Topic Sheet No. 9
APRIL 2009
LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND PLAYING FIELDS
ASSOCIATION
BMX DIRT JUMPS AND TRAILS
INTRODUCTION
A bike trail for your village or town seems a simple project. Just a series of dips and hills for a few
bikes cannot be complicated, and the temptation might be to turn the scheme into a do-it-yourself
weekend involving a gang of willing parents. However, what starts as a rough sketch on the back of
an envelope might turn into a nightmare if not designed and planned carefully.
FIRST STAGES
From the outset, the youngsters who are going to use the bike trail should be involved in your
discussions. It is vital that they have input in the early stages, and be encouraged to actively
participate in every stage of the works, even to the point of acting as technical consultants during
construction works. The end-user has valuable experience and can prevent costly mistakes that may
lead to the under-usage of the trail. “Ownership” of the project brings the benefit of commitment to
the trail’s upkeep and future development, and children feel their contribution is validated and valued,
especially if working with the construction team.
You probably have a site already in mind. However, do bear in mind that local footpaths/trails used
by the public for pleasure, including walking dogs or being accompanied by young children should
not combine use by riders. BMX trails should be clearly marked and defined by agreement with the
LAND OWNER, who must be consulted and give prior consent to any alterations to the site.
Local residents need to be considered and the implications of noise and access need to be carefully
thought through and discussed with all relevant parties. Police and local authorities are generally of
the opinion that the provision of bike trails and skateboarding has beneficial effects for the community
but this needs to be offset by the very real concerns of the proposed neighbourhood in which the trail
is to be sited.
Additionally, crucial to your project is the supervision of the works by a technically competent
person, who has experience in site works and in particular the provision of play and recreation
facilities. He can advise on the suitability of the site, check levels (look at and plot the natural
contours and condition of the area you are planning to use), and point out possible pitfalls before they
happen! In consultation with the children and your committee, early design and features can then be
discussed and a plan and costings can be produced, tailored to your exact requirements and budget.
Look for flexibility from your expert, so that design changes can be made as the works progress, thus
giving your trail maximum appeal.
DESIGNING THE TRAIL
Moving from the overview of the early stages of the project, you then need to be thinking about many
things as you plan your trail.
We have listed our suggestions, and have split these into sections, so that you can consider each point
and begin to develop your own ideas:
DESIGN
Shape of trail – will it be a complete circuit or downhill run only?
Consider the natural shape of your site – if you are lucky enough to have hills and dips, this will save
considerably on the amount of earth-moving that needs to be done, or infill that needs to be brought
in.
Surface – what type of surface will most suit your site?
Can you afford tarmac, or would you like to start with a cheaper option and consider “up-grading” to
tarmac as funds allow? Think about drainage; dirt tracks are the cheapest to construct but care has to
be taken that water does not collect in dips, which can cause damage to bikes’ gears etc. Stone tracks
can be used year-round but the surface is looser, which can add to the excitement but can also slow
progress. Tarmac is long lasting, but consider the impact on the environment – would a more natural
material blend in better?
Jumps –
Tabletop – with ramped/vertical/concave access
Spine
Double hump
Ripples
High jumps – consider providing by-pass routes for younger users.
Look at who will be using the site – these can be installed at varying heights to add interest and
provide fun for all levels of ability. The layout of all dirt jump courses should be agreed before
construction commences with special attention being paid to length and height of the jumps. There
are no national standards for such activities but it is recommended that common sense should be
applied with knowledge of the individual riders’ experience and capabilities.
Where space permits it is advisable to have varying degrees of difficulty for the jumps with single
“Runs” designed for Novice riders up to more Experienced riders. Smaller jumps build confidence
whilst the bigger jumps give the “air” or thrill all riders are seeking. The provision of easy “get-out”
areas will enable younger users to gain experience and gradually build up their skills.
Look out for - runs that create collision zones (i.e., cross-overs and shared run ups onto different
jumps). Collision accidents account for most of the serious injuries, and in order to reduce risk Runs
that can be ridden either way should be avoided. It is recommended that a safety area be incorporated
into the design, known as the Fall Zone, which runs within 3m of the track or jumps. Trees or other
obstacles should be avoided, and hanging branches or foliage that may impede a rider removed. It is
important to ensure there are no hard objects in the Fall Zone.
Corners – Banked
Hair pin
Chicane
Even a simple downhill run needs the variety and challenge of a few well placed twists and turns!
Care needs to be exercised so that the maximum fun is achieved with the minimum of risk, so plan
these features in consultation with your young experts. Enthusiasm tempered with caution is usually a
good mix.
Launch Pads –
For gaining speed and adding excitement, but again caution is needed in order to maintain the fun/risk
ratio.
Add-on facilities –
Consider incorporating skateboard ramps if budget will allow. This widens the scope of the area and
attracts more users.
Have teenagers somewhere to congregate and chat? All types of teen-shelters are available and need
to be fairly heavy-duty and vandal resistant.
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GOOD SIGNAGE
Whilst a clearly worded sign or notice is only ADVISORY it should at least indicate the location of
the nearest telephone, First Aid and ownership of the site in case of accident with a list of good
advice, conditions of use, hours, ages, etc. - AND MOST IMPORTANTLY – a request inviting all
riders to wear personal suitable safety equipment including helmets!
