Feilding youth push for bikes’ pump track

Youth ambassadors are pushing for a pump track to be built in Feilding similar to a $350,000 one in Napier.

A $7500 upgrade to the Timona Park bike track will start this year while the Manawatu District Council considers additional pump and mountainbike tracks.

Manawatu youth advocate Flint Rodgers said a pump track was a bicycle track that users could ride without pedalling and included twists, turns and jumps.

Rodgers visited a track built by the Napier City Council with other youth ambassadors last year.

The 500 metre circuit was designed by Jeff Carter from Rotorua-based South Star Adventures, and is a continuous circuit of rollers, berms and jumps that can be traversed by cyclists ‘‘pumping’’ their bikes rather than pedalling, and is also suitable for scooter riders.

It is inspired by a track in Mendrisio, Switzerland, and has been popular since its completion in 2015.

While Timona Park had a small lime track, youth ambassadors recommended the construction of something larger.

Community and strategy general manager Brent Limmer said a ‘‘relatively modest’’ track could be constructed for about $7500 using soil and lime.

The council had been approached by a contractor who wanted to undertake a small upgrade to the track as a volunteer, he said.

‘‘Funding would still be required, however, for the purchase of materials, such as the lime.’’

Rodgers said an extra track would add another dimension for youth in Feilding.

‘‘You could add sun shades, beaches and bins. People would come in from the country and Palmy to try it out and stay in Feilding for a bit.’’

Rodgers also said the current mountainbiking track on Ranfurly Rd was in ‘‘dire need’’ of a revamp. He visited often and said some parts were unusable due to overgrowth. ‘‘When I go down I can’t recall a time when there hasn’t been anyone else down there.

‘‘The Manawatu Mountain Bike Club holds events there and we need it in top condition.’’