Hornsby, Westleigh mountain bike trails to receive $3.5m upgrade

Mountain bike enthusiasts across Hornsby and the upper north shore will benefit from a $3.5 million upgrade and extension of tracks from Old Man’s Valley to Westleigh.

Member for Hornsby Matt Kean with Dan Smith from Synergy Trails and professional mountain biker Matt Jones. They stand alongside other mountain bikers at Hornsby Mountain Bike Trail in Hornsby. Picture: Jordan Shields

• NSW Election 2019: Meet the candidates for Hornsby
• Where to vote in Hornsby on Saturday
• Labor candidates Alan Mascarenhas, Ryan Tracey promise to dump precinct plans
• Hornsby state Liberal MP Matt Kean unveils plans for new multi-deck commuter carpark

Mountain bike enthusiasts across Hornsby and the upper north shore will benefit from a $3.5 million upgrade and extension of tracks from Old Man’s Valley to Westleigh.

Hornsby state Liberal MP Matt Kean announced funding for the project, which would link the Hornsby Mountain Bike Track to the Westleigh trails.

Riders at the Hornsby Mountain Bike Trail in Hornsby. Picture: Jordan Shields

Mr Kean said an additional track would be built to join the two trails, “so riders can start in Westleigh and travel through the bush to Hornsby”.

“The mountain bike trails at Westleigh and Hornsby are extremely popular and now they will be able to extend their ride to include both,” Mr Kean said.

“Not only will this be a phenomenal endurance ride but the scenery will be some of the best in Hornsby.”

Matt Kean and BMX riders at Hornsby Mountain Bike Trail in Hornsby. Picture: Jordan Shields

Mr Kean said there is currently a walking track through the bush linking the two trails but with this additional funding means a mountain bike track can be added.

Synergy Trails Group spokesman Dan Smith said the upgrade meant the world to the community.

“This new track will be great not just for our area but it’s also a step forward for mountain biking in the whole city and the state,” he said.

“Mountain biking has never really been considered a structured sport and for a long time the local government didn’t understand what we were trying to achieve — in lobbying for this development,” he said.

Member for Hornsby Matt Kean with professional mountain biker Matt Jones and Dan Smith from Synergy Trails at Hornsby Mountain Bike Trail. Picture: Jordan Shields

“BMX is an innovative sport by nature and I’ve really got to thank Matt Kean for his support and, in my opinion, living up to his role as Minister for Innovation.

“The most important thing is that this new track won’t just affect us. This is a boost to the sport right across Sydney.”

IN OTHER NEWS