1 | I M B A B I K E PA R K S
INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS
01 02 BOB ALLEN
VISION
COMMUNITY
Facilities built specifically for mountain biking are revolutionizing the sport.
Successful bike parks and flow trails result from communitydriven efforts.
P.15
P.33
03 04 05 FUNDRAISING
PLANNING
DESIGN
Big-ticket projects require substantial funding, but the money is out there.
Gather the various partners and get organized for the work ahead.
Find the right balance of riding elements and apply them to a specific location.
P.65
P.47
P.89
06
07 08
CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT
RESOURCES
From site preparation to ribbon cutting, the build phase demands a professional approach.
Ongoing concerns include maintenance, programing, and risk management.
Advice on signs, etiquette, and IMBA’s bike park survey.
P.103
P.127
8 | I M B A B I K E PA R K S
INTRODUCTION
P.145
INTRODUCTION
I M B A B I K E PA R K S |
9
S T E R L I N G LO R E N C E
greenways, but few options for mountain biking. Or there may be a substantial network of shared-use singletrack trails, but no place for freeriding or gravity-oriented mountain biking. Are non-sanctioned jumps and features being built on shareduse trails or at bootleg locations? These are good indicators that there is demand for a purpose-built facility. Reach out to the local bike clubs, dirt jumpers, and BMX racers and find out if they want to be involved in the planning effort. Engage as many supporters as possible. This data can be
“SOMETIMES THE POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING A BIKE PARK IN A SPECIFIC SITE IS OBVIOUS. IN OTHER CASES, SEVERAL POSSIBLE SITES EXIST, BUT THEIR AVAILABILITY MIGHT BE OBSCURED IN THE MAZE OF PUBLIC LAND OWNERSHIP.” gathered in one-on-one interviews, publicly scheduled meetings, or online surveys. Useful information to gather from local cyclists might include how often they ride, what type of riding they do most often, how far they travel to ride, and other input. Polling the entire bicycling community is vital for a bike park project to quickly gain support and momentum. The enthusiast at the road racing club or the diehard bicycle commuter might never dream of sending it off a perfectly shaped dirt lip—but they understand bicycling. These kinds of passionate cyclists may become key supporters if they are approached in a respectful manner. The goal of the survey process is to tap into the mindset of everyone who is interested in the project, and then to present a compelling case to the community for investing time, money, and effort into a bike-specific facility. By carefully cataloging people’s responses to your plans, you will be prepared to answer the question, “Why do we need bike park here and now?” After compiling the best information available about what bicycling resources currently exist, and what types of potential new facilities are most needed, be sure to summarize the findings in a report. This does not need to be an expansive document—just a page or two about the research and conclusions will usually
be sufficient. MASTER PLANS There are two types of master plans that are relevant to bike park planning. The first can be thought of as the “overall” master plan that an agency has for all of the properties it develops and oversees. This kind of master plan would typically include multiple parks, recreation centers, and other facilities, and present an organized approach to the longterm development and improvement of this network. This is relevant to planning a bike facility because it will be valuable to know what the overall master plan for your community calls for—for example, if the parks and recreation department has a master plan that envisions developing a new recreational resource with strong appeal for youth. Most master plans have a long lifespan, 10-20 years, so it behooves the bike park advocate to inject the bike park concept (not necessarily the specifics) into the master planning process at every opportunity. You can’t be too early to this dialog. A “project” master plan is specific to creating and maintaining a specific facility. It reflects the desires of the community, along with the goals and restraints of the management agency, for a single facility in a specific location. Generally, a project master plan will have at least one public hearing to provide opportunities for the public to review the project direction and give input. An approved project master plan provides a framework and a clear sense of direction that guides the design and building phases. And, since the success or failure of a bike park depends on what happens after the grand opening ceremony, a bike park master plan is incomplete without attention to long-term management and maintenance needs.
