At risk of covering old territory, I strongly believe there are both some long running and seemingly increasing issues at play here.
Having been away from the sport for some time due to serious injury, upon returning now and catching up with all the info on where trails are etc I have to admit it concerns me how the political climate around riding a bicycle off a made road continues to be such a huge issue.
OK, OK I get it! I understand that in an environment of shared use, allocated land, liability etc, etc things need to be ordered and processed.
After course designing and directing state level cycling and rallying events (seems like a lifetime ago now) I am genuinely starting to see a blinkered, spiral type, echo chamber effect these days that is detrimental to all involved.
The absence of involvement for an extended period has really highlighted this to me and I have no doubt that those working away at these issues year after year in a highly bureaucratic and political environment don't have the option of this perspective.
I have a question- While fantastic in providing mountain bike riders a designated, approved, sign posted location for use, is the modern mountain bike park partly to blame for the broader community's apparent increasing distain for mountain biking anywhere other than these locations?
Studies show a similar negative effect with "bike lanes" and road riders where other road users exhibit both frustration and a lack of understanding.
I have been riding off road on both mountain bikes and motorbikes for almost 30 years and the climate of doing so even in the most reserved and respectful manner has never been so poorly met or understood by the greater community.
While no one with even reasonable intelligence should suggest a recognised significant cultural area or even arguably fragile location should be "open slather" to all users the simple act of cycling off a man made road really shouldn't be this complicated. (Kids making structure/ berms etc a completely aside issue here).
Don't agree? Thats fine, but while I genuinely respect your opinion know that its more often than not one of limited experience globally where trails of almost any nature are shared respectfully often without designation, without overtly increasing politics and so on.
The way i see it, perhaps less so than previously, not all who ride a mountain bike are interested in driving to a designated "park" to ride the same old trails repetitively then drive home again. For some, riding a mountain bike is about exploring, taking the interesting route, getting away from the organised masses and just enjoying being in an environment that is rewarding and simultaneously challenging.
Because "bike parks" now exist is this type of user all of a sudden wrong?
For the majority of the world the answer is an almost definite no but seemingly here in Australia its moving towards a "yes" answer.
Even longtime designated walking trails in NZ are becoming shared use ones.
Where to from here folks?