Former world champion tries new pump track

A former world champion mountain biker has said a new pump track in Worcester is a great addition for the city.

The facility at Perdiswell Leisure Centre is the second in Worcester, following one that opened at Battenhall Park in 2024.

"I've travelled the world and seen pump tracks everywhere else, but not really had anything close to home," said Tracy Moseley from Malvern, who has won a number of British and world mountain biking championships.

"It's really easy just to put your kids in front of a screen, but actually they need to be outside, they need to be moving and this is a great way of doing that."

A pump track is a purpose-built looped track made up of bumps and banked turns, designed to be used without the need for pedalling.

Instead, riders rely on the movement of their bodies to "pump" their way around the track and improve their balance and bike handling skills.

"Pump tracks are definitely something that's evolved over the last 10, 15 years," said Moseley at the track's opening on Friday.

"It's amazing, things have changed so much, cycling has become a much bigger sport and it can only keep growing if we keep creating these facilities."

Shaun Scarfe, from Four One Four Skateparks, which designed and built the £210,000 track, said local authorities were now making more enquiries about pump tracks than about skateparks.

"I think that is down to the wider inclusion of pump tracks," he said. "At a skatepark, your dad's probably not going to sit at the side and watch.

"Here, your dad can jump on his bike and roll around himself."

Scarfe added that pump tracks were suitable for mountain bikes, BMX bikes, roller skates, scooters and even wheelchairs.

Deputy leader of the city council Jabba Riaz, who cut the ribbon on the track, said he hoped it would be as popular as the Battenhall facility.

"After the fantastic success of Battenhall Park pump track, we've listened to feedback from children and parents," he said.

"We have designed this track with that feedback in mind."

Dozens of people, including children and adults, turned up to see the official opening and be among the first to try it out.

Tyler, 10, said he had been waiting to have a go for weeks.

"It's just amazing," he said. "You can just have fun and be with your mates, all riding while getting exercise in a fun way."

Jasmine and Lois, both 12, said they were already looking forward to coming back.

"I like the way that some parts are quite simple and other parts are quite challenging," said Jasmine. "I go bike riding with my family quite a bit but nothing like this."

"I like the bits where you go round, where it's like a little loop bit, because they're quite high and quite challenging," added Lois. "I think a lot of kids will use it."

"I go out with my family quite a lot on bike rides, and they're probably going to come here to try out the pump truck," said Eadie, 7.

Her friend Ada, 6, said the track was "exciting" because it was a little bit scary, but she was still planning to come back.

"I like it when our bikes go bump," she said.

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