"My kids who won't cycle that path unless it's clear of livestock, as often the cows won't move and intimidate smaller children."
Another user of the tracks said on Facebook she found the walkway too difficult to walk on due to the number of "cow patties" and uneven gravel due to the "cow hooves".
"I was unable to enjoy the view as i was too busy looking where my feet were.
Who allows cows on the walkway? I thought it was for the public to enjoy."
The cycleways are managed and maintained by the Hawke's Bay Regional Council and council are aware of the issue and are working on what it can do to fix it.
Stock has been grazing in the area long before the cycleways were introduced and Hawke's Bay Regional Council Community Engagement & Communications manager Drew Broadley said it was a cost effective way of keeping the grass down.
"The primary purpose for the stop banks is to protect the community from flooding and we have had grazing contracts to keep control of the grass, but since the cycleways there has been a conflict of use with cattle and trying to keep the asset in good shape."
Mr Mathews said he appreciated council got free lawn mowing from using cattle but felt public education about the land was needed.
"I think it is a shambles with the volume of stock allowed to graze there."
Mr Broadley said this issue comes up yearly and council is thinking of other ways to better manage these spaces that are as cost effective as cattle grazing.
Council are building up their trail management budget so they can better look after sections of the path and continue to provide maintenance.
"We have been recommended by the cycle network co-ordinator to prioritise this area so in the next two months during the off-peak season we will be looking into it."
Mr Broadley said council was open to ideas from the community on how to better manage these paths in a cost efficient manner.