A PARKITECT modular pumptrack in Cologne, Germany was the subject of a usability study with overall positive results.
We have written about the increasing international popularity of pumptracks for roller sports riders including bicyclists, skateboarders, inline skaters and scooter riders. You can find pumptracks in community parks and recreation sites on every continent except Antarctica (and really, it’s just a matter of time), and communities are getting great returns on their investments in pumptracks.
Recreation managers, city officials and sports ministers have a lot on their plate. They need to be responsive to the needs of their communities while working with limited budgets, strategic plans and many different opinions. Committing public spaces and funding for a pumptrack without demonstrated success can be a challenge.
If you’re one of these decision makers, you might be concerned about whether the commitment of funds and public space justifies an acceptable level of public use, inclusion, and engagement.
- Will the pumptrack be used by a fair representation of the community’s population?
- Will a pumptrack help us tackle childhood obesity?
- What is the most favored location?
- What is the best design or layout for my community?
- What if my community’s needs change?
These are all great and important questions!
The advantage of modular pumptracks is that if you are considering them or a permanent pumptrack as an option, they address all of these concerns. Modular pumptracks are easy to install for temporary events, test in different locations, and reconfigure or expand designs before committing them to a more permanent location.
Recreation planners in the City of Burnside, AU, for example, purchased a PARKITECT modular pumptrack for a 12-month trial across four locations. Check out this short video of pumptrack riders in the #rideburnside initiative.
Recreation managers in Cologne, Germany took a similar approach, installing a PARKITECT modular pumptrack in the city and commissioning researchers at Cologne University Institute for Outdoor Sport and Environmental Research to perform a study monitoring visitor use and report on levels of use, user diversity and user feedback.
The results of this study will help recreation managers and public decision makers in their assessment of pumptrack popularity, safety, and of the opportunity pumptracks present for inclusive recreation that helps fight obesity while building community.
Pumptrack Study Location
The PARKITECT pumptrack used for the study was located at the Müngersdorf Sports Park, adjacent to the Rheinenergiestadion train station in Cologne. Allegra Tourismus installed PARKITECT’s World Cup model pumptrack, a track with a length of 65.2 meters (214 feet) which can be set up in five different layouts. The Cologne project involved a BMX inspired loop design similar to this pumptrack we installed in Olympia, WA, USA.
The modular pumptrack in Müngersdorf Sports Park was studied by Sporthochschule Köln. Credit: City of Cologne
Study Results: Modular Pumptrack Users
The research team employed three methods of data collection:
- Automated measurement of users passing a point on the pumptrack
- Observers placed at the pumptrack
- An online user-survey accessed from a QR code on a sign placed near the pumptrack
Highlights of the Research on Use of A Public Pumptrack
- The pumptrack was used everyday during the study
- 27% of visitors spent over 2 hours at the pumptrack
- Average of 3,483 laps were completed during each day of the study
- Usage consisted of scooters (40%), bicycles (33%) and skateboards (27%)
- 88% of users liked the fact that the pumptrack can be used by all types of roller sports equipment (bikes, scooters, skateboards)
Pumptrack Usage: Frequency and Distribution of Traffic
To determine how frequently the pumptrack was used, a measuring technology called an induction loop was installed underneath one of the modular ramps. It then recorded the number of laps completed by users, measured by date and time.
Pumptrack User Visitation Highlights
Data was collected over three months (93 days, with an astonishing total of 323,919 laps (!) completed during the study period.) Here are some of the measurements that were recorded:
- Laps completed: 323,919
- Average laps per day: 3483
- Most laps in a day: 8935
- Number of days track used: 93
- Average number of users at any one time: 10
- Peak Usage: 3:00-7:00 PM
Average Duration of Use at the Pumptrack
Most visitors reported using the track for extended periods of time, with the majority using the track for at least 1 hour to 1 ½ hours.
