As you have noticed, Kiara is under seige. Many of the trails we love are in the midst of being co-opted by the horse riders. Recently three of us (me, Joe Adnan and Huang Ying How) met with DBKL's planning department to find out exactly what is going on and what the future of mountain biking is in Kiara. This is what we found:
- DBKL has a master plan for Kiara, at least the 300 or so acres that they have jursidiction over. There does not appear to be a firm timetable for the plan, but there appears to be firm commitment to it.
- The plan does appear to incorporate a "Jungle Trail" but in no way does it seem to include mountain biking the way we think of it. Under the existing plan most of the trails would disappear. Kiara would be cleared of Rubber Trees and replanted with native Malaysian trees in stages. In essence it would get a complete makeover.
- DBKL has real idea what mountain bikers want for trails or that Kiara has become one of the top places in Malaysia to ride.
- There is some degree of flexibility in the plan and if we state our cause and show support for it there may be ways to get involved with implementing it.
- If we want to be taken seriously then we will get more attention with a common voice: an association.
- If we don't get involved we are likely to be shut out entirely.
With all this in mind, do you think it's time to give riders a chance to speak up for Kiara? How about an open meeting? Soon, like 8 PM Saturday night at Devi's corner in Sri Hartamas? Open to all. Spread the word. Items to be discussed:
- do we have enough interest in this to form some kind of association?
- do we have someone who wants to lead?
- should the association be only for the sake of Kiara or perhaps all of the Klang Valley?
- is it capable of speaking for all mountain bikers? XC, Freeride, Downhill? Should it?
- should it be constrained to only riders or all trail users?
- any other pertinent topics
To put it bluntly, the days of mountain biking as we know it in Kiara are numbered. The only hope of retaining any trails at all is to get involved and fight for our place. Those of you who think because I helped create and maintain many of the trails that I will fight DBKL for all of you, think again. I'm not going to fight this fight for you. I will do what I can to get things rolling, from that point forward it will be up to you.
If no one want to take up the challenge then that's the way it is but at least we will all know we had the chance and passed on it.
@}===Cs @ Hardtail'ers==={@
LATEST UPDATE !!!
Open Mountain Bike Meeting:
Time: Saturday February 10th, 5 PM
Place: Taman Rimba Kiara parking lot
This is the quiet little park up the road from KSH where we started the July Bike Hash in Kiara. Directions as follows:
From KL: Proceed towards Taman Tun via Jalan Damansara. At the Damansara Sprint Toll near Phileo Damansara/Eastin Hotel keep left for Toll Plaza A (Taman Tun). Zero tripmeter at toll.
- After toll keep to the right lane and at 2.0 km exit right on to Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad, TTDI.
- You will pass a row of shoplots including KSH bicycle on your left, then the (ex) IBM tower (now VADS) on your right.
- At 2.5 km turn right into Taman Rimba Kiara and park there.
~::NK the wOOfer::~
Open Mountain Bike Meeting:
Time: Saturday February 10th, 5 PM
Place: Taman Rimba Kiara parking lot
This is the quiet little park up the road from KSH where we started the July Bike Hash in Kiara. Directions as follows:
From KL: Proceed towards Taman Tun via Jalan Damansara. At the Damansara Sprint Toll near Phileo Damansara/Eastin Hotel keep left for Toll Plaza A (Taman Tun). Zero tripmeter at toll.
- After toll keep to the right lane and at 2.0 km exit right on to Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad, TTDI.
- You will pass a row of shoplots including KSH bicycle on your left, then the (ex) IBM tower (now VADS) on your right.
- At 2.5 km turn right into Taman Rimba Kiara and park there.
~::NK the wOOfer::~
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