The last two times we were in KNP our car was checked for beer at the gate, if bicycles and scateboards etc are not allowed in the park then why aren't they removed from vehicles when they are checked at the gate, to be picked up when they leave. If this is an inconvenience to people who want to leave via another gate then maybe it will deter them from bringing them in the first place.
Herewith a copy of the E-Mail I sent directly to Joep Stevens.
Quote:
"Dear Mr Stevens. I read the following item which was quoted from something you ssuggested on the forum:
Dear All,
I have read some of the inputs and would like to reflect my personal views on this, which are not necessarily those of SANParks. All the years there have been the rules and regulations trying to manage peoples behaviour in the parks and camps - no balls, no bicycles, no playing, no games, etc. I believe we have moved on and need to a more tolerant service provider, especially for children, who are future decision-makers and park visitors. What do we currently offer children? Nothing, at all, just all these rules! I believe we should relook the rules and provide better facilities for people to be able ti cycle, for example a cycling route in or adjacent to camps. I agree there should be control and bicycles should not be on the busier routes in camps where there is a safety risk and neither should kids be allowed to irritate guests in campsites, etc. As with everything there is a responsibility on cyclists (and parents of young cyclists) to behave responsibly. We need dedicated areas for kids to play, to be able to skateboard and be able to cycle. Any views on my suggestion?
Thank you.
JOEP (
joep.stevens@sanparks.org)
I for one am an avid cyclist. There are not enough safe places in South Africa for me to particpate in something I am passionate about. Out on the roads, there are drivers who have no regard for the rules of the road and lack respect for other road users, especially cyclists. THose are however, the risks that I take when I cycle. I accept them.
What I cannot accept though, is that your organisation lacks any form of control over the persons who tour the Kruger National Park, especially when it comes to controlling visitor behaviour. Rules are broken with impunity and not much seems to be done about it. When a paying guest want to complain, there are no effective means of doing so. By changing the rules to allow children to utilise bikes and tricycles within rest camps, you are opening up a whole new area for tourists to exploit more areas where they can infringe the rules.
Unforunately, people are people and this is what they do. That is why we are forced to have rules. If the rules are not enforced, or not seen to be enforced, humans will "push the envelope" and the long-term outcome is anarchy. I do believe that this country of our is close to this situation simply because there are so many who do not obey the rules. Worse still is that there is no apparent control over the rules. Speeding for example is a problem within Kruger and it is my opinion that there is s distinct lack of control over this.
I believe that if you change the rules to allow children to cycle in "specifically designated areas" it will not be long before adults start bringing their bike to KNP so they can ride with their children. It will also not be long before the "designated area" rule will be ignored and there will be people riding all over the camps first, and then at some stage, some lunatic will try to ride his bike outside of the camps.
It is further my opinion, that your idea is ludicrous in the extreme. (Definition: Laughable). SANPARKS have a primary responsibility to conserve and protect the animals from humans. This is their only responsibility and in my opinion, they are failing dismally. They allow rule infringements to go unchecked. Previous rules about not allowing any travel after gate closing times, have not been enforced. (I have personally witnessed cars driving around the Crocodile Bridge gate up to 21h30 at night). WIld and loud staff parties are allowed. (Recent New Years Eve party in Satara.)
The rules of SANPARKS are there for the protection of the wildlife and the preservation of OUR NATIONAL heritage. I fully expect SANPARKS to enforce the rules and stop turning Kruger National Park into a three ringed circus.
I have not particulary been active on your forum for some time because I do believe that your form censorship does not encourage me to express these opinions on the forum. I will however post a copy of this comminication on one where I believe it will be allowed without censorship and where it may encourage debate about the subject.
I go to Kruger National park to escape the noise of the big city. I do not go there to cycle. I go there to hear the sounds of nature as they should be, not to experience screaming children on bikes and skateboards. Unfortunately, children fall off these things and often break arms and legs. I believe, that if you allow this to go ahead, it will become necessary to build hospitals in the Kruger to mend the broken bones and until such time as this is done, there will in all probability be a need for after hours emergency travel. Kruger National is a nature reserve. Tourists need to know this and plan their holidays accordingly. If they do not like the rules, then it is preferable to myself and hundreds of thousands of others, that they simply go elsewhere.
Unquote.
There is some good news as well! 
Most of my falls though were as a youngster and no broken bones.