7 Steps to a Successful Pump Track: A Short Guide
More and more communities and cities are opting to build pump tracks. If you attend their opening ceremonies, you’ll quickly see why: these dynamic tracks are incredibly popular.
But what does it really take to successfully implement a pump track facility? It’s not magic, but rather precise planning and fulfilling certain key criteria. In this article, we’ll give you insight into the seven essential steps involved in bringing a pump track to life. Our experienced team will be there to assist you every step of the way.
1. Getting Started: The Basic Check
Do you believe a pump track is the right recreational facility for your community? Perfect! That’s when the “pre-work” begins. Now it’s time to find answers to crucial questions: Who will use the pump track? Is there a real demand for it in your community? And what potential locations could work?
Focusing on Users
Who is the track primarily intended for? Children, teenagers, adults, families, beginners, or advanced riders? These vital questions influence the design and size of the facility, as well as the required budget.
The Question of Location
Choosing the right location for your pump track is essential for its success. What makes an ideal spot? There’s no one-size-fits-all concept, and it can vary depending on the community and available space. Nevertheless, several key aspects collectively contribute to a well-visited pump track:
- Low Traffic: Ideally, your future pump track should be located in a traffic-calmed area. This enhances the natural experience and recreational factor, both of which motivate many people to ride pump tracks—as discussed in this blog article, among others.
- Accessibility: The pump track should be easily accessible for all future users. Consider public transport connections and bike paths, which are especially important for younger target audiences.
- Infrastructure: Parking, water, and electricity connections should be available or easy to install.
- Size: The size requirements for the location vary greatly and depend heavily on the type of pump track. Generally, 500-2000 m² is common for public tracks. Also, allow ample space for safety zones and infrastructure like seating and restrooms. Flat or gently sloping terrain (<4%) is ideal.
2. Feasibility & Budget: Make or Break
Once the fundamental questions are answered, it’s time to get down to business. Thoroughly assess the pump track project, especially the intended location. Now is also the time to set the budget, which includes estimating construction and maintenance costs, as well as potential funding opportunities.
Approximate Costs
The cost of a pump track facility varies significantly based on size, materials, and site conditions. Simple asphalt pump tracks start around €50,000, while you should budget at least €100,000 for medium tracks and €150,000 for large facilities with multiple pump tracks.
Funding Opportunities
In addition to your community’s budget, numerous organizations offer grants. In Austria, for example, provincial funds, EU grants, and sports grants are available. Alternative or additional funding sources can come from foundations. A popular option is for your community to convince local or national sponsors to support the project.
3. Legal Approval: Navigating the Essentials
Bringing a project to life requires broad approval. This phase is about securing that vital green light, both politically and legally.
Streamline Your Permits
You will need to address all legal requirements. This involves securing various permits that may be necessary depending on your local regulations, the size of your community, and the project’s specifics. Think about:
- Building permits: Often essential for construction.
- Environmental permits: Particularly important if your site is near water bodies or sensitive ecosystems.
- Earthwork permits: For any significant ground disturbance.
- Special activity permits: Depending on the nature of the facility.
To navigate this efficiently, connect with your local planning and environmental departments. Our team is here to support you by preparing all the detailed plans and documentation required for these applications, helping to ensure a smooth path to approval.
4. Planning & Design: Experts for the Flow
In step four, you’ll involve specialized planners and companies experienced in pump tracks. This will bring up questions about the type of pump track, materials, and construction techniques. Our team experts will guide and advise you professionally throughout this process.
It’s All About the Design
A successful pump track is designed to provide seamless momentum (“flow”) without pedaling or braking. At Alliance, we continuously improve the design and execution of our pump track facilities. Together with you as the client, decisions will now be made on the following points:
- Safety: At Alliance, safety is paramount throughout all phases of planning and construction of our circuits. This includes buffer zones, good sightlines, safe entrances and exits, adherence to safety standards, and clear signage. Read more about this in our blog post: “Pump Tracks: Safe Riding Fun.”
- Pump Track Type: From kids’ tracks to all-rounders and jump lines, what’s right for your community? Our blog posts provide an overview of possible pump track types.
- Material: We recommend asphalt pump track facilities because, unlike dirt, asphalt is durable, low-maintenance, weather-resistant, and suitable for all types of wheels.
5. Construction Phase: The Big Dig
To successfully build the pump track, both the right team and appropriate techniques are crucial. Depending on the size of the pump track, construction time varies from a few weeks to one to two months. The following topics will be relevant during the construction phase:
Environment & Sustainability: Minimizing impervious surfaces and incorporating natural design elements are essential for sustainable pump tracks. Ideally, existing green spaces on the site can be preserved and integrated into the planned design of the pump track facility.
Construction Supervision: Building authority or external project manager? Either way, the construction of the pump track should be continuously monitored. At Alliance, we supervise the entire construction process to ensure the construction site runs smoothly.
Safety & Standards: Ensure that quality controls (dimensions, smoothness) and safety protocols are followed. For projects in Austria, we recommend considering the Ö-Norm for pump tracks. We’ll gladly provide more information on request.
6. Opening & Operation: Buzz is Welcome
Is the pump track built? Pop the champagne and invite as many people as possible! Opening events are a wonderful way to generate hype around the new pump track and promote it beyond community borders. The case stories on the Alliance blog feature numerous examples where opening celebrations contributed to the pump track’s success. Remember to mention sponsors and be sure to invite all potential stakeholder groups.
Maintenance: Clarify Responsibilities
For the pump track to remain popular long after the opening, you should plan for its maintenance from the start. Who will be responsible for ongoing tasks? Potential contacts include the municipal building yard, the local (cycling) sports club, or volunteer helpers. Your advantage if you’ve chosen an asphalt pump track: asphalt tracks are easy to maintain and durable. Read more about this in our article.
Clearly Communicate Rules
To ensure safe operation, clear rules are just as important as maintenance. An information board provides clarity and ensures that even pump track newcomers feel comfortable on the undulating tracks.
7. Evaluation: For Long-Term Success
To ensure your efforts on the pump track are sustainable, we recommend continuously monitoring its use. How is it being received by the community? Are children and teenagers using it more, or adults? Counting systems like those from our partner Pump Pulse, which we expertly embed in the asphalt, can help with analysis. Equally valuable is speaking directly with people and establishing a feedback system. Only then can you ensure that your community members will continue to enjoy spending time at the pump track in the future, and that the investment has paid off.
Getting Started Made Easy
A well-built pump track offers a significant opportunity to become a hub for the entire community. It promotes active recreation and the development of new skills on bikes, scooters, and skateboards – skills that can even positively impact everyday road safety. Furthermore, a pump track has the potential to strengthen the entire village community.
Ready to get started? Use this guide, involve your community, and connect with experts like Alliance: we provide comprehensive support, from planning to construction. Contact us today!
