update:
Planning Permission granted by East Lothian Council in October 2012.
Work starts on Pump Track construction on Saturday 17 November, 11 am – first stage: marking out the plan. ALL WELCOME to come and help!
In early 2012, Dunbar Cycling Group approached DCWG with the idea that a cycling fitness track (known as a pump track) could be located within the woods. We were aware that children were already building their own bike tracks in Lochend Woods, which we felt was conflicting with the needs other users of the woods, so we were happy to apply for funding from Viridor Credits to create a dedicated space for a pump track in the woods. This was awarded in May 2012.
What is a pump track?
Children enjoying the temporary pump track brought to Dunbar Grammar School by The Bike Track People in June 2012
It is essentially a dirt track with a series of bumps and banked corners on which bikes build up momentum to move round. The aim is to complete the circuit by pumping the bike with the arms, rather than by pedalling and hence it is a very good all-over workout and used by many professional cyclists to hone their skills. However, it has the advantage of being very safe to use, as the speed of the bike is proportional to the skill of the rider; children as young as 4 can become proficient on it. A pump track need not be large (search the internet to find countless examples where people have built them in their back gardens) and ours is proposed to be around 20m x 30m. It will be surfaced in whindust the same as the existing paths. An example of a community pump track which is popular with young cyclists is this one in Blackpool.
In June 2012, Dunbar Grammar School held a pump-track event as part of their Olympic celebrations, and we used this to launch our public consultation on the location of the woodland pump track. There was great enthusiasm for the idea from the participants.
Proposed Location & Layout
Proposed Pump Track Location
Proposed Pump Track Layout
We submitted an application for planning permission in July 2012, but this has not yet been registered.
Contractor
The preferred contractor to build the pump track is the East Linton firm Treelines which has recently completed a similar facility in woodland in South Queensferry.
Documentation
