BURNSIDE Council and cyclists have clashed over whether mountain bike riders are allowed to use a walking trail from Beaumont to Eagle on the Hill.

Bike SA is threatening to take legal action against the council to prove the Pioneer Women’s Trail is on a road reserve which cyclists are entitled to use.

The trouble started on July 17 when the council erected a large sign saying “No bicycles allowed on walking trail” at the start of the 4km track from Brock Reserve, Beaumont.

TELL US BELOW: Do you think cyclists should be able to use the trail?

It was removed by the council on Tuesday (July 22) after staff and councillors were contacted by angry cyclists, including Matthew Ackland, the president of the Adelaide Mountain Bike Club.

media_camera A ‘No bicycles allowed’ sign was erected at the start of the walking trail but removed five days later.

Mr Ackland, of Ridgehaven, rides on the track several times a week.

He was happy the sign had been removed, but feared it was not the end of the matter.

“I think they are planning on community consultation leading to closing it to mountain bike use, which would be very disappointing because a lot of riders do use it regularly to get up to the mountain bike park,” Mr Ackland said.

Bike SA chief executive Christian Haag and SA Mountain Biking Association treasurer Mark Gare will meet with Burnside on Friday (August 1) to try to solve the dispute.

In the meantime, Mr Haag said he would seek legal advice on whether the route was a road reserve.

“Our understanding is that corridor is a road reserve and it is legal to ride bikes on it,” Mr Haag said.

Mr Gare said it was important to find a solution for walkers and cyclists without the need for legal action.

“Everywhere else in the world mountain bike riders and walkers share trails, but Australia has this funny rule for some reason and this funny segregation,” Mr Gare said.

Burnside spokeswoman Jenny Barrett said cyclists had always been banned from using the trail but small “no bike” signs placed alongside it kept disappearing.

“Over many years, the City of Burnside has received complaints from walkers of dangerous mountain bike riders and near misses,” Ms Barrett said.

“Last week, (the) council took a complaint of another serious near miss.

“(The) council is concerned for the safety of the walkers using the trail and that the existing ‘no bike’ signs are not being taken seriously.”

She said the larger sign was taken down in recognition further education on the use of the Pioneer Women’s Trail was required.

“An interim solution will be determined once (the) council undertakes the engagement with both cycling and pedestrian stakeholders,” Ms Barrett said.

The trail was created in 1838 by women bringing produce from Hahndorf to sell in Adelaide.

Its use by mountain bikers has increased since the opening of the Eagle on the Hill mountain-bike park in 2006 and the opening of Cleland Conservation Park to bike riders in 2012.

TELL US BELOW: Do you think cyclists should be able to use the trail?