Safety and promotion front of mind for Albany’s Stidwell Bridle Trail

After more than a year-long push from local horse riders, safety and management improvements that have been a “long time coming” will be carried out on the popular Stidwell Bridle Trail, according to City of Albany mayor Dennis Wellington. Councillors voted unanimously at last Tuesday’s council meeting for the city to continue to work with the Friends of the Stidwell Bridle Trail group to implement the recommendations of a new plan for focusing on the future of the trail. A working group was formed in 2021 comprising of 10 community members from various user groups and city representatives. Staff will work with the Friends of the Stidwell Bridle Trail Group to implement the action plan laid out by the Robinson Precinct and Stidwell Bridle Trail Study. The detailed 255-page report outlined four key areas of action to improve the trails, including updates to the legislative framework surrounding the use of the trails, safety for horse riders and trail quality, management and communication about the trail. It was created after nine months of community collaboration including workshops, site visits and interviews with user groups. Friends of the Stidwell Bridle Trail member Marena Williams said it had taken 18 months of significant volunteer effort to reach this point. “We’ve had regular meetings with the City of Albany — its staff and councillors — and we’ve reached a point where we’re very happy about the collaboration,” she said. “The trail study has brought us to the point where we are going to become an incorporated association so we can work in partnership with the city. “We’re happy to be part of the solution.” The initial concept for an Albany bridle trail was outlined in the 1998 Albany Trail Masterplan and the Stidwell Bridle Trail was officially opened in September 1999. The network of trails encompasses the Robinson, Sandpatch and Werrilup loops. It was initially designed and built to provide a safe off-road horse riding opportunity in the Robinson Estate area, but motocross and trailbike riders using the trails after the only dedicated motocross venue in Albany closed in 2012 have made it risky. Motocross and trailbike riders using the trails have made using it risky for horseriders since the closure of the only dedicated motocross venue in Albany, Miniup Park, in 2012. A report prepared by City officer’s ahead of last month said “user conflict on the SBT has caused significant safety risks for horseriders”. The damage by vehicles both on and off unsealed tracks . . . also significant,” it states. This included speeding vehicles and large groups of cyclists along the roads within Robinson, as well as four-wheel-drives and trailbikes. The report recommends the City undertake a review of applicable local laws to provide a clarity around what vehicles could be used on the trails. Mr Wellington said the the collaboration to improve the Robinson Precinct and the safety of bridle trail was a long time coming. “We want to get the trail back to a situation where the people can use it with their horses safely and regularly,” he said. “And we need to find another place for the motorcycles to go — we’re getting that in terms of the motorsports park so that be good for them as well. “It’ll be great for the trail users here to ride safely and carefully while enjoying the environment.”