Motorcylists have been tearing up an Oamaru mountainbike track which intersects a walking trail, damaging trails and creating hazards, a bike club member says.
The bikers were caught at the Old Mill Link track last Friday and reported to the Waitaki District Council, but tracks have been found and motorcycles spotted on several occasions.
The track, between Eden St and Old Mill Rd, is on land owned by the Waitaki District Council, but maintained by the North Otago Mountain Bike Club.
The motorcyclists were confronted by a member of the club, but refused to leave.
"They thought they have every right to be there, but they don’t," the member said.
The bikers made it clear "no-one was going to stop them".
Not wanting to escalate the situation, the member left.
The bikers were damaging the track and creating a hazard for cyclists and walkers, he said.
"There’s potential for a head-on accident."
Club president Oscar Smit said the sharp corners on the track meant there was a "real possibility of a collision".
Cyclists and walkers would also not expect anything to come over hills at speed, but motorcycles could easily roll over the hills.
The cyclists could share "reasonably well" with walkers, but it was not the same with motorised vehicles.
"Mountainbike tracks are for mountainbikes."
Council recreation manager Lindsay Hyde said the council was installing signage to clarify the rules.
The cycle track was mostly separate from the Skyline walking trail, but there were paths that intersected.
He was concerned the motorcyclists would be riding across those areas, causing a hazard for unassuming walkers.
It was also an area that people walked their dogs.
Bicycle tracks were not suited for motorcycles, which were heavier and had more torque.
The council could fine people for causing damage, but he hoped it would not come to that.
It was aware of only a single incident of motorcyclists at the track, but relied on people to tell it what was going on.
