HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/6/2021 Item 4b, White
Delgado, Adriana
From:Happycow Ranch <jjatmail@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, October
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:P&RC Agenda Item #4: Bike pump tracks
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Greetings members of the SLO Parks & Recreation Commission:
I’m writing to express support for an urban bike park in the City of SLO. In light of the recent destruction of the popular
(though illicitly built) “Costco jumps” and the recent explosion in the popularity of mountain biking among in youth
populations, I’m asking for the city to reconsider both the scope and timing of plans for such a park. Though not a
resident of the city, I have contributed hundreds of hours of time helping to construct and maintain trails in the city’s
open space areas through my involvement with Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers. Additionally, as a coach with
the local NorCal Interscholastic Cycling League I work with dozens of SLO-based middle- and high-school-aged kids,
helping them develop cycling skills and teaching them to use trails responsibly and respectfully.
It’s important to acknowledge that the city has committed resources to construct and maintain a bike skills area at the
“Eucs” in the Stenner Open Space Reserve. While the Eucs is a fun place to ride, its remote location makes it a challenge
for many riders to access by bike—a round trip from city hall involves more than 10 miles of riding and 1,000 feet of
elevation gain just to get to the base of the Eucs. The trails and features at the Eucs are also designed for more advanced
riders, not basic skills development. The Eucs are a great resource but they’re not a substitute for an urban bike park.
Their dubious origins aside, the Costco jumps helped satisfy local demand for a bike skills park. It was an easily accessible
area and provided features and challenges for all skill levels. It is understandable that this sort of illegal building can be
neither condoned nor ignored but it’s important to recognize such building as an expression of demand. The Costco
jumps may be gone, but that demand remains and will continue to increase. Mountain biking has increased in popularity
and many cities and other land managers have been responding by building urban skill-development facilities that not
only serve their local demand but which have also become tourist destinations. Bike parks also allow kids to develop
skills and interest in an outdoor activity without needing to be driven to the top of a trail or having to put in a lot of miles
riding uphill. They’re an enticing gateway to a healthier lifestyle.
I urge the PRC to prioritize and accelerate development of a bike skills park in a location close to schools and easier for
kids to access by bike, such as Laguna Lake Park. Furthermore, I ask you to consider a site that allows for expansion
through phased development. Many municipal bike parks have been developed incrementally, expanding from simple
dirt jumps and pump tracks to larger and more challenging facilities as additional funding is secured. Lastly, although the
agenda item references "bike pump track(s)” any bike park design should consider a variety of features, including a
pump track but also incorporating jumps, drops, flow tracks and other features common to contemporary bike park
design.
There will always be more demand for recreational facilities than there are resources to provide them. Your job is not
easy. I appreciate your time and consideration of these points and would be happy to assist the city in whatever way I
can to help make a bike park a reality as soon as we can.
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Respectfully,
James White
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