SITE-SPECIFIC ASSESSMENT Sometimes the potential for developing a bike park in a specific site is obvious. In other cases, several possible sites exist, but their availability might be obscured in the maze of public land ownership. The park development process will be guided by the rules and restrictions of the land management agency, whether it is city, county, state, or federal. Apply a systematic inquiry of the pros and cons for each location based on access, amenities, and topography. Through this process, less desirable lands will be identified and dismissed, leaving the best options on the table. Do not be afraid to ask for the ideal parcel. Resist the urge to accept a marginal location out of desperation or expediency. The real estate maxim of location, location, location, applies to bike park site selection. Will the site integrate and connect to the fabric of the cycling community? How will riders access the park? Can they ride there or take public transport? If getting to the park is inconvenient and out of the way, it will affect the numbers of riders that frequent the
CHAPTER FOUR | PLANNING
I M B A B I K E PA R K S |
69
A well-planned bike park can pack a lot of riding into a small footprint. STANTEC
7 2 | I M B A B I K E PA R K S
CHAPTER FOUR | PLANNING
CHAPTER FOUR | PLANNING
I M B A B I K E PA R K S |
73
06 CONSTRUCTION P. 106 CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS
P. 109 THE DIRT ON DIRT
While volunteer-led projects have created extensive amounts of singletrack trails, the scale and scope of bike parks usually call for professional construction services. Most bike park and flow trail projects require massive amounts of materials—while it is possible to build a substantial pumptrack or jump line with just buckets and shovels, hiring a contractor will save a lot of time and effort by allowing skilled operators to put mechanized equipment to use.
1 0 2 | I M B A B I K E PA R K S
CHAPTER SIX | CONSTRUCTION
P. 114 ALTERNATIVES TO DIRT
That is not to say, however, that there is no place for volunteers in a bike park or flow trail construction effort. Although professional operators guiding heavy machinery may do the heavy lifting, there will also be plenty of finishing work that is best done by hand. Including volunteers helps build and maintain a sense of community involvement, and allows local riders to help create the finished product. Coordinating volunteer efforts with the professional builders’ schedule can be a challenging task—make sure that volunteer work days are an asset, not a disruption, to the construction schedule.
TIPS FOR INVOLVING VOLUNTEERS
Another advantage to contracting a professional bike park builder is that land managers and agency-based risk managers may fear any number of legal problems and budget concerns that could arise during the construction phase. Working with an insured contractor or consultant will go a long way toward insulating both local bike organizations and their agency partners from risk. Contractors are typically required to hold the kind of substantial insurance, such as general liability policies, that few volunteer groups can afford.
Volunteers can play an important role in developing bike parks, but it takes a significant effort to coordinate volunteer work with professional construction. In some cases, volunteer work may be included in the construction contract—sometimes called a “hybrid” approach—with specific tasks assigned to volunteers and others to the pro builders. In other instances, the volunteer work is not focused on producing features so much as creating a sense of community involvement.
Bike park projects also often require professional engineering related to site prep, grading, environmental compliance, and infrastructure installations. Often this work is divided between a construction contractor who handles site work and a bike park specialist charged with building bike-specific features. This approach is typically used when a new park (with parking, bathrooms, and other traditional elements) is being built at the same time as the bike features; if the bike elements are being added to an existing park, there may not be a need for a traditional contractor.
Here are some tips for planning successful volunteer efforts for a construction effort that is being led by a professional builder: • Safety first! Carefully consider what equipment will be provided, what limitations will be put on the areas volunteers can access, instruction on handling tools, and other safety related concerns. • Scheduling and coordination with the pro builder is vital. Having volunteers on the job site can create a sense of camaraderie and connection with the builders if all the details for a workday are well sorted, but a poorly
CHAPTER SIX | CONSTRUCTION
I M B A B I K E PA R K S |
103
desired riding experience. The best work comes out of a team that is working together and fully committed to building a quality product. These trails inevitably become the most photographed, videoed, and talked about offerings. They require the least maintenance and, above all, they are the most fun! Authors Mark Hayes and Tom Lepesqueur guide a talented team of trail builders, skills instructors, and other staff at New Hampshire’s Highland Mountain Bike Park. Hayes is the chief operating officer and Lepesqueur oversees trail development.
HIGHLAND BIKE PARK BY THE NUMBERS
Page 123: Wooden structures are part of Highland’s advanced freeride terrain.
• 1.5 hours north of Boston in Northfield, NH • 600 feet vertical drop • 22 lift-access trails in both organic and freeride styles
Above, left and right: Coordinated teamwork contributes to high-quality riding experiences. HIGHLAND BIKE PARKS
• 1 slopestyle course • 2 jump parks serving all skill levels • 2 “learn to ride” zones • 9,100-square-foot indoor training center • 1 50-foot by 50-foot airbag • 10 miles of traditional trail riding
1 2 4 | I M B A B I K E PA R K S
CHAPTER SIX | CONSTRUCTION
CHAPTER SIX | CONSTRUCTION
I M B A B I K E PA R K S |
125