Bicycles in Kruger

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Poplap
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Bicycles in our Parks

Post by Poplap »

A recent post on the ... Forum, and I quote:


Dear All,

I have read some of the inputs and would like to reflect my personal views on this, which are not necessarily those of SANParks. All the years there have been the rules and regulations trying to manage peoples behaviour in the parks and camps - no balls, no bicycles, no playing, no games, etc. I believe we have moved on and need to a more tolerant service provider, especially for children, who are future decision-makers and park visitors. What do we currently offer children? Nothing, at all, just all these rules! I believe we should relook the rules and provide better facilities for people to be able ti cycle, for example a cycling route in or adjacent to camps. I agree there should be control and bicycles should not be on the busier routes in camps where there is a safety risk and neither should kids be allowed to irritate guests in campsites, etc. As with everything there is a responsibility on cyclists (and parents of young cyclists) to behave responsibly. We need dedicated areas for kids to play, to be able to skateboard and be able to cycle. Any views on my suggestion?

Thank you.

JOEP (joep.stevens@sanparks.org)

_________________
General Manager: Tourism Operations
'



I realise that this has been composed as Mr Stevens' personal view, but please note his designation at the bottom of his post.


My concerns are as follows:


'which are not necessarily those of SANParks.'


This in itself worries me. If this was not on the table somehow, somewhere, the correct sentence structure would have been 'which are not those of SANParks'.


Is this another 'tenderising' process of what is to follow, i.e. a Tour de Fence for all in camps/around all hotels? Is this a manner of paving the way, so to speak? Spoiling it for all those who seek out our National Parks as holiday destinations for the sake of serenity, tranquillity, peace, and to become 'one with nature'? Again, seemingly the tourists and their selfish enjoyment are the primary objective, and "Custos Naturae" secondary, as was originally and should be intended?


Am I perhaps wrong to think that it is clear which way Mr Stevens' vote will go if this issue is raised in a decisive meeting of some sort?


Am I perhaps wrong to think that Mr Stevens' wants to do away with the rule book (without which not one society can prevail. And further, after all we have witnessed in the Parks re unruly behaviour or visitors, does Mr Stevens really think that ultimately the responsibility can lie with tourists to behave responsibly?), and perhaps in more than one respect.


Am I perhaps wrong to think that there will be some sort of Disneyland development in camps/around hotels in the near future? Seeing that the 'poor children' of this generation need/require/demand alternative entertainment to become the custodians of the future? O/ O/ O/


Is our human footprint not big enough already? Have we not turned our backs on conservation enough already? Do we need to leave bicycle footprints in our parks too? Pave more, develop more, commercialise more, preserve and conserve less? What would the effect be on the unseen insects etc if bicycles become the trend in camps/around the hotels. What are the scientific views of ornithologists, entomologists and other scientists re constant bicycle and skateboard traffic and what else coupled with the existing footprint and traffic?


iNdlovu
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Re: Bicycles in our Parks

Post by iNdlovu »

This is unbelievable. Through this I can see that conservation is going out the window, it's all about attracting more and more people, nothing to do with the quality of one's stay in the park.
Mr Stevens, in case you haven't realised it, people go to the park to enjoy the widlife, solitude and peace, they get in their car at sunrise and drive around our national parks in the hope of spotting things that you cannot see in Sandton, Nelspruit or London. They might return to camp for a short rest near lunch time and then get out there again to return just before gate closing. Are you perhaps suggesting that people don't want the above, that they want a holiday resort type destination where amusement for their kids and themselves is more important than the wildlife experience. If this is the case, there are numerous other destinations in our country that would fit the bill perfectly, why try and change our parks into amusement destinations. In my opinion you don't know (or don't care) about the needs of your real clients.
You yourself have indicated that there are so many rules in the park, may I enquire if they were put there for fun or just to be dictatorial or were they put in place for the reason that people (generalising) actualy don't know how to behave without rules, and if with rules, tend to act as if they are in place for everyone else but themselves. Do you really think that parents are going to ensure that the kids are going to be well behaved little angels whilst tarring around the camps on bicycles and skateboards. Some will for sure, but it only takes a few unruly people to spoil a visit for many.
This is one more rediculous proposal amongst many that we see creeping into our parks.


