There was a front-page story in the newspaper this week about the number of cycling related Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) claims, alongside a cautionary piece on riding our trails, especially the magnificent Lake Dunstan trail.  

Lots of figures were given about the number of injuries, for instance that nationally electric bike (e-bike) related claims went from 93 in 2016 to 1,271 in 2021.  

Those figures lacked a crucial piece of context however, namely the huge increase in numbers of people with e-bikes. 

I doubt I knew anyone who had an e-bike in 2016 yet they are very common today, so of course the number of injuries will have increased accordingly.

The overall message that people need to take care when riding these machines was absolutely bang on point though. 

Tourism Central Otago has made great videos about bike safety on our trails, and I know local operators are very conscious about people’s ability to handle heavier e-bikes on them, especially the Lake Dunstan trail. 

Just like car safety though, it all comes down to people biking to the conditions and to their ability.

 The newspaper had a Facebook post up seeking people’s experiences on the trail and the thing that amazed me in the comments was the number of people stating that the trail should be one way. 

Simple seeming solutions often are not good ones.  The biggest single factor in keeping speed down is that there could be someone coming toward you around the next corner. 

And then there is the vexed question of how a one-way system would be policed, because carnage would ensue if one-way was put in and anyone went the wrong way, either deliberately or not.

I've ridden the trail a number of times and it is really simple - don't be an idiot and try to go fast.

Secondly, don't be an idiot and try to ride it when you don't have the ability, experience and fitness to do so safely and thirdly, don't be an idiot.

If everyone sticks to those rules, there will still be some mishaps but they will be greatly reduced and the positive benefits of people getting out and riding the trail will well outweigh the consequences that come with any physical pursuit like this.