Ride Rivi

A PETITION has been launched to campaign for better mountain bike trails around Rivington.

The campaign centres on encouraging mountain bikers and walkers to enjoy the trails safely in and around the fells to the north west of Manchester.

There has been increasing concern among enthusiasts that mountain bikers are being stopped from fully enjoying the area due to the limited number of appropriate bridleways.

Now a petition has been launched calling on the local authorities and country rangers to assess the situation and come up with some effective solutions.

Clare Cook, the petition's creator, said: 'There are miles and miles of fell that are absolutely perfect for mountain bikers, and this would encourage riders away from the pike and mast, and indeed the Chinese gardens, to help avoid any accidents and make sure everyone is enjoying the countryside in a safe way.

'What we want is a solution which means that bikers can enjoy the areas safely away from pedestrians. Many local authorities and country parks have built trails purposely for mountain bikers and we urge the authorities around Rivington to do the same.

'This is not only about more people enjoying Rivington safely but also environmentally to help preserve the area and avoid erosion, and also economically, as more trails would attract hundreds of mountain bikers which would be positive for local businesses. This really is an opportunity to be explioted not shunned.

'Hopefully this petition will be a way to get the issue on the council agenda as well as to assess what people really want, and open the lines of communication for an effective debate.'

Access the petition for better trails around Rivington online.