Give Burton's young people somewhere safe and local to ride!

We are calling on East Staffordshire Borough Council to create a dedicated bike/BMX trail or wheeled-sports facility for young people in Burton-on-Trent.

At present, young people in Burton who want to use a proper bike trail have to travel to facilities in surrounding villages and towns

That simply isn't fair.

Not every family has access to a car, and not every parent has the time or money to travel outside Burton just so their child can enjoy a safe place to ride their bike.

Our young people deserve access to positive activities within their own community.

A dedicated bike trail would provide a safe and free place for children and teenagers to:

• Ride and exercise outdoors

• Develop their cycling skills and confidence

• Socialise with other young people

• Spend their free time doing something positive

• Enjoy cycling away from busy roads and unsuitable areas

We are not asking the council to simply build a track without considering the community. We are asking for suitable locations in Burton to be investigated and for local young people, parents, cycling groups and residents to be involved in deciding what would work best.

Potential areas such as Shobnall and other suitable council-owned or publicly accessible land should be assessed for their suitability, alongside any other appropriate locations.

Burton already has investment in cycling infrastructure, but young people also need somewhere to cycle for recreation — not just somewhere to travel from A to B.

Surrounding communities have access to dedicated facilities, while many young people in Burton have to travel elsewhere to use them.

We believe Burton should have its own.

Although Burton does currently have a skatepark, and we recognise the value of that facility. However, a skatepark is not the same as a dedicated bike trail or BMX/pump track.

Skateparks are primarily designed around skating, scooters and wheeled sports on hard-surface ramps and structures. A purpose-built bike trail would provide something different, with features specifically designed for bicycles, such as berms, rollers, jumps, banked corners and different levels of difficulty.

Having a skatepark should not mean that the need for a dedicated cycling facility has been met. Our young people deserve access to a range of recreational facilities, and those who enjoy cycling should have somewhere specifically designed for them.

We are asking for a facility that complements the existing skatepark — not replaces it.

We are asking East Staffordshire Borough Council to:

• Identify suitable land in Burton-on-Trent for a dedicated youth bike/BMX trail or wheeled-sports facility.

• Investigate the feasibility of potential locations, including suitable existing recreational spaces.

• Consult with local young people about the type of facility they would actually use and enjoy.

• Explore available funding, grants and partnership opportunities.

• Work with Staffordshire County Council and local cycling organisations to ensure safe access to the facility.

This isn't just about bikes.

It's about giving young people somewhere safe to be active, socialise, develop skills and feel part of their community.

A child shouldn't need a car or a journey to another town simply to access a safe place to ride.

Let's give Burton's young people somewhere to ride.

Please sign and share this petition and help us show the council that our young people deserve a dedicated facility in their own town.