Bike track Mornington Peninsula: $150,000 plan for Somers pump track and jumps
Home made bike jumps have been popping up in nature reserves all over the Mornington Peninsula during lockdown. Instead of fighting the fad, one community has decided to embrace it. Here’s how.
South East
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A bike park is urgently needed in Somers to keep kids off the roads and help fill the gap left by cancelled community sport.
Families in the small town say existing playgrounds are outdated and cater to preschoolers leaving limited activities for older children and teens.
“Somers is changing. There are a lot of young families moving into the area and there’s not a lot of facilities for them,” Somers Community park president Malcolm Twist said.
“The only areas to ride bikes within Somers are on the roads, alongside cars, as there are no bike paths.”
Mr Twist said as a result home made jumps were being created around Somers, including in nature reserves.
“These jumps are poorly constructed and are impacting community groups’ efforts to
enhance wildlife habitats,” he said.
Mr Twist help start the Somers Community Park group to develop a proposal for a bike park at R W Stone Reserve.
“A dedicated Somers bike park would provide a precinct where families could convene, pursue healthy outdoor and wellbeing pursuits, in a community-focused setting,” he said.
“Making this a community project would help develop bonds within our community.”
The proposed park includes an asphalt pump track where younger children could hone their skills and a series of jumps for more advanced riders.
An indigenous garden is also part of the plan.
Mr Twist said it would cost about $150,000 to build the park.
The proposal has been added to Tuesday night’s Mornington Peninsula Shire Council meeting by Cr David Gill.
Cr Gill wants the plan to be added to the council’s priority works program and be considered for funding “at the first opportunity”.
“This is an opportunity to help our community during COVID 19,” he said.
“Families are suffering and our young people need these activities to be provided close by, especially when organised sport is affected by the pandemic crisis.
“Plans and strategies take too long when these matters are urgent.”
Earlier this month the council added $60,000 to the 2020/21 Budget for a BMX and mountain bike strategy.
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