Safety concerns over motorbikers and horses using Slieve Bloom mountain bike trail

The multi million Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trails built with public funds are being dangerously used by motorbikers and horse riders, causing safety concern for cyclists.

The use of scramblers and quad bikes on Coillte lands is illegal, without specific permission.

Cyclists are raising concerns that it is dangerous to them, and that it is breaking up the ground and leaving horse manure behind which add to dangers for cyclists.

Most recently on Sunday, November 3, a regular mountain shared a photo of two men on scramblers he says were about to use the trails.

"Met these 2 lads in Laois just about to ride past us and onto the trails. Told them the mountain was big enough for us all but to stay off the Mountain Bike Trails.

"They turned around eventually and I thought they would head off but instead decided to ride backwards up a different trail where they met other people on mountain bikes that told them the same. Not doing yourselves any favours lads."

Other mountain bikers had also seen the motorbikers.

"Saw these lads up there today, not good enough but they weren't the only ones, I met 2 more on pit bikes between 'Lighting' & 'Doom'. The last thing we (mountain bikers) want is for this to become a regular thing."

"I also ran into these lads today it was my first time mountain biking two lads came up a steep slope from the left nearly knocking me down they seemed like they didn't have any considerations for anyone else on the trail," another cyclist said.

More photos shared show evidence of horses using the bike trails in Laois.

"Very disappointing to see damage from people on horses on the new black trails in Laois. Sh*t everywhere and the surface broken in several spots which will cause drainage issues come winter. Not the first time it's happened and there's even a sign up where they entered to say no horses on the trail," a mountain cyclist said in August.

Even walkers are causing a danger by using the Mountain Bike Trails, according to the Slieve Bloom Mountain Biking Facebook page.

"Horse riders, motorbike riders, walkers please observe the signs and stay off the mountain bike trails. Not alone does it do serious damage but it is also dangerous to both you and the mountain bikers," the page states. 

The public were advised by a Coillte official to report such incidents.