Plans for a new urban bike park with competition level pump track have been unveiled for Co Kerry.
The proposal has been put forward by Mountain Biking Kerry (MTBKY) and would be located in Tralee.
The plans were presented at a Tralee Municipal District
meeting of Kerry County Council, where the local authority was urged to
designate a site for the project and also explore funding options.
MTBKY is a community group run by local mountain biker
Anluan Dunne. The group said it had been working with the council and Cllr
Norma Foley on the project for the past two years.
“This proposal has the potential to transform Tralee. It is a tourist attraction, local amenity, provides youth engagement and can be easily scaled,” said Anluan Dunne.
“Tralee is the natural location for the facility due to its population size and its established position as the county’s gateway town for adventure sports.
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“The explosion in Irish mountain biking is recognised by government through their investment of €13.6 million in mountain bike trail development.
“Unfortunately none of this investment is coming to county Kerry. This project will deliver an urban bike park at a fraction of the cost of a national trail centre.”
Dunne added when the Wishaw Pump Track in Glasgow was built a fall off in youth crime and drug use was recorded.
“We can use this bike park to host local, national and even international events,” he explained of the proposed facility’s potential for racing.
“With the right approach the possibility exists to host a qualifying round of the Red Bull Pump Track World Cup.
“With further development, hosting events such as the Cycling Ireland National Points Series also exists.”
The new bike park would have three main features: a pump track for riders of all abilities; a short circuit gravel track for MTB riders; a learn to pedal section, with mock streetscape, for young kids learning how to ride a bike.
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