The head of a Canberra mountain biking group hopes the government's plans for a large-scale network across the capital will be one "that inspires the next generation of riders".
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The ACT government called on Canberrans to help develop its plans for a territory-wide mountain bike trail as it opened a new track out in Majura Pines on Wednesday.
Trail riders are invited to send in their ideas for an “iconic” Canberra mountain bike trail or to attend workshops to be held later this year.
Majura Pines Trail Alliance convenor Jake Hannah said they expected workshops to be held as early as June.
“We hope we can achieve something iconic in Canberra,” Mr Hannah said.
“For me personally it would be something that inspires the next generation of riders to get out there.”
A government timeline suggested stakeholder meets would end in August this year before the draft is released and opened to public consultation that month.
Plans for the network would be finalised early next year and detailed trail design would start by June 2020 at the latest, according to the website.
Mr Hannah said mountain biking was easily accessible, progressively challenging and a great way to hook into the outdoors.
He said Canberrans would "get a buzz" out of constantly testing themselves on trails.
"You soon find yourself buying a better bike and trying harder trails.
“Canberra is in a unique situation in that we live in a capital city but we can have outdoors nature experiences out the back of our home or our workplace."
Mr Hannah said it was great the government was talking long term and big picture planning.
Planning Minister Mick Gentleman said a large trail network would be a chance to showcase Canberra's landscape.
"We have a strong and growing mountain biking culture in Canberra," he said.
Mr Gentleman said Canberra's existing trails cater for everyone, from professionals to first time riders.
Mr Hannah said the new "pump" track at Majura Pines was a great way for people to start practising.
With quality mountain bike trails to Canberra's south at Thredbo, Mr Hannah said a bigger network in Canberra wouldn't be about just competing but complimenting the trails in the region.
He said there could be a chance to draw Sydneysiders as well as people from overseas.
Canberrans were invited to make their submissions at www.yoursay.act.gov.au/CanberraMTBExperience.
