Bikers in Bishoprbriggs are having wheely good fun after the town’s first purpose-built pump track was officially opened.
The eagerly anticipated new facility – located in the town’s Etive Park – was constructed as part of the wider Climate Ready Park, which aims to create an interesting, colourful, sustainable greenspace for the community of Bishopbriggs including adaptations for our changing climate.
The fabulous new facility has been designed to meet the needs of both inexperienced and experienced users and provide a resource that can be enjoyed by people of all ages on BMX bikes, mountain bikes, skateboards and scooters.
It has a circuit of ramps and turns designed to be ridden by riders "pumping" or generating momentum by body movements, instead of pedalling or pushing.
It has been designed in a way to provide a free-flowing track that that doesn’t feel cramped or stilt the flow for a rider and provides a variation of lines and approaches that give all riders a chance to hone different skills.
The track – which cost over £200,000 to construct and was funded by EDC Capital Funding - also has a safe elevated area where people can rest, socialise or simply observe the other riders.
Councillor Paul Ferretti – Convener of the Council’s Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets Committee - officially opened the impressive new track along with children and adults from the popular ‘Walk, Run, Cycle East Dunbartonshire’ group.
I’m delighted that this exciting project has now been completed and it’s great to see people already enjoying it.
Councillor Ferretti added, “We wanted the track to be accessible and inclusive but at the same time progressive meaning that it is suitable for both novice riders to coast around, and for skilled riders to push their abilities.
“I hope it will help attract more people to the park and help ensure it continues to be an excellent resource for local bikers and skaters for many years to come.”
Lorna Thomson founded the Facebook active travel group 'Walk, Run, Cycle East Dunbartonshire' in 2020 and it now has more than 8,700 members, some of whom recently joined Councillor Ferretti for the official opening.
She said, “The Pump track at Etive Park is a fantastic addition to East Dunbartonshire. I am sure Walk Run Cycle East Dunbartonshire members will take full advantage of it.”
