Falmouth School, Cornwall wants to build bike track in woods

The site behind the school is in a designated rural area where recreational uses linked to the school already exist.

The track will include jumps, table tops, rollers and banked turns, known as berms. It will be built in current unused woodland at the bottom of one of the Falmouth School fields and will feature as an ‘outdoor zone’ where cycling will be the main feature of the area.

The school says the aim of this project is to provide opportunities for the community of Falmouth within cycling that they don’t currently have.

The track will be based at Falmouth School and will be used by students during curriculum time and many extra-curricular opportunities within cycling will also be provided to engage 11-18 year olds at Falmouth School with the sport of cycling and inspire them to cycle outside of school through community clubs including Dirt Bike School and Carrick Riders.

The woods are behind the school

In its application the school says a partnership has already been formed between these community groups and the school, to find news way to entice young people into the sport. "This new facility would be a fantastic way to achieve this," says the application.

Both Carrick Riders and Dirt Bike school will use the track for their club which will take place between March-October with a combined usage of six hours per week. The focus of these community sessions will be on developing riders’ confidence to attract new riders within the sport at participation level.

They say the proposed new track would bridge the gap, providing a facility for entry level riders and for building skills and knowledge safely within the community.

READ NEXT:

Pressure on health services in Cornwall continues despite tourists going home

In the summer months Carrick Riders only have access to their track once a week, therefore in addition to the track being used for participation, additional sessions during the summer months could also be added for more experienced riders to give them a place to train.

In addition to the community using the track through the clubs and a partnership with the Dracaena Centre, the track would also be offered to the five feeder primary schools for use at available times during the school day and after school to introduce the sport to young riders.

A pathway through the woods

The project will also allow for the purchasing and storage of 30 mountain bikes and helmets and suitable storage to keep the bikes safe and secure.

In its application the school says: "The project is needed as currently the community of Falmouth does not have any access to cycling other than a national standard race track for competitive, highly skilled riders.

The entrance to the site from the school playing field

"There is currently no provision in Falmouth or the surrounding area for "beginners" or riders below national standard and the project will allow for the sport within the local area to grow by getting more people involved, developing their skills and confidence."