British Cycling invest in Leeds Urban Bike Park
To be built at Middleton Park in Southern Leeds, British Cycling has invested in a grassroots cycling facility dubbed the Leeds Urban Bike Park.
British Cycling has awarded £400,000 capital funding towards the £1.2m scheme, with the remaining funding committed by Leeds City Council and Sport England.
Just three miles from the M62 and less than five miles from Leeds city centre, the facility will be centred around engaging families and the youth. Set to feature will be:
- A 6km cross country mountain bike trail
- A ‘skills zone’ which will feature a series of ‘flow’ trails, a dual slalom course and jump zone
- Two BMX tracks – a four-person ‘pump/race’ track featuring a start gate for competitions, as well as a scaled-down mini ‘pump’ track for less experienced riders.
- New family-friendly cycle trails
Openly accessible to the public, the trails will be maintained by Cycle Pathway, a Leeds-based not-for-profit community interest company.
Leeds Urban Bike Park will also offer a range of organised guided bike rides, coaching and training opportunities for riders of all ages and all abilities as well as hosting cross country mountain bike and BMX competitions.
John Mills, British Cycling’s head of facility development, said: “One of the great things about cycling is the opportunities it presents to people to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful countryside and green spaces this country boasts.
“We believe the Leeds Urban Bike Park project will lead to the development of a high quality and sustainable mountain bike venue which will be easily accessible to a large number of people. The new facility will provide opportunities for recreation, coaching and competition for all ages and abilities, who otherwise would not have the realistic chance due to the proximity and accessibility of existing MTB trail venues.”
The new Bike Park will predominantly be located on Middleton Park’s former golf course. British Cycling is also working with Leeds City Council and Sport England to enhance and develop the clubhouse building into a community cycling hub. Once completed, the modernised building will provide a range of facilities to support trail users and other visitors to the park, including a café, social space, workshop, education and bike wash facilities.
