Friday, January 29, 2021

Local Mountain bike enthusiasts hope to find community support for Pump Track build

A mountain bike group in Prince Rupert is hoping to realize their
dream of a Pump Track facility for the North Coast

The next big recreation item for the Prince Rupert area could be a Pump Track, a challenging loop of 'berms' and 'rollers' to put the city's biking community through their paces.

A fundraising effort is now underway by the North Coast Mountain Bike Association, which has outlined what their proposed Pump Track would look like and how far along they are in putting forward their plans with the City of Prince Rupert.

Through their website and Social media page, the group highlights the community benefit that such a recreation option would bring to Prince Rupert.

NCMBA feels very strongly that Prince Rupert needs community spaces that encourage people to not only get outside and ride bikes, but also to progressively improve their skill-level. A community pump track provides a space that can be accessed free-of-charge, available 24/7 and caters to a wide variety of users, from beginner to expert. 

Pump tracks are family-friendly, inclusive, welcoming, and so much fun! With almost 50% of survey respondents supporting the development of an asphalt pump track, and additionally 50% of respondents having children who bike, we believe this pump track will see tremendous use by the community

They also make note of how the sport has grown around the Northwest with Terrace currently the site of the nearest Pump Track which was completed last year. 

Some notes on that project and a list of other pump tracks across BC and Alberta can be found here, as well as from the Terrace Off Road Cycling Association Facebook page.

The NCMBA notes that they have also touched base with the City of Prince Rupert to explore the options for this community.

We are currently engaged with the City of Prince Rupert to consider several locations for the construction of an asphalt pump track. 

These types of bike parks are growing in popularity across BC, and our neighbours in Terrace successfully completed the construction of an asphalt pump track in the summer of 2020. 

Since completion, it has received extremely positive reviews and now provides a hub for riders of all ages and abilities to bike, scooter, skateboard, and more.

Towards the fundraising they are hopeful of reaching at least forty percent of their fundraising goal towards the cost of 200,000 dollars, as well as to see out community sponsorship and potential grant opportunities in the region.


Through their Facebook page, you can follow along as they update their membership on the success so far, with a number of local businesses and organizations already stepping up to help out towards their fundraising efforts.

The Association is also in the middle of their membership drive, offering anyone who renews a membership before February 1st, an opportunity to be entered into a draw for a Free Bike Tune up from Chucky's Cycle Shop, learn more about their call for members here.

Notes on biking in Prince Rupert and across the Northwest can be explored from our archive page.

For more community notes from around the region see our archive page here.



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