenix and B-Rad trails aim to further diversify the opportunities available at the park. Both of these trails cater to beginner and intermediate riders, giving them a chance to enjoy nature, improve their biking skills, and ride with confidence.
Michael Hanton, Acting Chief Executive of ForestrySA, highlighted the significance of these additions. “The addition of these trails to our aMTB trail network contributes to our goal to make the park more inclusive for all riders, and expands the appeal of Fox Creek Bike Park for both recreational and competitive activities.”
These trails are not just a boost for recreational activity but also aim to act as prime venues for adaptive mountain biking competitions, which can help include those with disabilities more into local sporting events. “We are committed to delivering community benefits through multi-use forestry and are excited to see new inclusive trails at Fox Creek Bike Park for riders to enjoy” Michael said.
The establishment of these trails is the outcome of the community coming together and collaborating their expertise to create a more inclusive park. “We would like to thank our community for their involvement in the development of these trails. We appreciate Fox Creek’s supporters, and their passion for mountain biking in South Australia” Michael says.
Significant contributions to the project came from multiple local groups including the Human Projectile MTB Club, Next Level MTB, and individuals such as Grant Allen and Renee Junga, who all played major roles in bringing this project to life.
Peter Obradovic, President of the Human Projectile MTB Club, expressed satisfaction with the project. “Making Fox Creek Bike Park a real destination for everybody and maximising useability on these outrageous trails is a great achievement.”
Funding for this was secured through the South Australian Government Community Recreation and Sports Facilities Program. The grant was given by The Human Projectile MTB Club with support from ForestrySA – a collaboration between local government bodies and community organisations to create a better sport and recreation industry for all.
The introduction of these adaptive trails at Fox Creek Bike Park stands out as an important step towards inclusive outdoor activities, allowing individuals with disabilities greater access to sports facilities, making SA better for everyone!
WHAT: Fox Creek Bike Park
WHEN: Open year round, closed on days of total fire ban or for forest operations.
WHERE: Cuddle Creek
PRICE: Free
For more information, click here.
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