Permit for table mountain?

[Dan Dob]

Anyone know how we can get this issue into the media? We have tried getting answers from TMNP via Twitter but no response (as normal). I really do feel the public needs to hear about these absurd fines and fight back.

 

We know that none of the money goes back into safety(or trails for us to ride!), but the public (even most mtbers for that matter) does not know this. Plus, how on earth do day visitors wanting to ride on the mountain go about getting a day permit?? No signage and no easy access to offices.

 

I'd rather have no rangers on the mountain if they are going to start fining the innocent, rather than look out for muggers.

[rock]

happy to pay if I know its going somewhere,

 

tokai = trail/singletrack maintenance,

 

table mountain = security please, as it is I don't feel safe there, now I am paying to feel uneasy??

 

(yes I know its the same permit for both but currently I can buy a day permit for tokai if/when I decide to ride there)

[Kranky]

Maybe spread the rumour that there are some rhinos into the Park? Seems to be one of the few things that mobilises SANParks and citizens.

[Meezo]

I'd rather have no rangers on the mountain if they are going to start fining the innocent, rather than look out for muggers.

 

i ride table mountain as part of my commute.... since the cycle tour i have not seen a single ranger on the mountain, a friend of mine was harassed by 2 guys from a distance, he managed strava'komd away....

 

its quite sad though... but above what you saying is exactly what should happen, so what are we paying for using the mountain? to me this is a lot like the e-tolls!

[TokaiMTB]

Rock, just to inform you that your Wildcard/day permit to Tokai DOES NOT go back into trail/singletrack maintenance. Read more about it here. The TokaiMTB committee and trail building volunteers rely on donations from the public (hopefully corporate when we get our ducks in a row) to fund that side of things.

[Meezo]

Rock, just to inform you that your Wildcard/day permit to Tokai DOES NOT go back into trail/singletrack maintenance. Read more about it here. The TokaiMTB committee and trail building volunteers rely on donations from the public (hopefully corporate when we get our ducks in a row) to fund that side of things.

 

....but does it somehow benefit the guards at the "known" entrance, as this does provide a very huge sense of security.

[rock]

Rock, just to inform you that your Wildcard/day permit to Tokai DOES NOT go back into trail/singletrack maintenance. Read more about it here. The TokaiMTB committee and trail building volunteers rely on donations from the public (hopefully corporate when we get our ducks in a row) to fund that side of things.

 

that's pretty shitty huh.......thanks for clearing it up. Now I'm even less inclined to get a wild card.

[kandui]

To stick to the facts only and keep emotion out of this:

 

A My Activity Permit , Level 3 , costing R430 for 1 year of unlimited access to Table Mountain National Park, is required to perform the activity of mountain biking in the designated cycling areas. There are 3 official cycling areas: Tokai/Silvermine, Table Mountain (between Signal Hill & Newlands Forest) and Black Hill (at the top of the hill). This is where we are allowed to ride and require a day permit/Activity permit.

 

Fact is that Tokai is the only area where one can purchase a day permit. You are unable to purchase a day permit for Table Mountain (front face).

 

Since I printed the Table Mountain Trail map in 2012, I have included under "Registration and Rules", "Daily or Annual Permits required"

I would like to point out that Table Mountain Bikers put the Rules on the back of the maps without San Parks asking for it.We did it as a proactive measure so that nobody could accuse us of ignoring the rules. I don't expect

everyone to have a copy of the map in hand before they ride on Table Mountain, but we have pointed out the requirement for almost 2 years now.

If you have bought a Level 3 Activity Permit to ride Tokai, then it covers you for all areas anyway.

 

The problem for me is that San Parks have responded to my inquires about yesterday's event at Deer Park by saying that the "locals should know". I find that a little problematic as there has been very little done in terms of publicising the rules of the Park regarding cyclists. Since all of the front face of Table Mountain is jeep track only, it can be excused that cyclists who ride there infrequently, might assume that there is no charge to ride here.

 

Also, there is no signage anywhere which tells you that a permit is required. I spoke to the deputy ranger this morning and he confirmed this. Furthermore, one is not able to purchase a day permit anywhere on Table Mountain (neither at Kloof Nek or Rhodes Memorial). One can't realisitically expect a person who would like to ride for the day only to pay R430 for that privilege.

 

One solution would be for foreign visitors that need to rent a bike to ride , that they purchase a day permit from the bike rental company. Simple solution, problem solved for the visitor. If you have your own bike and want to ride for the day, there should be pay points to purchase a day permit, even if there is no access control point. It's like an honesty system at Meerendal, for instance.

 

In closing, I understand the frustration of the guys that were fined , but it is a requirement to have a Level 3 Activity permit when cycling on the mountain. I believe that dog walkers were also fined yesterday. If the rules are applied evenhandedly, I don't think we can complain. I think what grates us the most is that San Parks seems not to want cyclists in the park and won't budge on allowing more trails to be built or allow us to share trails with other users. Against that background , we feel unfairly treated, perhaps even victimized as a user group.

