Pump Track

Introduction to pump tracks for Culter Community Council

This short document is intended to help members of Culter Community Council to understand what a pump track is, what it offers a community, and the scale of a project to construct one.

A pump track is a continuous circuit of banked turns (known as berms) interspaced by rollers (smooth humps) that can be ridden on a mountain bike, BMX, balance bike, scooters, skateboards and skates. They are accessible and inclusive spaces used by a wide range of ages as illustrated in the photo above. They are typically free to use in public parks and the scene around the tracks is friendly, welcoming, and encouraging.

There has been a huge increase in the number of pump tracks being built in Scotland over the last decade. Pump tracks commonly emerge from community-led projects structured as Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations (SCIOs). They are funded by a wide range of sources including national sports funds such as the Cycling Facilities Fund, community funds from landfill / renewable energy projects, investment from local authorities, and community fundraising from businesses and individuals.

The following links from projects around Scotland give an overview of what pump tracks are like and the benefits they bring to an area.

Opening of the Ormiston Pump Track in East Lothian illustrating the popularity and wide range of users.

ITV News report about a new pump track in Walkerburn in the Scottish Borders which explains timeline and costs alongside informal footage of the track.

Our most local free-to-use pump tracks are at Haughton Park pump track in Alford and Ellon Wheel Park (both around 35 min drive away from Culter).

This is a video of Ellon Wheel Park, which includes two pump tracks (beginner track and main track) alongside a closed road loop of flat tarmac and is especially good for inclusion and accessibility.

Here is a construction timelapse video and planning application documents for the Haughton Park Pump Track in Alford to give an understanding of the scale and nature of the project.

The map shows that the dimensions for the Haughton Park Pump Track are around 35 m by 80 m.