RISK ASSESSMENT
The site must be Risk Assessed and should be regularly inspected and assessed for any changes in the
degree of risk. All forms of Play and Sport involve a degree of risk – managing and controlling the
risk is an important part of the provider’s responsibility. Hazards, however, should not be tolerated
and every effort should be made to ensure the site contains nothing hazardous. Falling off a bike or
missing a jump on a well-maintained and regularly inspected track is a risk ALL riders take. Riding
into debris, the remains of a homemade jump for example, is an unacceptable risk and should be
properly regarded as a hazard. It is both reasonable and practical to prevent through regular
inspection of the facility. The providers could be held negligent in the event of such accidents
involving similar hazards.
GOOD PRACTICE
The landowner or management group must be consulted about any additions or alterations to a Trail
or Jump layout, and permission granted before work can begin. Taking photographs of the agreed
finished scheme (from different angles) will prevent any arguments or disputes about what was
originally agreed.
INDEPENDENT INSPECTION
RoSPA or a similarly suitable independent organisation should be invited annually to inspect and risk
assess the facility just as for a Children’s Playground or Sports Field. A regular programme is
recommended for carrying out documented DAILY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY and QUARTERLY
INSPECTIONS along the line of children’s playground inspections.
See back page for suggested checklist.
INSURANCE
So long as the provider can demonstrate the same systematic approach to health and safety as
for a children’s playground insurance companies will accept wheeled sports activities such as
BMX bike trails and dirt jumps. It is important to first inform the insurance company of the
new facility and to provide evidence of any inspection and maintenance routines. At this
stage it may be useful to supply a photograph of the site and a sketch plan indicating
measurements and location of the facility.
Hopefully this information sheet will have given you some ideas and practical suggestions to help you
to plan your project.
The Oxfordshire Playing Fields Association is pleased to acknowledge the invaluable assistance
provided by RoSPA in the origination of material for this Information Sheet, and in particular, to
Duncan Robertson of Playsafe Playgrounds a company specialising in the design and construction of
BMX Bike Trails. Whilst every care has been taken in the production of the Information Sheet, the
Oxfordshire Playing Fields Association cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that might
occur or be held liable for any advice given.
Produced for Leicestershire & Rutland Playing Fields Association by Oxfordshire Playing
Fields Association, Jericho Farm, Worton, Witney, Oxon OX29 4SZ
RD/IS601 BMX DIRT JUMPS AND TRAILS April 2009
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BMX DIRT JUMPS AND TRAILS
SUGGESTED INSPECTION CHECK LIST
VISUAL or DAILY INSPECTION (particularly in school holiday times and at weekends)
A simple VISUAL inspection looking for obvious signs of hazards, broken glass, hard objects in the
fall zones equipment left on site etc.
 Check for any sign of new construction or digging
 Note date of Visual inspection and report back to CONTROLLER any adverse findings
WEEKLY or MONTHLY (depending upon popularity but more frequently at peak use times)
Carry out VISUAL Inspection (as above)
 Check layout with agreed layout (photographs/sketch map)
 Examine condition of track or jumps
- look for hard objects in fall zones
- check for overhanging trees/foliage and remove
- make good the track or jump surface with appropriate material
- remove any unauthorised equipment such as mattresses or pallets or flat boards
 Make sure Litter is removed on regular basis
 Check any gates or fences are in working order
 Make sure signs are legible and intact (and accurate telephone numbers used)
 Look for any hazard on or around the site and take appropriate action to remove the hazard.
 Document the inspection and report any work required to the Controller
MONTHLY or QUARTERLY (depending upon popularity of site)
Carry out VISUAL and WEEKLY Inspections as above but it is advisable that TWO people carry out
the MONTHLY or QUARTERLY inspection, which should be more detailed and considered.
 As well as carrying out the above actions:
- Examine the condition of the track and jumps for long term damage/repairs
- Examine the surrounding environment for any adverse damage/effects and repairs
- Organise general tidy up of site using local riders and enthusiasts
 Organise a joint work party with riders and their parents to carry out the work and if
alterations have been agreed supervise the necessary work or appoint project supervisor to
report back to management group. Take photographs of any changes.
 Document the inspection and report any work required to the Management group responsible
for the facility (e.g. parish council)
Organise a meeting between the Users (and parents) with the landowner or management
group/organisation to monitor the use and future of the site/facility (twice a year)
ENCOURAGE ALL RIDERS AND USERS TO WALK AND INSPECT THE TRACK OR JUMPS
BEFORE RIDING TO ENSURE NO HAZARDS ARE PRESENT AND THE TRACK IS CLEAR
OF OBSTACLES
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RD/IS601 BMX DIRT JUMPS AND TRAILS Check list April 2009
RoSPA BMX Safety and Planning Guide
This is a very useful publication for local
play managers such as town and parish
councils interested in providing a basic
BMX dirt jumps track or trail.
Whilst it is not designed to answer all
questions relating to BMX bike courses
the information is clear and concise with
lots of diagrams and measurements for
anyone not familiar with this rapidly
growing sport.
Most dirt tracks and trails are relatively
cheap to install and can be maintained by
the riders themselves with a minimum of
supervision from adults.
Available from RoSPA Playsafety at
£12.50 plus £3.50 post and packing the
guide can be ordered on line from:
www.rospa.com/playsafety/publications.
Tel 01367 244600
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Basic BMX Dirt Jumps track on playing field in Minster Lovell
Oxfordshire constructed late 2008 using adults and young people.
The temporary sign (shown left) reads:
RIPLEY AVENUE AMENITY AREA DIRT TRACK NOTICE
Please read before using the track;
Safety equipment must be worn at all times
The track is designed for 7-12 years old
Please be considerate to local residents
Users do so at their own risk
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The track is for non-motorised bikes
Please put litter in the bin provided
The direction of the track is anti-clockwise