 

In the next Reply box I have copied and pasted some content from emails received from San Parks this morning.

I have edited out some content which related to other issues, not relevant to this discussion

[kandui]

This is an email received from Hilton Blomeris, Head of Visitor Safety at TMNP.

 

Dear All

 

We will be conducting these compliant visible policing permit checks on a weekly basis as there are numerous dog walkers and mountain bikers (locals) not in possession of the My Activity permit, we have on numerous occasions warned dog walkers and mountain bikers that it is a requirement to purchase a MY ACTIVITY permit.

 

Regards

 

Hilton.

[tubed]

This is an email received from Hilton Blomeris, Head of Visitor Safety at TMNP.

 

Dear All

 

We will be conducting these compliant visible policing permit checks on a weekly basis as there are numerous dog walkers and mountain bikers (locals) not in possession of the My Activity permit, we have on numerous occasions warned dog walkers and mountain bikers that it is a requirement to purchase a MY ACTIVITY permit.

 

Regards

 

Hilton.

 

I cannot begin to describe how I loathe SANPARKS approach. From what I can see over many years they have simply refused to properly consult or engage the community they serve. they hide behind legislation and regulation. Yes they are custodians of the asset, they don't own it, they manage it for use. I have had too many experiences where I have been spoken to like a child, been scolded and accused before they have even inquired or greeted. I am generally mild mannered and law abiding, but their approach has just been negative in general toward users of the mountain.

 

On the plus side I will be the first to commend them for the patrols and the recent successful arrest of the robbers on Vlakkenberg in conjunction with SAPS.

 

I would like them for a moment to consider their mandate and their purpose. Perhaps send the whole lot for retraining:

 

"In line with our new vision of “Connecting to Society”, SANParks promotes constituency building to give effect to its transformation mission of facilitating dialogue and mutually beneficial partnerships with most of the stakeholders."

[kandui]

This is a second email received from San Parks this morning: Saskia Marlowe, Hospitality Services Manager

 

Morning Rob

With regards to the second portion of your email.

If you are cycling in an open access area of the park you need an activity permit to be able to carry out your activity

In those parts of the park where we can control access such as Tokai, Silvermine and Cape Point we have a second option of a day activity permit for cycling.

 

So the issue if I can reading your email below is not around whether the cyclists in question were on a track zoned for cycling but rather whether they had an activity permit or not.

 

Foreigners and out of town locals either need to cycle in locations that offer day activity permits or actually purchase an activity permit for the duration of their visit.

A foreigner is able to purchase an activity permit by presenting 2 photos and his passport.

 

With regards to signage I have copied Wana and Jannie in. I don’t know exactly where the signs are located but they are positioned in high traffic entry points to the park.

 

The permitting system has now been in place for over 14 years yet people still don’t seem to be aware of the need for a permit

One would assume that before you cycle on land that is not your own you inquire if you need permission and what this permission might entail. I am astounded by how many people choose to do as they please without a second thought

 

Happy weekend Robert

Will copy you in on the meeting request

Regards

Saskia

[Kranky]

Agreed, SANParks engagement is terrible. We must be careful not to think it's just MTBers being victimised, my friends that climb tell stories very similar to our plight.

[tubed]

"The permitting system has now been in place for over 14 years yet people still don’t seem to be aware of the need for a permit

One would assume that before you cycle on land that is not your own you inquire if you need permission and what this permission might entail. I am astounded by how many people choose to do as they please without a second thought"

 

Oh my word! Just as I thought, no clue as to their role regarding Table Mountain National Park.

 

So next time you go to the beach Saskia, please take your activity permit and get permission according to your logic.

 

Unless of course you 'own' the beaches too....

[(Deon)]

Please keep in mind that the TMMTB forum is in the process of engaging TMNP to change their perception on mountain biking. The process is slow but there are members of the forum committed to seeing it through.

 

No one can predict the future, we don't know what the result of the process will be, but let's stick it out and see where it goes. In the meantime, do what you can to conform to the rules set out for us..

[kandui]

All of us engaging with San Parks share your frustration. We have chosen to follow through to the bitter end, hopefully with a positive outcome.

One thing I keep reminding San Parks of is that their tactics of attrition (that's what it feels like) will not stop us from staying the course. We can't afford to give up, not this time.

As was said to me by someone at San Parks today: " It will happen, but don't think it will happen this year or next year". He made reference to a specific project , not mountain biking in general, so please don't get your backs up. It just illustrates how slow the wheels of progress grind in the organisation.

[tubed]

I realise I am ranting this afternoon, it feels to me like this should be more appropriate in the active "Mugged and Robbed" thread, because that's how I generally feel when I see a Sanparks official, one feels guilty until you have proved you are legitimate.

 

I will also just add that they move very very quickly when it suits them. For example the track they cut at Rhodes Mem to ensure we no longer go past their offices and that we are diverted away. They did that with no reference to NEMA, an EMP, in/ over a watercourse and found all the budget and signage at the drop of a hat. Because it suited them.

 

* the views expressed her are my own!