More and more municipalities are opting for a PumpTrack because it is one of the few sports facilities that truly caters to everyone: from toddlers on balance bikes to adults on BMX bikes. PumpTracks combine a broad target audience reach with low maintenance costs, a long lifespan, and demonstrable safety in accordance with Dutch legislation. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about PumpTracks, from target audience and costs to regulations and the installation process.
What makes a PumpTrack suitable for all ages?
A PumpTrack is suitable for all ages because the design requires no minimum speed or technical skill level. You ride through a continuous course of hills and curves under your own power, without pedaling. This makes it accessible to a three-year-old on a balance bike, as well as to a teenager on a skateboard or an adult on a mountain bike.
What a asphalt PumpTrack What makes it so special is that it is not tied to one type of user or one type of vehicle. You can ride it with a bicycle, BMX, skateboard, scooter, or inline skates. This distinguishes a PumpTrack from traditional playground equipment (which stops at around twelve years old) or a skatepark (which assumes a certain skill level). A PumpTrack grows with the user: beginners ride basic laps, while advanced riders pick up more speed and experiment with technique.
For municipalities, this is a significant advantage. A single facility serves preschoolers, teenagers, young adults, and parents who are just joining in. This translates directly into low costs per user and a high occupancy rate. Moreover, PumpTracks are accessible to people with disabilities: manual wheelchairs are also suitable, without the need for a handbike.
How does a PumpTrack compare to a skatepark in terms of cost?
In many cases, a PumpTrack is similarly priced to a skatepark of the same size, but reaches a significantly wider audience. The difference lies not so much in the construction costs, but in the total investment over the lifespan: an asphalt PumpTrack lasts at least 20 years with limited maintenance, whereas concrete or wooden skateparks often require major maintenance sooner.
If you look at the cost per user over the entire lifespan, a PumpTrack generally scores better. A skatepark primarily attracts a specific group: teenagers and young adults with skating or BMX experience. A PumpTrack attracts a much larger number of users because it is accessible to all ages and vehicles. This makes the investment more cost-effective from a societal perspective.
An overview of the key differences:
- Target audience: A skatepark focuses on a specific age and skill group; a PumpTrack caters to everyone from toddlers to adults.
- Lifespan: Asphalt PumpTrack minimum 20 years; wooden or concrete skatepark often shorter with intensive use.
- Maintenance: Asphalt requires major maintenance less frequently than wood or concrete.
- Certification: Pump Tracks are certified according to NEN-EN14974; this is less standard at skate parks.
- Space usage: Both facilities can be deployed compactly, but a PumpTrack is more flexible in shape.
Do you want to see what has already been achieved in other municipalities? View our completed projects for concrete examples and dimensions.
Want to have an asphalt PumpTrack installed?
500+ tracks worldwide · UCI certified · 5-year warranty
What legal requirements apply to a PumpTrack in the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands, publicly accessible PumpTracks fall under the Amusement and Playground Equipment Act (WAS). This means that the PumpTrack must comply with the NEN-EN14974 standard, the European standard for skateparks and similar facilities. After construction, the track is inspected and the municipality receives an official certificate.
The WAS legislation is in place to guarantee the safety of users. For municipalities, this is an important point of attention: a facility that does not comply with the WAS may not be offered to the public. By choosing a certified provider, you, as a municipality, have the assurance that the course meets all legal requirements and that, in the event of an inspection or an incident, you can demonstrate that safety is ensured.
In addition to the initial certification, it is advisable to have annual inspections carried out. The WAS stipulates that owners of playground equipment and similar facilities must actively monitor safety. An annual inspection by a recognized party provides the municipality with legal protection and keeps the course in good condition.
How much space do you need for a PumpTrack?
A PumpTrack can be installed on an area of approximately 200 to 300 square meters for an entry-level model. For a full-fledged track that can serve multiple users simultaneously, you should expect 500 to 1.000 square meters. The exact dimensions depend on the design, the target audience, and the available budget.
The advantage of a PumpTrack compared to many other sports facilities is its flexibility in shape. A PumpTrack adapts to the available space: an elongated plot, an angular location, or terrain with slight elevation differences are all usable. This also makes a PumpTrack attractive for municipalities with scarce land, where every square meter must be utilized optimally.
Safety zones around the track also play a role in determining the required space. There must be sufficient clearance around the road surface for users stopping or swerving. A good design takes this into account and integrates the track into the surroundings in such a way that local residents are not inconvenienced.
What are the maintenance costs of an asphalt PumpTrack?
The maintenance costs of an asphalt PumpTrack are low compared to other sports facilities. Annual maintenance consists primarily of a visual inspection, minor repairs to the asphalt surface, and checking the drainage. The total annual maintenance costs are typically significantly lower than those of a wooden playground or an artificial turf field.
Asphalt is by nature a durable material that is resistant to weathering, heavy use, and vandalism. Unlike wood, it does not rot, and unlike concrete, it cracks less easily with temperature changes. This explains why the lifespan of an asphalt PumpTrack is at least 20 years, and why the total costs over that period compare favorably to alternatives.
For municipalities seeking certainty regarding maintenance costs, an annual maintenance contract is a good option. Velosolutions offers annual inspection and maintenance, which can also be purchased via a maintenance contract. This allows you to know the costs in advance, avoid surprises, and ensure the track always meets safety standards. A well-maintained PumpTrack also retains its appeal to users, keeping occupancy rates high.
How does the process of a PumpTrack proceed from design to delivery?
The process from design to completion of a PumpTrack proceeds in a number of fixed steps: a consultation, a site analysis, a custom design, construction, and finally inspection and certification. The entire process takes several months on average, depending on the municipality's planning procedures and the availability of the site.
A structured overview of the steps:
- Consultation: Discussion of wishes, budget, location, and target group
- Location analysis: Assessment of available space, soil conditions, and surroundings
- Custom design: A 3D design that aligns with the location and the intended users
- Construction: Professional construction with specialized manual handling of the asphalt
- Inspection and certification: Inspection by a recognized inspector and issuance of the WAS certificate
- Delivery: Transfer of the track to the municipality, including documentation and guarantee
For municipalities still in the orientation phase, it is useful to know that the process can also offer support to initiators from the community. Residents who wish to realize a PumpTrack in their neighborhood can be assisted with arguments, a step-by-step plan, and tools to build support. This makes it easier for a municipality to make a decision that is supported by the community.
How Velosolutions helps realize a PumpTrack
Velosolutions is the market leader in the Netherlands with over 100 completed PumpTracks and 12 years of experience. We guide municipalities and recreation parks from the initial consultation through to completion and annual maintenance. This means that you, as a municipality, are completely unburdened: we are familiar with WAS legislation, the NEN-EN14974 standard, and the practical challenges of installation in public spaces.
What we offer:
- Custom design, tailored to location, target audience, and budget
- Professional installation with specialized manual handling of the asphalt
- Certification according to WAS and NEN-EN14974, including official certificate
- 5-year warranty on all PumpTracks
- Annual inspection and maintenance to keep the course in top condition, also available via a maintenance contract.
- Wearing a helmet is mandatory on Velosolutions' PumpTracks.
- Support for initiators who want to convince their municipality
Read more about us and discover why municipalities throughout the Netherlands choose Velosolutions. Do you want to know what a PumpTrack can mean for your municipality or recreation park? Request a no-obligation consultation and we are happy to think along with you.
