TRAIL TRIPS ARE THE WHEEL DEAL

MOUNTAIN biking has gone from strength to strength in Townsville but there is a now a call for action to boost the sport, and possibly turn it into the city’s next drawcard.

Townsville City Council launched its mountain bike strategy survey to form a 10year plan.

Townsville Rockwheelers mountain biking club president Michael Brosnan said the city had plenty of untapped potential.

“There’s actually massive potential for mountainbiking tourism, that’s the push I’d like to have Townsville to have,” he said.

“(We’re) talking about trails on Magnetic Island eventually. I think certainly it would be a nice weekend trip even for Townsville people to go over.

“(And) more trails at Paluma and Bluewater.”

Mr Brosnan said cycling had a surge in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic.

But the popularity of the sport had grown since it started in the region about 25 years ago.

“Over the last 10 years mountain biking has become more of an accepted sport,” Mr Brosnan said.

Townsville deputy mayor Mark Molachino said the 10year strategy was expected to be finalised later this year.

“One of the top factors identified in council’s liveability study conducted last year was the access to the natural environment, and mountain biking is the perfect activity to achieve that,” he said.

“The mountain bike survey will inform our 10-year strategy into trail development across the region while making the sport sustainable and accessible.

“Once this survey is closed, we will develop the draft strategy and then ask residents to provide feedback so we can ensure that this is a community-led initiative.”

The survey closes on August 19. To have your say, visit haveyoursay.townsville . qld. gov. au/ townsvillemountain-bike-strategy

g )