Warburton Bike Park celebrated the opening of its newest trails and the launch of shuttle services over the weekend of April 4, marking a major milestone for the growing mountain biking destination.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Richard Higgins said the weekend was an outstanding success.
"It was wonderful to see the wide smiles of riders experiencing the new trails for the first time. We welcomed locals and visitors, men and women, young riders and the young at heart," Cr Higgins said.
"The common thread was clear: Warburton Bike Park is well on its way to becoming the premier mountain bike experience in Australia."
Shuttle services were fully booked across Saturday, Sunday and the Monday public holiday morning. The new services ran smoothly with short wait times and overwhelmingly positive rider feedback. Many riders also pedaled using the new climbing trails, which were particularly popular with cross country and e-bike riders.
"If you're planning to check out the new trails - or coming back for more - we strongly encourage you to book ahead to avoid disappointment," Cr Higgins said.
With the new opening of the trails, Warburton Bike Park now offers more than 70 kilometres of trails and 650 metres of elevation. Additional trails will open throughout the year, with the full 125km Southern Network expected to be completed by 2027.
Cr Higgins said that rider safety remains a top priority at Warburton Bike Park.
"No rider is permitted on the shuttle service without a helmet, appropriate footwear and a suitable bike," he said.
"We recommend at least an open-face helmet, along with riding glasses, gloves, and knee and elbow guards. For added protection, we encourage riders to consider a full-face helmet with goggles and a chest or back protector. We will continue to promote this safety messaging across the bike park website, social media channels and on-site."
Given the high-risk nature of mountain biking Yarra Ranges Council worked closely with Emergency Services to develop the Emergency Management Plan in the lead up to the park's opening. Unfortunately, an accident occurred near Mt Tugwell on Saturday afternoon.
Cr Higgins acknowledged the incident and praised the swift and well-coordinated response from emergency services and thanked them for their care and professionalism.
"The extraction was complex, and the skill and commitment of the emergency services were evident throughout," he said. "It was reassuring to see our emergency management plan carried out so effectively and we wish the rider a speedy recovery".
Yarra Ranges Council will continue to work closely with Emergency Services through regular training and familiarisation exercises to ensure all parties are prepared for possible incidents. While a response to an incident will always be led by Emergency Services, Council will support the lead agency in any way requested.
To learn more about Warburton Bike park visit the website
