10 Golden Rules: Pumptracking for Parents

Pumptracks are purpose-built, tarmac-surfaced loops that can be ridden by “pumping” up and down on bicycles, scooters, skateboards or skates. They’re a fantastic community play space, best enjoyed by a wide range of riders. If you have kids that like to play on wheels, a local pumptrack can be a great place to visit.

To the uninitiated, they can be intimidating. Many require the rider to “drop in” from tall entry points, and all include features called “rollers”: so-called because they’re often too tall, steep or pointy to pedal over or even push up. Throw a handful of lightning-fast, high-jumping, adult-sized teenagers into the mix, and it can be hard to know how (or indeed whether) to begin.

Within the maelstrom of a busy pumptrack, it’s useful to recognise that the single biggest hazard is a "pushy" parent. For whatever reasons, normally well-meaning and conscientious adults arrive at a pumptrack for the first time, and ignoring all other riders, push their enthusiastic (or terrified) charges into an environment well beyond their competence: it rarely ends well.

What should parents do?

1. Be realistic.
Just because it’s there, free to use, and looks like fun, doesn’t mean it’s right for every rider, on every bike, on every day. Not all tracks are “beginner friendly”, and for many riders, any pumptrack is just too much. If they can’t safely propel themselves around corners, up and down slopes, and manage their own speed, their time is better spent with you riding somewhere else, enjoying your company, sharing their progression.

 2. Do your homework.
Check it out on your own first. Read signs. Ride there and have a go. Chat with riders. If you’re not sure if it’s right for your kids, those riders may know an easier track to start at.

 3. Phone a friend.
If you know anyone with kids that already ride pumptracks, call them. Ask if you can meet them there. Being under the wing of an experienced rider can make a huge difference to a novice.

4. Plan ahead.
Pick a quiet time. Brand new tracks might be chock-a-block when schools are off for the first month. If you can, go during school hours, or at weekends before breakfast. Avoid wet weather in the first month (fresh tarmac is less grippy), and never ride a frosty or icy track.

Regardless of weather, consider keeping knees, elbows and hands covered. Shoes with an enclosed toe, laces tucked in or tied short. Most tracks insist that riders wear a suitable helmet. Basic stuff for likely “offs”.

Bikes should be suitable and safe. Seek experienced or professional advice, ideally from a proper bike shop (not in a retail park), or a mobile bike mechanic at your house.

5. Keep your options open.
If you’re confident that your child is capable enough to try, don't make the pumptrack the “end” destination, even if you’re meeting someone there. Go on an outing: ride to the park, pass the pumptrack with some free time and no expectations: if today’s not the day, you’ve not primed yourselves for failure.

6. Choose your words carefully.

Common phrases can put unhelpful pressure on young people to perform, especially if Mum or Dad are nervous or stressed, or the setting is challenging.

If, on arrival, a pumptrack looks inviting enough, experience-focused phrases like "Shall we take a closer look?" or "What do you think?” keep things light. Try to rephrase performance-focused expressions like "You need to start here", “Your turn next”, “Be brave” as this type of language weighs down the possibility of enjoying what comes next.

7. Make friends, share space.
Say “Hi” to track users. Prioritise capable teenage or adult riders first, as your rider and these people will be counting on each other to stay safe. Almost all will be happy to give your rider space and time to have a go, providing they don’t hog the track.

NB. Experienced riders travel much, much faster than novices, so slower riders “block” everyone else’s laps. Consider how your rider can take turns fairly.

8. Be humble.
The best way of advocating for your little rider among "bigger kids" is asking the bigger kids how your littl'un might get involved. Typically, you’ll get pointers on which bits of track your rider might try, any features to avoid, advice on how to improve. They might help with “unwritten rules”, such as which directions are given priority at junctions.

It’s unlikely, but possible, that you just get stonewalled, but at least you’ll know that the riders who were there first would prefer to have the space to themselves. Keep in mind that these tracks are built with “bigger kids” in mind, infants and juniors have far more choice of places to play. You can always come back another time.

9. Stay safe.
Just like a live road, live pumptracks can include high-speed traffic, meaning a low-speed or stationary rider can be a hazard. Never step or roll onto the track without checking for riders in all directions. Assume all tarmac surfaces are rideable, so be vigilant wherever riders could roll through or jump across.

Spectate well away from trackside so your rider has to move clear of the track to talk.

All tracks differ, but riders might shout “Track!” or “Rider!” if there’s an obstruction to be avoided. Make sure that they’re not shouting about you.

From the first visit, have your rider practise pulling off the track to the side (typically onto grass) in they don’t have the speed to get up a slope, if the track ahead is blocked, or if they want to stop. If they regularly resort to the grass on each lap or turn, they may need to improve their riding somewhere else.

If your rider falls, let them get up and off the track to safety on their own, if they can. Call out to warn any inbound riders. If you can help without dashing into harm’s way, get your littl’un and their bike safe as quickly as possible. Older kids will typically check on smaller riders, so thank them if they do (and perhaps revisit point 7 if they don’t).

10. Let them be the judge.
Even with your own kids, it’s easy to misjudge the demands of a new environment. They may not find it fun at all, or maybe just for ten minutes, so have your Plan B ready. However, if your kids can’t get enough, pat yourself on the back for playing your part.

Whatever happens, I’d recommend you make your exit while they’re still hungry for more, and brace yourself for next time.