Calgary biking group calls on city to build public dirt jumps

A Calgary biking group is calling on the city to build public dirt jumps, saying without them there is a void in the cycling community.

The Jump and Bike Skills Association of Calgary (JABSAC) says demand is growing for designated dirt jump parks "to provide safe, organized and progressive environments for riders of all skill levels."

JABSAC released a report Thursday that examines public desire for more dirt jumps in Calgary, their benefits to the community and suggestions for getting them built.

The report also highlights the success of bike parks with dirt jumps in other communities in Alberta and British Columbia, such as Chestermere, Red Deer, Nanaimo and Kamloops, among others. 

In a statement to CBC News, the city said it has no current plans to build public dirt jumps, but is open to hearing about desires for new amenities from recreational groups. 

"There are four City of Calgary bike pump tracks that are free to use in our parks, designed for cycling enthusiasts of all ages," the city said.

John Taplin, president of JABSAC, says Calgary's biking community loves the city's existing pump tracks, but without more dirt jumps, riders are either building their own unsanctioned tracks or travelling elsewhere to access recreational cycling spaces.

"We've seen this success of these pump tracks and kids are progressing and we want them to be able to go to the next level. So we really want to be able to invest in public infrastructure for spaces for people to do that safely," Taplin said.

"We really need a space for people who are intermediate to expert riders to be able to show their skills off and progress in that skill development."

He says the main difference between pump tracks and dirt jumps is the ability for riders to perform aerial tricks. He hopes to engage with the city on a path to getting dirt jumps built in Calgary.

Alexander Boyd, a JABSAC member who has 25 years of experience building dirt jumps, says the city should look at other bike parks across Canada as examples of successful implementations of public dirt jumps.

"A great example is Stevie Smith Bike Park on Vancouver Island. That is what I would consider a top class facility in terms of public dirt jumps. They've really nailed it over there," Boyd said.

"I think if this is going to be done, it has to be done properly."

When it comes to designing dirt jumps for all riders, Boyd uses ski hills as an analogy for how to create a place where beginners can cut their teeth and those more advanced can flex their skills. 

"To start, you just learn to go down the bunny hill, right? That's your dedicated section for learning how to how to ski or snowboard. Then, you progress on to, let's say, a regular green hill.... The pump track is the bunny hill [for biking]. Essentially you're learning to ride, you're learning to pump, use that momentum," he said.

"You wouldn't go to a ski slope and go straight down double black," he said.