Oregon Public Broadcasting

There will be no new mountain biking trails in Forest Park for at least two years, according to a Portland Parks’ decision announced Thursday.

For months, a committee of cycling advocates, environmentalists and Forest Park neighbors  argued over where -- and whether -- to build new trails for cyclists.

The debate got especially heated after the discovery of an illegal bike trail last February.

Ultimately, a majority agreed on certain trail options. But Parks Commissioner Nick Fish says he didn’t get a consensus -- and he was worried about the park’s overall condition.

Nick Fish: “We’ve got to get the health of the park right first. But from a leadership point of view -- and in the not-too-distant future -- we’ll be prepared to proceed with permitting applications to facilitate additional trails.”

Fish says the city will simultaneously plan new specialized bike parks.  And it will develop eastside bike trails at Powell Butte and at a park planned near the intersection of I-84 and 205.

Cycling advocates have said that Forest Park was ready for trails, and that trails elsewhere amount to “throwing a few bones” to them.