IT'S about to get a whole lot easier to get around town on two wheels.
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The Forest Road Cycle Path, which leads to the Tamworth Mountain Bike Park, has almost been completed.
The path is set to make the Forest Road mountain bike haven even more of a drawcard for the city, both for people who live here and those looking to move to the regions.
Jeff Benson from Tamworth Mountain Bikers said there's been a bike riding boom since the start of the pandemic.
And, Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) estimates show visitor numbers could again double - or even triple - with the completion of the new pedestrian and cyclist pathway.
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"So we've seen this increase which is incredible, and once the word gets around even more, we'll see this path will actually have a lot of traffic on it with people coming up to see these wonderful facilities that we've got here."
Mr Benson said the "droves" of visitors include travellers coming to check out the facility, and local residents coming out to enjoy the sunshine with a ride or walk.
The wheels are still turning on putting the final touches on the path, which is purpose-built and extends from town out to the park, to give safer access to visitors on bikes or on foot.
Mr Benson said the opening has been timed well.
"We've had beautiful rain so the countryside looks absolutely spectacular and there is some great wildlife ... it's tremendous," he said.
Tamworth mayor Col Murray said the mountain bike complex and new path are great assets for Tamworth locals, but could also help sway people looking for a tree change.
"This ensures all cyclists young and old have safe access to this wonderful facility we have here ... and this is one of those critical investments that helps make the city livable," he said.
"We need to have a full suite of attractions for any pending residents because there is lots of competition around the regions and this is what helps make the Tamworth region even more attractive."
The entire path project has cost almost $600,000 and has been funded by the state government and TRC.