Yes, a PumpTrack can also be installed indoors. A covered or indoor PumpTrack is technically feasible, provided the available space is large enough and the floor is suitable for asphalt. It is an option that is increasingly being considered by municipalities and recreation parks that want to guarantee year-round use. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about indoor PumpTracks, from technical requirements to costs and certification.
What are the technical requirements for a covered PumpTrack?
A covered PumpTrack places specific demands on the space and surface. The minimum clearance is approximately 4 to 5 meters to ensure safe riding, even for taller users on a BMX or mountain bike. Additionally, you need a floor surface strong enough to support the asphalt layer and the load of riding users.
The most important technical requirements at a glance:
- Minimum headroom: 4 to 5 meters, depending on the design and the target group
- Load-bearing capacity of the floor: The subsoil must be able to bear the weight of the asphalt structure.
- Ventilation: Sufficient air circulation is necessary, both during construction (processing asphalt) and during daily use.
- Room dimensions: A basic track starts at around 400 to 600 m², but larger tracks are of course also possible.
- Accessibility for equipment: During construction, heavy equipment must be able to enter and exit the area.
When you do asphalt PumpTrack The material is processed and finished by hand, which is also perfectly feasible indoors. However, the planning of the installation requires extra attention due to the limited ventilation options and the logistics of material supply.
Which locations are suitable for an indoor PumpTrack?
Suitable locations for an indoor PumpTrack are large, open spaces with a sturdy floor and sufficient height. Think of former industrial halls, sports complexes, covered recreational areas at campsites or holiday parks, and vacant retail properties. The location does not need to be newly built; existing buildings are perfectly suitable in many cases.
Practical examples of suitable locations:
- Sports halls or multi-purpose sports buildings
- Covered recreational areas at holiday parks and campsites
- Former factory or storage halls
- Covered parking garages or indoor arenas
- New sports complexes where the PumpTrack is co-designed as a permanent facility
Recreational parks are increasingly opting for a covered PumpTrack as a distinctive feature. This allows guests to be active indoors even in bad weather, which significantly enhances the stay experience. View our completed projects for inspiration on what has already been made possible in practice.
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What are the costs of an indoor PumpTrack compared to an outdoor one?
An indoor PumpTrack is generally more expensive than an outdoor track of comparable size. The additional costs are not in the track itself, but in the location: renting or purchasing a building, modifications to ventilation and access, and any structural reinforcement of the floor. The track construction itself costs comparable to an outdoor track.
Global cost comparison:
- Outdoor PumpTrack: Construction costs depend on size and design; a standard municipal track starts at roughly a few hundred thousand.
- Indoor PumpTrack: comparable construction costs for the track itself, plus additional costs for location and modifications
- Operating costs: An indoor location also involves energy costs, management, and potential rental costs.
At the same time, a covered PumpTrack offers an important advantage: usable all year round, regardless of the weather. This significantly increases the number of usage moments, which positively impacts the cost per user in the long run. For recreation parks, this can quickly justify the investment.
Do the same certification requirements apply to an indoor PumpTrack?
Yes, the same certification requirements apply to an indoor PumpTrack as to an outdoor track. In the Netherlands, every PumpTrack must comply with the Amusement and Playground Equipment Act (WAS) and be certified according to the NEN-EN14974 standard. This applies regardless of whether the track is located indoors or outdoors.
WAS legislation stipulates that attractions and playground equipment accessible to the public must meet safety requirements and be inspected periodically. A covered PumpTrack open to visitors falls fully under this. This means:
- Inspection upon delivery by a certified inspector
- Annual re-inspection to keep the certificate valid
- Documentation and reporting in accordance with NEN-EN14974
For municipalities and recreation parks, this is an important point: ensure that your contractor handles the entire certification process so that you immediately meet all legal requirements upon completion. A supplier who does not offer this as standard shifts the risk to you as the client.
What are the maintenance differences between an indoor and outdoor PumpTrack?
An indoor PumpTrack generally requires less maintenance than an outdoor track. The greatest wear on an outdoor track is caused by weather conditions: freezing weather, rain, UV radiation, and temperature fluctuations damage the asphalt over time. Indoors, these factors are largely eliminated.
Practical maintenance differences:
- Weather influences: minimal indoors, a significant wear factor outdoors
- Cleaning: An indoor track requires regular sweeping and cleaning; outdoors, rain takes care of part of the cleaning work.
- Lifespan: Due to the protected environment, the lifespan of an indoor PumpTrack can extend even further than the standard minimum of 20 years for outdoor tracks.
- Inspection: The annual safety inspection is mandatory, both indoors and outdoors; Velosolutions offers this annual inspection and the associated maintenance, also via a maintenance contract.
In short: an indoor PumpTrack requires less major maintenance, but does require attention to daily cleanliness and the mandatory annual inspection.
Are there examples of covered PumpTracks in the Netherlands?
Covered PumpTracks are still relatively rare in the Netherlands, but interest is growing. Most PumpTracks are located outdoors, but there are already initiatives where recreation parks and sports complexes have realized or are planning an indoor version. Abroad, particularly in Scandinavian countries where the climate is harsher, indoor PumpTracks are already more established.
In the Netherlands, you see this interest mainly among:
- Recreation parks that want to add a year-round attraction
- Municipalities seeking solutions for accessible indoor sports facilities
- Sports complexes that want to broaden their offerings to urban sports
The fact that more than 500 PumpTracks have already been installed worldwide and that Velosolutions is active in more than 35 countries means that there is a wealth of international experience to draw upon, including for covered variants.
How Velosolutions helps with an indoor PumpTrack
Whether you want to install an outdoor track or a covered PumpTrack, we guide you from start to finish. Velosolutions handles the entire process: from the initial consultation and custom design to installation, certification, and annual maintenance. With over 100 PumpTracks in the Netherlands and 12 years of experience as a market leader, we know what works and what doesn't.
- Custom design tailored to your location, target audience, and budget
- Certified according to WAS and NEN-EN14974, including all documentation
- 5 year warranty on the track and a lifespan of at least 20 years
- Annual inspection and maintenance so that the track is always safe and in top condition, also available via a maintenance contract.
- Suitable for all ages, from toddler on a balance bike to adult on a BMX
Read more about us and discover how we help municipalities and recreation parks with future-proof sports facilities. Do you have a specific question or would you like to know what is possible at your location? Request a no-obligation consultation and we are happy to think along with you.
