Fence doesn't stop boys taking risks

This photo was snapped after two boys jumped the fence surrounding the Whangarei BMX Club and rode on the track without helmets or protective gear.

A safety fence built around the Whangarei BMX track to keep casual users out after two deaths there, has failed to keep some people out.

Two boys were recently spotted by a club member jumping the fence and riding on the track with no helmets or safety gear. Police were called but no arrests were made.

Whangarei BMX Club president Jon Romer reminded people the 2m-high fence was erected to keep people safe after the two deaths on the track.

"The track is designed for a specific sport and you just can't do it without gear," he said.

Just over a year ago, Whangarei police Detective Sergeant Andrew Clubley, 49, died in Whangarei Hospital after an accident at the track on May 4, 2014.

Northland Coroner Brandt Shortland found Mr Clubley died due to a brain injury sustained after falling off a mountain bike on the track's first jump. Mr Shortland said Mr Clubley was not wearing a helmet. However, even if he had been, it would not have prevented the fatal injury.

In 2011, a BMX accident led to 15-year-old Dion Felton's death, which the coroner found was an "absolute chance accident" not the fault of either the track or the rider.

Mr Romer said the club had done as much as they could to ensure people's safety. He said if people wanted to ride on the track they were welcome to when the track was officially open.

"We've got warning signs on the inside and, if a fence isn't going to stop you, I don't know what else we can do."

The decision to fence the track was the "safest priority" and until the two boys were spotted jumping the fence recently, there had been no other break-ins they were aware of.

Whangarei district councillor and Bike Northland cycling co-ordinator Stuart Bell, also a former president of the BMX club, said it was "unfortunate" the track had to be fenced off to the general public.

"It was decided by the council staff and the BMX Club committee at the time that fencing it off was their preferred option to mitigate the risk of people hurting themselves when using it on a casual basis."