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Bushcraft
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Bicycles in Kruger

Post by Bushcraft »

Please can someone explain if bicycles are permitted or not. I know the "current" rules say no bicycles, but I have just returned from the park, admittedly only stayed in 3 camps, but in 2 of the 3 had families in the unit next to me using bicycles all over the park.

The family at Skukuza joined many others each day in a ride to the sighting board and around reception, often chatting to SANParks staff.

My kids asked “Dad, you said no bicycles, so why do they have them”

What is the “current” rule?? If bicycles are permitted then they may as well permit skateboards and roller blading also?


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Sprocky
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Re: Bicycles in Kruger

Post by Sprocky »

The bottom line is,...I don't think that SANParks staff even know what the rules are, so how can they monitor anything? Before I get shot, I am talking about staff that are not in management positions.


serval
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Re: Bicycles in Kruger

Post by serval »

Mon Oct 24 2011 - 11:03 am

The policy is that no skateboards, roller skates and bicycles are allowed in the park. It seems with time, some of the camps however relaxed this rule in order to accommodate children but there is always a possibility of conflict both in terms of noise and fellow guests’ not observing children on bicycles. In the past, camps like Berg en Dal would put notices to make people aware of children playing around with bicycles but it still became a problem during holidays with parents who could not attend to/control their children.

Yes it might not be easy to keep the modern child (especially hyperactive ones) occupied as TV and computers they are used to at home are not available to them here; but the environment in the camps does not allow the use of bikes. The status quo of the policy therefore remains

This problem is not going to go away by itself and visitors will keep on complaining about it and it makes life difficult for our staff to control a Park rule that we need to enforce. Firstly I will ensure for signage at camp entrance Gate to indicate that no bicycles are allowed. Secondly all reservation confirmations will indicate that the use of bicycles is not allowed .

Once again thank you very much for bringing all these issues to our attention and we would encourage you to continue to raise any issues of concern as your participation in the management of the park is of great importance to us.


Kind Regards

Michelle van der Merwe
Regional Tourism Manager, Nxanatseni Region, Kruger National Park
South African National Parks (SANParks)

Office No.: 013-7353510
Mobile No.: 0826019354
E-mail Address: michelle.vandermerwe@sanparks.org
Web address: http://www.sanparks.org


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Bushcraft
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Re: Bicycles in Kruger

Post by Bushcraft »

Thanks Serval,

I think many of us know the rule, but why isn’t it enforced?

BTW, I spotted more adults than kids riding around.

If it’s a rule, then stop the people at the entrance gates that have bicycles tied all over the place and ask where they intend to use them. If they don’t have a booking for the Olifants bicycle story or aren’t going to Mozambique, then sorry no entry with bicycles.


serval
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Re: Bicycles in Kruger

Post by serval »

Bushcraft wrote:I think many of us know the rule, but why isn’t it enforced?
The answer can be found in that Glen Phillips was quoted recently in a newspaper article on developments in KNP as saying "... I can’t understand why bicycles are not allowed in the camps" .


iNdlovu
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Re: Bicycles in Kruger

Post by iNdlovu »

Loose mouthed twit, all he did was undermine the current rules. If I was CEO I would have fired him for that.
But then again he gave us some insight to the new holiday resort destination that Kruger will become, next we'll have a suggestion by one of the board members for a fun fare with big wheels and all those money burning rides. Hey why not a circus with real indian elephant, bears, tigers and stuff for the people that don't actually want to go game viewing in official vehicles. A zoo with the final 2 Kruger Rhinos may also be a good idea.


Valandrich
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Re: Bicycles in Kruger

Post by Valandrich »

Yes I know I'm an old fart, but Kruger should not be about bicycles or skateboards...............if you want to ride them, please find a suitable pleasure resort in which to do so.

I have visited the park, firstly as a young person, then as a mother, and as the years have progressed as an aunty, and great aunty, and never have we even thought to bring bikes with us.

I'm not even saying that all children on bikes are badly behaved, but the rules say it is not allowed, so if I see any, I will be straight to reception to show them my permit with the park rules.

If more of us complain, maybe the message to staff will start to sink in.


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Sprocky
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Re: Bicycles in Kruger

Post by Sprocky »

Well said you old fart.

I agree with you Val. I reported someone the other day for drinking beer in a bird hide, but I think it was only out of jealousy as it was hot and that beer looked good. If he had offered I would have accepted and not said a word.


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