Bike riding on national park track nets $900 in fines

File photo / NZH

A Nelson man has been fined $900 for mountain biking on Kahurangi National Park's Wangapeka Track where biking is prohibited.

Rowan John Pearce, 31, was fined $300 on each of three charges after he was found riding his bike on the Wangapeka Track by a Department of Conservation ranger on May 7 last year. He was also ordered in Nelson District Court on Friday to pay court costs of $132.89.

Pearce pleaded guilty to charges of riding and using a mountain bike in the national park, contrary to park bylaws, and to a charge of failing to comply with the directions of the DOC ranger by refusing to remove his bike from the national park when told to do so.

The court was told Pearce had carried on riding his bike on the track despite being told not to.

DOC Motueka area manager Martin Rodd said it was important people played by the rules with regard to where and when mountain biking was permitted.

"There are plenty of tracks in the Nelson-Tasman region where mountain biking can take place and where it is prohibited there are generally good reasons for not allowing it."

The rules ensured the activity was not having an adverse impact on tracks, on other visitors or on privately-owned land, Mr Rodd said.

- NZPA