Petition for Community Wellness and Youth Engagement:

Proposal for a Municipal Pump Track & E-Bike Park

Date: July 15, 2026

To: The Town Council and Department of Parks and Recreation of Wickenburg

From: The Residents and Supporters of Wickenburg

Subject: Proposal for the Construction of a Public Pump Track and Dedicated E-Bike/Multi-Wheeled Recreational Facility

I. Executive Summary

We, the undersigned residents of Wickenburg, formally petition the Town Council to approve and fund the development of a public, asphalt-surface pump track and dedicated e-bike and bike skills park.

As micro-mobility (e-bikes, e-scooters) and wheeled recreation (bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades) continue to surge in popularity among our local youth, our municipality faces a critical infrastructure gap. Currently, our town lacks a designated, safe, and legal space for these activities. This leads to youth riding in high-traffic streets, pedestrian sidewalks, or sensitive natural areas—creating friction and safety concerns.

By investing in a modern, multi-use pump track and e-bike park, Wickenburg can proactively address public safety, dramatically reduce local nuisance policing, and provide a world-class, low-maintenance recreational hub that serves toddlers on balance bikes to teenagers and adults alike.

II. Core Benefits & Supporting Metrics

To demonstrate why this is a highly efficient use of municipal resources, we highlight three critical metrics:

1. Public Safety & Skill Development

Navigating traffic on public roads is a major hazard for young riders. A dedicated pump track offers a completely car-free, controlled environment where kids and teens can build essential coordination, balance, and bike-handling skills.

* The Playground Safety Standard: According to the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention and global park planning standards, modern asphalt pump tracks are classified as "low-hazard" sports facilities, carrying the same safety and hazard rating as a standard children's playground.

* Because speed on a pump track is determined entirely by the rider’s physical momentum and skill level (rather than motor power or steep drops), it naturally regulates speeds to match individual capabilities.

2. Reduction in Nuisance Policing and Anti-Social Behavior

A recurring challenge for local law enforcement is managing youth riding e-bikes on busy sidewalks, commercial plazas, or hiking trails. This is rarely malicious; rather, it is a direct symptom of a lack of appropriate recreational outlets.

* The Boredom-Crime Link: National sports and recreation studies show that up to 70% of parents and teenagers directly attribute minor anti-social behavior to boredom and a lack of local, free-to-use facilities.

* Proven Case Studies: Municipalities that have installed pump tracks have seen dramatic drops in youth-related police calls. For example, a youth-targeted track installed in South Wales reduced local anti-social behavior incidents by nearly 50% and was recognized as one of the top crime prevention initiatives in Europe. Following a similar installation in North Lanarkshire, local police reported a dramatic reduction in youth nuisance activity and vandalism.

* Providing a "yes space" gives law enforcement a positive alternative: instead of merely telling kids where they cannot ride, officers can direct them to where they are welcomed to ride.

3. High Fiscal Return and Low Maintenance

Compared to traditional municipal sports facilities, pump tracks offer an incredibly high "social return on investment".

* Low Cost of Ownership: Unlike grass soccer fields, tennis courts, or swimming pools, a paved asphalt pump track requires no water, no electricity, no constant resurfacing, and no dedicated on-site staffing.

* True Inclusivity: A single asphalt track is multi-generational and "all-wheel compatible." It safely and simultaneously accommodates skateboards, BMX bikes, commuter e-bikes, scooters, and adaptive wheelchairs.

III. Proposed Vision for the Park

We envision a progressive, phased recreational zone located in an underutilized, highly visible section of an existing town park. Currently there is room to expand the skate park that resides in Coffinger Park and or expand Sunset Park to include a pump track and e-bike park, which would feature:

* The Asphalt Pump Track: A continuous loop of rollers (gentle mounds) and berms (banked curves) designed to allow skateboarders, cyclists, and scooter riders to generate momentum without pedaling or pushing.

* The E-Bike & Skills Progression Area: A designated dirt or gravel-surfaced skills loop featuring low-to-the-ground wooden features, narrow bridges, and cornering zones. This area will teach younger e-bike riders how to handle the weight, braking distances, and acceleration of electric bikes safely away from cars and pedestrians.

* Community Integration: Seating zones for parents, trash receptacles, and clear signage outlining park rules (e.g., mandatory helmets, yielding to slower riders, and respecting noise levels). Many of these Parks become destinations for riders of all skill levels traveling to better themselves. It can bring Tourism as well as provide a place for our local youth to grow within themselves and a skilled discipline.

IV. Conclusion & Call to Action

Our youth do not need more policing, more screen time, or more "No Skateboarding/Biking" signs. They need a dedicated space to channel their energy, build physical strength, and foster a face-to-face community.

We respectfully request that the Town Council:

* Place this proposal on the agenda for the next public Town Council Meeting.

* Direct the Department of Parks and Recreation to conduct a preliminary feasibility and site-selection study.

* Allocate a portion of the upcoming fiscal budget or municipal community grants toward the planning and design of this facility.

By building this park, Wickenburg will take a proactive, progressive stance on youth wellness, public safety, and modern outdoor recreation.

Troy Smith

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