Wellington City Council is installing motion-activated cameras after a spate of vandalism which appeared to target mountain bikers on Matairangi Mt Victoria.
The council said over the last few days, logs, stumps and other obstacles had been placed on several mountain bike priority trails in locations where they could cause serious injury if hit by a mountain biker.
Wellington City Council parks and open spaces manager Bradley Schroder said police had been notified of the vandalism and cameras which would be installed, adjacent to the bike trails with the aim of identifying the culprits.
Schroder said timber had been fastened to trees at a height with the intention of injuring riders.
Fencing and signage had also been removed around the V, Rockdrop and Shuttlecock tracks.
The council said it should not be taken for granted by riders that other trails had not been vandalised.
“We are extremely concerned about what’s going on – we’re in touch with the mountain biking community and we’re warning riders to take extra care while using trails on Matairangi/Mt Victoria.”
Schroder urged members of the public to call the council on 499 4444 if they spot any vandalism, or suspect a person of performing vandalism.
The mountain bike priority trails had been designed and heavily signposted to minimise the risk of riders and other Town Belt users from coming into conflict, he added.
“We know some people in the community don’t like that the Town Belt is a shared space for walkers, runners, riders and other track users but we won’t tolerate people doing things to put other people in harm’s way.”
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