Electric bike park proposed for Gold Coast's iconic Reedy Creek track
A Gold Coast motocross track shut down over noise complaints is set to roar back to life – but this time with near-silent electric bikes. Read what they have planned
Gold Coast
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An Australian electric moto park company have secured an abandoned Reedy Creek track which was shut 15 years ago due to noise complaints from residents.
Electric Moto Parks Australia president John Bettini said he plans to transform the overgrown and derelict site to its former glory … but better.
Mr Bettini said the e-moto exclusive site will have three tracks, potentially open for night rides and would be the perfect solution for the Gold Coast’s new-found love for e-bikes.
“It has taken three long and hard years of negotiations with council to get to this point,” he said.
On March 18, their dream to open a track on the Gold Coast started to become a reality when they received council’s permission to submit plans for the project.
“We saw the need to have a safe and legal place for e-motos to ride,” Mr Bettini said.
“We can’t have our kids, or big kids at heart, riding on the streets with unregistered bikes.
“It’s not on. It’s not safe, not legal and is causing great concerns in the community.”
Mr Bettini said the Reedy Creek track would solve many issues surrounding the unregulated use of e-bikes on the Gold Coast.
“It is really important to have a legal and insured place to ride,” he said.
“Especially for our young community members, a place to ride is important for their growth and integration into the community.
“We see a very positive benefit to the community arising from the complex.”
Mr Bettini said their plans for the complex included three tracks, a “little kids” track for those between three and five years old, an e-moto style pump rack for mid-sized e-motos and a full size track for all types of e-motos.
He said the organisation was proud to be able to pump air back into the Reedy Creek site.
“There are so many people that grew up being part of Reedy Creek (track),” Mr Bettini said.
“We have received comments from all around the world from people who used to enjoy the facilities and want to be part of, or contribute to the new facilities.
“So many good memories and many more good memories to be made.”
The Reedy Creek moto track – which was for all types of moto bikes – was given a kill switch notice in 2012 after several noise complaints from residents in the surrounding suburbs.
However, Mr Bettini reassured locals they were jumping through all the hoops to ensure it won’t be an issue again.
“We recently performed an onsite, official noise test with council approval,” he said.
“The noise from the M1 and Old Coach Rd is likely a bigger concern to neighbours.
“They probably weren’t even aware there were bikes on the complex.
“Obviously they (e-motos) are reasonably quiet and residents shouldn’t be concerned.”
Mr Bettini said they were proposing to have an option to open on selected nights under strict controls.
“(We hope to open) as soon as practical but council is currently controlling the timing,” he said.
“We wish we were open this time last year.”
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Originally published as Electric bike park proposed for Gold Coast's iconic Reedy Creek track
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