Olympic mountain bike racer Kashi Leuchs and cycling identity Chris Arbuckle took their idea to the Dunedin City Council's public forum yesterday, and outlined their vision for a "hub-and-spoke" system under which tourists could stay in one city or town, and take advantage of trails across Otago.
The pair asked for council support for a collaborative approach for Otago cycleway developers to attract some of the $47.5 million national cycleway fund being set up by the Government.
Prime Minister John Key announced earlier this year the money would be available as grants over the next three years, through Tourism New Zealand, for new cycleways.
Mr Arbuckle said he had been working with Mr Leuchs and others on a strategy that met the criteria for the Government's cycleway funding.
They brought a report they had written after discussions with representatives of groups planning the Dunedin Tunnels Trail, the Outram and Silver Stream Trails, the East Otago Trail and the Three Peaks Trail, all seeking government funding.
The report gave overviews of each of the trails, the benefits to tourism and the economy.
The report would be sent in support of the four applications.
The deadline for applying for the funding was December 18.
Mr Leuchs said living overseas he saw "massive" interest in cycle destinations for tourism, and Dunedin had a great opportunity to capitalise.
Government representatives told him the individual trails were more likely to get funding through collaboration.
Mr Arbuckle said the proposals had to stand up individually to fit with funding criteria.
"We're up against some pretty fantastic proposals around New Zealand."
The group wanted the council to "stay on board" with the idea and sought an indication, if the proposals were successful, the council would work with groups in preparing feasibility studies.
Most of the trails were on city, regional or district council land, and would not be able to proceed without support.
The pair had met Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin, who said the initiative should be supported.
