Your voice matters, and we want to hear from you!
The new Pump Track is going to give the school and community a place to grow bike riding skills, safety and promote physical activity amongst people of all ages!
The project is community-based with multiple Partners being involved in the funding, development and building of the track. The pump track will cater for bikes as well as scooters, skateboards, roller skates and will be a disability inclusive site. The tarmac will be smooth and safe for any type of wheel to roll across it. This will have a highly positive impact on the Rototuna and Hamilton communities, as it will provide a safe and challenging environment for all riders of the pump track.
Our Aim is to build our pump track that is suitable for everyone, from novice riders to UCI World Championship level competitors.
: Education minustry aproved the project!
: The project as evolved to much that it is to big for the school/school bored to run, Education minustry have suggested to run the project through a Trust.
A pump track is a small circuit built from the ground up with gravel and sealed with tarmac. It has rollers and berms (corners) that can be used for all sorts of things, from mountain bikes to roller skates. Anyone from any age and skill level can use this pump track, from rolling over the rollers and berms to gapping and pumping everything on the circuit.
How might we revitalise our school's bike track to create an engaging and safe environment that promotes physical activity and creates a sense of community?
Our pump track is run down and not fit for purpose. It is run down from dirt and gravel which I and others have slipped out on because of the loose stones on the trail. I haven't seen any maintenance to the pump track in the last 5 years I've been riding there. The rollers and berms are not built to spec anymore and they don't flow into or out of the other lines of the pump track, causing you to need to pedal out of the berms, which is a problem because you're not meant to pedal while you riding the pump track. You're meant to pump the full way without peddling that's why it's called a pump track.
I think a big solution to this problem would be to get a professional in with me to walk through and redesign the Pump Track so that there is more safety and more features to progress on. As I have been riding at this pump track for around 5 years I know what needs to be changed and how it needs to be changed so that it works for other riders in Hamilton, and students from the school and hopefully it allows for some sort of Rototuna High Schools bike club or class that can introduce students to riding and bike skills.