New Bicycle Pump Track and Mountain Bike Trails for Burnie

Published on 11 December 2020

Recreational cycling for fitness and wellbeing is about to receive an exciting boost in Burnie as Council prepare to design and construct a new bicycle pump track and mountain bike trails at the View Road Reserve.

Following concepts developed by a community steering group during early 2020, Council received 5 great tender responses in a process to explore a mix of cycling opportunities at the reserve to compliment the growing popularity of mountain biking in its various forms.

Burnie City Council Mayor Steve Kons said “Council resolved at its December meeting to appoint Tasmanian Firm Ridemore Pty Ltd to design and construct one of the largest pump tracks in Tasmania, to be complimented by 3 descent mountain bike trails and a family friendly loop extension to the existing pathway within the reserve. It is hoped to have the new $480,000 facility operating in the first half of 2021.”

The design and construct tender process encouraged innovation in the way the various tracks and pathways are located and developed to provide for a range of beginner, intermediate and advanced rider experiences. The Ridemore design comprises a 390 m long, 2.5 m wide asphalt pump track south of the existing carpark, on the east side of the dog exercise area, and 3 mountain bike descent trails on the hillside above the pump track. The pump track will include a separate children’s area and the dirt mounds currently used for jumping will be shaped and enhanced to create a series of dirt jumps.

For families with very young children and casual riders, a shared pathway 2.0 m wide will be constructed along the east side of the reserve to enable people to circulate in a loop starting and ending at the carpark. The alignment of the shared pathway will be designed to not conflict with the Disc Golf features.

Mayor Kons said “This project is another plank of Council’s master planning vision for the reserve, consistent with the objectives and actions of the View Road Reserve Management Plan. The plan recognises ongoing infrastructure development to support walking, cycling, dog exercise, disc golf and other outdoor exercise and recreation pursuits, whilst protecting and enhancing the natural values of the space.”

Construction work is due to start in mid-January 2021, and will be of a moderate nature and should not adversely affect the amenity of the reserve and its surroundings. Council will be writing to residents who live nearby the reserve to update them on the project and its features and will continue to update the community via the website www.burnie.net/projects and Facebook page as it progresses.

Conceptual Illustration: The proposed pump track and dirt jumps in the foreground and the decent Mountain Bike Trails on the hillside to the east.