Cyclists' delight: New mountain biking trails at Tai Lam Country Park will open on January 3.  Picture shows the Forest Track in Tai Lam.

Twenty-nine kilometers of new mountain biking trails at Tai Lam Country Park will open on January 3, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department says.

The trails comprise the forest tracks from Route Twisk to Tai Tong and Sham Tseng and the earth trail at the northern bank of Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, which is part of the MacLehose Trail Stage 10.

They will link up with the existing Ho Pui Mountain Bike Trail and Siu Lam Mountain Bike Trail to form a 49.5-kilometer biking. The no-cycling restriction at the Siu Lam Mountain Bike Trail during Sundays and public holidays will also be lifted.

The  new cycling network will be renamed Tai Lam Mountain Bike Trail, and will open every day.

The network provides more venues for mountain biking, which has become popular over the years. The Country Parks Committee of the Country & Marine Parks Board ensorsed the network.   

Mountain biking enthusiasts should be aware of the difficulties of some rough sections of the new network and that greater mutual understanding is required of different park users when sharing the use of country park trails.

Country park visitors must beware of cyclists

Cyclists should observe the code of practice for cycling and comply with safety requirements, such as standard helmets and suitable bikes. Country park visitors should be careful with an anticipated increase in cycling activities.

A permit is required for cycling on any designated mountain bike trails. Application forms are available on the department's website and at its headquarters, 5/F Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon. No permit fee will be charged.

Group applications or applicants under the age of 12 will not be accepted. Applicants under 18 should get their parents or guardians to endorse their applications.

Details of mountain biking trails are available on the department's country and marine parks website.