BMX and mountain bike dirt jumps pilot program announced for Mount Martha
After years of ripping up homemade dirt jumps in Mornington Peninsula parks, the local council has made a stunning backflip.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A pop up bike trail featuring dirt jumps will be built by kids on the Mornington Peninsula.
The local council is recruiting young BMX and mountain bike riders to help build temporary jumps at Citation Reserve in Mount Martha.
Experts trail builders will mentor the young riders and teach them how to safely construct jumps without damaging the environment.
The six week pilot program kicks off on Sunday and comes after an ongoing battle to stop dangerous jumps being built in sensitive areas.
“We hope this grassroots pilot program will create a positive future for mountain bike and BMX enthusiasts and our broader community,” Mayor Anthony Marsh said.
Councillor Steve Holland was excited about the chance to “harness the ingenuity of the community”.
“It’s just as much about building the jumps and the tracks as it is about riding them,” he said.
Mornington Peninsula Shire chief executive officer John Baker said the council had involved experts and had appropriate insurance in place to protect ratepayers from liability.
The council was forced to flatten many jumps created by young BMX and mountain bike riders in parks and on road reserves during Covid lockdowns.
D. I. Y jumps continued to pop up after Covid restrictions lifted and communities lobbied to keep the home made trails.
In late 2020 the council agreed to spend $60,000 developing a Recreational Facilities for Mountain Bike and BMX Strategy.
Early feedback revealed the bike community wanted dirt jumps built by young people in authorised and appropriate locations with signs including codes of conduct and parameters for building dirt jumps.
More recreational bike park facilities catering for a range of different abilities were also requested.
Councillor David Gill said more than 4200 people provided feedback while the strategy was being developed.
“That’s an overwhelming response … for a social issue,” he said.
“And the feedback was all about us doing more to help kids.”