Young people are moving less and less, spending more time indoors, and traditional play facilities hardly appeal to them anymore. This presents a challenge for municipalities looking to invest in active outdoor spaces. Installing a pumptrack is a proven way to get young people outside, because it aligns with what they truly want: freedom, challenge, and fun, without rules or obligations. In this article, we explain why this works and how you, as a municipality or recreation park, can make the right choice.
Why are young people moving less and less outdoors?
Young people are physically active outdoors because the digital world offers more stimuli than the average playground or sports facility. Screens provide immediate gratification, social connection, and tailored challenges. For many young people, playing outside feels boring, too structured, or simply not cool enough. This is not a character flaw, but a logical consequence of an environment that no longer aligns with their needs.
Adding to this is the fact that many traditional playgrounds are designed for young children. A teenager quickly feels too old for a climbing frame, but too young for a gym. As a result, this intermediate group is literally left out. Municipalities see this reflected in empty playgrounds and limited use of outdoor space by young people aged 10 to 25. The problem, therefore, is not the young person themselves, but the available facilities.
What are the needs of young people in the field of sports and play?
Young people look for three things in sports and games: freedom, challenge and social connectionThey want to decide for themselves when they play, how they do it, and with whom. Mandatory training times, referees, or fixed rules do not fit that need. They want to see progress, improve themselves, and be able to show that to others.
In addition, the barrier to entry is important. An activity where you immediately look ridiculous as a beginner will not attract new participants. Young people want a place where they can start at their own level and gradually improve. This also explains the popularity of urban sports such as skateboarding, BMX, and scootering: you determine your own pace, your own tricks, and your own style.
For municipalities, this concretely means that a sports facility low threshold, challenging and freely accessible It should be. No membership, no opening hours, no trainer needed. Just a place that is always open and invites people to come.
What is the difference between a pumptrack and a traditional skatepark?
The biggest difference lies in the target audience and usage. A traditional skatepark is primarily designed for skateboarders and requires specific skills. A pumptrack is suitable for anyone with wheels: bicycle, scooter, skateboard, inline skates, or moped. As a result, a pumptrack reaches a much larger and more diverse group of users.
| Characteristic | Traditional skatepark | Pump track |
|---|---|---|
| Target audience | Mainly skateboarders | All ages, all wheels |
| Entry level | High (requires basic skills) | Low (directly accessible) |
| Material use | Concrete or asphalt, flat surfaces | Asphalt with curves and hills |
| Longevity | Variable | 8 to 12 years |
| Maintenance | Regularly, depending on usage | Annual, low costs |
| Certification | Not always required | WAS and NEN-EN 14974 |
A pumptrack works on the principle of 'pumping': by bending and straightening your knees, you generate speed without pedaling. That principle is so intuitive that everyone picks it up within a few minutes. At a skatepark, you need some experience just to avoid falling immediately.
How does a pumptrack attract young people who would otherwise stay at home?
A pumptrack attracts young people because it aligns with three core needs: freedom, challenge, and visible progress. You can go there without an appointment, without a supervisor, and at any level. The track immediately challenges you to ride faster, smoother, and bolder, and you see results right away. That is exactly the immediate reward young people are used to from their screens, but outdoors.
The social component plays a major role in this. A pumptrack attracts a mix of ages and users. Young people watch each other, learn from each other, and challenge one another. This informal social aspect ensures that they come back. Anyone who comes once wants to improve and returns.
Location and visibility also help. A pumptrack in a park or neighborhood invites passersby to stop and watch. Curiosity encourages participation. See also our completed projects to see what this looks like in practice in Dutch municipalities and recreation parks.
Which age groups can use a pumptrack?
A pumptrack is suitable for all ages, from toddlers on balance bikes to adults on BMX or mountain bikes. The track has no minimum age or maximum speed. Everyone rides at their own level and decides for themselves how challenging it gets. That makes it one of the few sports facilities that truly transcends generations.
In practice, we see the following user groups:
- 2 to 5 years: balance bikes and small bikes without pedals
- 6 to 12 years: bicycles, kick scooters and scooters
- 12 to 25 years: BMX, skateboard, inline skates and mountain bike
- 25 years and older: recreational cycling, sports and fitness
- All ages: wheelchair users and adapted vehicles
That broad accessibility is also what appeals to municipalities. Instead of separate facilities for preschoolers, teenagers, and adults, a asphalt pump track One solution for the entire neighborhood. That is more efficient for the available space and the budget.
How do you start realizing a pumptrack as a municipality?
As a municipality, you begin the realization of a pumptrack by first determining the location and target group, then engaging a specialist for design and certification, and subsequently going through the project from permit to completion. The entire process takes several months on average, depending on local procedures and available space.
A practical step-by-step plan looks like this:
- Location survey: Determine which location is suitable based on available space, accessibility, and surroundings.
- Target group analysis: Map out which age groups you want to reach and adjust the size and design accordingly.
- Budget determination: Take into account construction costs, but also the total cost of ownership over 8 to 12 years.
- Design and advice: Work with a specialist who tailors the design to your situation and ensures certification.
- Permits and procedures: Arrange the necessary permits and ensure that the course complies with WAS legislation and NEN-EN 14974.
- Construction and delivery: The course will be constructed and delivered with certification, including documentation.
- Annual maintenance: Schedule structural maintenance to keep the track in top condition and maximize its lifespan.
Good preparation prevents surprises afterwards. Involve residents early in the process, because support in the neighborhood accelerates both decision-making and use after completion.
How Velosolutions helps attract young people with a pumptrack
Velosolutions offers municipalities and recreation parks the complete process: from idea to realized pumptrack. We collaborate on location, design, and target audience, and ensure that the track meets all legal requirements. This gives you, as a policy officer or manager, the assurance that you are making an investment that works.
What we offer:
- Custom-made asphalt pumptracks with specialist hand finishing
- Fully certified according to WAS legislation and NEN-EN 14974
- 5-year warranty and a lifespan of 8 to 12 years
- Annual maintenance to keep the course in top condition
- Guidance from design to certification and delivery
- More than 100 completed pumptracks in the Netherlands and 12 years of experience as a market leader
Read more about us and discover how we have already helped more than 100 municipalities and recreation parks. Do you want to know what a pumptrack can mean for your situation? Request a no-obligation consultation and we are happy to think along with you.
