The City of Windsor is looking to expand off-road biking but first, it wants to gather input from walkers, runners, cyclists and mountain bikers.
An open house was held Tuesday night at Malden Park to provide an update on the city's Off-Road Biking Study currently focused on Malden Park and Little River Corridor Park. Residents also came out to share their ideas and concerns with staff about the $500,000 multi-year plan.
Sarah, a beginner mountain biker from Tecumseh, said she's excited because she wants to get better without travelling out of town.
"Definitely gets me better at what I do so eventually I can compete in races and stuff but you have to know what you are doing and you have to know how to read trails, and this is a great opportunity for us to have," Sarah said.
Jan Wilson, the corporate leader of Parks, Recreation, Culture and Facilities, said the study should go before city council next month and, if approved, preliminary plans should get rolling by the spring.
The plan calls for beginner, intermediate and advanced areas and trails, along with pump and skills tracks similar to skateboard parks.
Wilson said people will self-regulate but signage will also be in place to remind them about safety.
A man who attended the open house, who did not want to be identified, said he has ridden his mountain bike for 15 years on several multi-use trails outside the area. He added that they are safe for hikers and runners as long as everyone is courteous.
"You will always run into maybe one person that is maybe not as considerate as others but for the most part everyone is very good. They come up on people, they are courteous and they slow down," he said.
Joan Murphy-Walker, an avid cyclist, said Windsor is really behind other places when it comes to off-road biking trails and she is glad it's finally being done.
"Some parks in the States have designated days when they can change the direction. So, one day it's one way and another day it's another way so that you are getting a different ride in," she said.
