We are asking Norwich City Council to use the Pride in Place funding to build a floodlit pump track at Pilling Park.

​Right now, if you want to use a modern pump track, you have to leave Norwich and drive to locations such as Mildenhall or Kings Lynn. It doesn't make sense that families have to travel that far just to ride their bikes or scooters safely, and many don't have the means to travel at all. We have a chance to change that by putting a quality track right here in Pilling Park.

Social Value:

Social Value is a way of measuring the positive impacts a project has – of calculating the benefit to society that has resulted from the investment. It’s not quite putting a price on happiness - but it is a way of trying to measure how effective a project is at improving physical and mental health, wellbeing, and community development.

British Cycling uses a Social Value Assessment Model developed by Sheffield Hallam University. Their figures show that the pump tracks built under the Places To Ride scheme are already delivering great Social Value:

• Ride Mendips/Cheddar Pump Track: £0.72 per £1 invested, after year 1
• Basingstoke Pump Track: £1.62 per £1 invested, after year 2
• Bolton in Appleby Pump Track: £1.63 per £1 invested, after year 3

We want to bring these same health and community benefits to Norwich.

Floodlights:

A track without lights is useless for half the year. In the winter, our parks are effectively closed to kids by 4:00pm. We want a space that stays open and safe after school. Places like Salisbury, Evesham, and Trafford (among many others) have already done this for their pump tracks successfully. They’ve shown that a floodlit track becomes a genuine community asset that is used 12 months a year and not just in the summer.

Wildlife Friendly:

We are committed to protecting our local ecosystem. Modern lighting can be designed with "warm" spectrums and cowls that minimise disruption to bats and other nocturnal wildlife, balancing human activity with nature.

​Working with local people:

Lighting systems are now very different from old-school street lamps. New LED systems are highly directional and they point straight down at the track. They are modern and don't spill into people's windows. They also run on timers, so the lights go off at a set time every night to keep things quiet and respectful for the neighbors.

Inclusivity for All:

​This isn't just for bikes and scooters. A professionally designed asphalt pump track is a smooth, predictable surface that can be designed in a way that is accessible to users in adapted wheelchairs and para-sport equipment. 

When I spoke with Velosolutions, they stated "We have developed specific track designs, such as the adaptive track at Fort William https://pumptrack.com/track/Fort-William-United-Kingdom-01H90QQCSW5HFH37TK2BEFQRVF which have wider turning radii and shallower features suitable for adaptive trikes and wheelchairs. 

If wheelchair accessibility is a requirement, we would recommend looking to have a wheelchair accessible track that would also be suitable for beginners on bikes, and a separate track for more advanced riders."

​Joining a national success story:

Pump tracks are being built across the country because they are such a simple, effective way to support young people. They are low-maintenance, they work for all ages, and they get people outside and active. We have a great opportunity to bring that same success to Norwich and provide a modern, high-quality space that our local community can enjoy for years to come.

​By signing this, you’re helping us ask for:

• ​A safe, local place for kids and families to be active.
• ​A track that is actually usable during the winter months.
• A sensible, long-term investment in Pilling Park.

Please sign this petition today to ensure Pilling Park gets the investment it deserves.

Please note: if you have already signed our paper petition, please do not sign this online version so that we can ensure our final count is accurate.