New beginning for Heaphy mountain bike track
New beginning for Heaphy mountain bike track
1 May 2011
Mountain biking on the Heaphy Track will help attract new visitors to Nelson at the quietest time of the year, Nelson MP Nick Smith said today as the track season formally opens.
“I’ve been a passionate advocate of the reopening of the track and it’s great to see it finally opened. I first raised the issue more than 10 years ago when I wrote to the Conservation Authority as Minister of Conservation to get this rule changed," Dr Smith said.
“Before biking was banned, the track enjoyed enormous success with as many as 7000 people using the track and I hope to see those numbers return.”
A five-month winter-season mountain biking trial started on the Heaphy Track in Kahurangi National Park on 1 May and year-round mountain biking trials are also running on the Flora Saddle to Barron Flat and Kill Devil tracks. The three trials run until the end of 2013.
"Mountain biking on the Heaphy is great news for Nelson in that it extends the outdoor recreational opportunities for visitors. Just as with kayaking in the Abel Tasman, this unique mountain bike track has the potential to become a new unique Nelson activity,” Dr Smith said.
"Mountain biking has grown hugely in popularity over the last two decades and it is time it was better recognised and provided for.
"The Heaphy is such a stunning route that it will soon become an iconic mountain biking track.”
ENDS
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