No bikes in bush

While there are serious concerns that some people aren’t washing their footwear before walking through Eave’s Bush, potentially allowing kauri dieback to spread into the area – there are also people further ignoring the rules by riding bikes through the reserve. Recently a motorbike rider was also seen riding along the bush tracks.

Auckland Council signs have been placed at the three entrances to the reserve in Orewa, showing that riding your bicycle through Eaves Bush is not allowed.

Eave’s Bush Appreciation Group coordinator Laurie Rands says there were already signs indicating that no bikes were allowed through the bush, but they were being ignored. Council and volunteers hope that the larger signs will make this rule more obvious.

She says she once unsuccessfully tried to stop a group of six adults from riding their bikes through the bush – they carried on, even though she told them bikes are not permitted.

Last month a person walking through the bush was almost knocked down by someone on a 50cc motorbike. “As well as the risk to people walking through the bush, the potential damage to tree roots is a real concern,” Laurie says.

Further botanic interpretive signs have also recently been placed along the track by Eave’s Bush Appreciation Group volunteers.