Riders of all ages are enjoying the new $1.15 million pump track at Barden Ridge, which was officially opened on Saturday.
BMX and mountain bike enthusiasts, along with young children on small bikes and scooters, have been trying out the track, built by Sutherland Shire Council at The Ridge Sports Complex.
The council said the 954 square metre off-road circuit of curves, dips and transitions was the second biggest of its type in Australia and suitable for all skill levels and ages.
Former professional four-cross mountain bike rider Blake Nielsen tried the new track out on Monday in perfect weather conditions and with no weekend crowds.
“This is an amazing facility, one of the best in Australia and the only bitumen track in Sydney,” he said
“This track accommodates all skill levels and will get the kids out of the house for some fun and into some exercise.
“I'm visiting my girlfriend’s parents at Kirrawee and, where I live in the Blue Mountains, facilities like this don’t exist.”
A council spokeswoman said people came from various parts of Sydney to try out the track on opening day.
“They were absolutely loving it, and not even the rain could deter them,” she said.
The fully fenced circuit includes accessible toilets, 49 car parking spaces and landscaping, with shade structures still to be installed.
Waste centre operator SUEZ contributed $950,000 and the remainder came from the state government’s Metropolitan Grenspace Program.
Some riders were disappointed last year when plans showed the facility would fall short of the original BMX park vision.
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Earlier
The new bicycle pump track in The Ridge Sports Complex at Barden Ridge will be officially opened at 9am tomorrow (Saturday, February 3).
Some riders have not waited for the starter’s gun and have been trying out the new track ahead of the ribbon-cutting.
A pump track is an off-road circuit of banked turns and features such as dirt rollers, berms (artificial ridges) and jumps requiring riders to pump their legs.
Sutherland Shire Council poured $250,000 into the project, but some enthusiasts are disappointed the facility falls short of the original BMX park vision.
A council spokeswoman said the new facility would be the second biggest pump track in Australia, with 954 square metres of curves, dips and transitions for riders of all skill levels and ages to enjoy.
The fully fenced track includes new accessible toilet facilities, 49 car parking spaces and landscaping, with shade structures still to be installed.
Recycled road materials were used to build up the base and track profile at the former landfill site.
Mayor Carmelo Pesce said the track was “the latest in a long line of dedicated and safe recreational spaces council has provided for the enjoyment of our community and visitors to Sutherland Shire”.
The pump track is accessed from Recreation Drive.