- O to 1 hour: 11%
- 1 to 2 hours: 35%
- 2 to 3 hours 35%
- 3 or more hours: 19%
Pumptrack Visitor Composition
The study analyzed the types of visitors through three different measurements. These were:
- Level of engagement (active, passive, spectator)
- Use of rolling equipment by type (skateboards, bike, scooter)
- Age and gender
The results demonstrated a mix of users.
Active, Passive and Spectator Pumptrack Users
Visitors engage in recreational facilities in different ways, resulting in different types of experiences, whether they actively participate, or are there to observe and otherwise support participants.
Throughout their study periods, the researchers assessed and recorded whether visitors were (1) actively engaged in using the pumptrack using roller equipment, (2) currently taking a break from active use, or (3) spectators.
On average, 37% of visitors were actively riding on the pumptrack, another 37% were taking a break, and 26% were spectators.
A pumptrack clearly benefits those actively riding on the track, and those taking breaks between rides.
Darco Cazin, a pumptrack installer and mountain bike destination designer for Allegra Tourismus notes “a space for social interactions and dynamics is created around a pumptrack … every generation is invited to participate. Even for spectators, observing turns out to be an attractive occupation to linger.” (Translated from German)
Diversity, Inclusion and Sports Diversity
“The beauty of a pumptrack is that it’s accessible to almost anyone and for all ability levels. You don’t have to be an advanced rider - it’s a learning tool that’s fun for everyone.”
-Eric Porter, pro mountain biker, quoted at Bicycling.com.
One of the goals of the research was to determine what types of roller sports equipment were actively used on the pumptrack. A mix of bicycles, skateboards and scooters were observed using the track.
- 40% of active users were on scooters
- 33% of active users were on bicycles
- 27% were on skateboards
- 1% were on inline skates or roller skates
It’s noteworthy that, of the bicycles observed, “the pumptrack was not only used with specialized dirt bikes or BMX bikes, but also with children’s and youth bikes … normal mountain bikes, even running bikes for small children.”
This diversity of users is similar to usage observations of new pumptracks that are on the rise in Sweden.
“A skate bowl, for example, has limited usage to skateboarders, but a pumptrack works for all wheel-based sports and can be used by all ages and abilities.”
-Jöhan Lindstrom, Velosolutions Scandinavia
Inclusion and sports diversity seems to be embraced by the users. Eighty-eight percent of survey respondents gave a high level of acceptance with the fact that the pumptrack can be used by many types of roller sports equipment.
Gender of Active Users
While women like Khothalang Leuta are excelling at pumptrack riding, active pumptrack users observed in this study consisted of only 19% females, with the remaining 81% males. This is not far off the statistic that on average, 23.9% of skateboarders are female.
One female responded to the question “Why is this pumptrack attractive to you?” with “(because) I hope more offers will make more women want to skate.” (Translated from German).
Ages of Active Pumptrack Users
Age makeup of active pumptrack users showed 60% to be children thirteen or under, 14% teenagers, and 26% adults. The authors concluded that “the results show that the pumptrack is a facility on which the most diverse generations can pursue their urge for exercise.”
This doesn’t surprise us, but it's nice to see such findings officially documented.
Safety and Injuries on the Pumptrack
With riding surfaces and features low to the ground, a lack of sharp edges and irregular features, and a location situated away from traffic, pumptracks provide a safer setting for riders to develop skills they will need when sharing the road or trails elsewhere.
However injuries are a part of any sport activity, and 28% participants at the Cologne pumptrack reported some minor injuries while riding on the pumptrack. Of those injured, 82% reported scrapes or abrasions, 8% reported bruises. One of the respondents reported sustaining a concussion, and one respondent reported overstretched ligaments. These results are consistent with our own on the overall safety of pumptracks.
Pumptracks Unite Communities and Promote Active Lifestyles
The Cologne pumptrack research project demonstrates broad engagement among age groups, significant usage time and durations, high user-engagement levels and roller sport diversity.
Pump For Peace, a global initiative focused on building pumptracks in underprivileged communities says “not only are they amazing fun for all, pumptracks also have the power to unite communities, instill passion and promote a healthy and active lifestyle.”
We hope that if you’re a recreation manager or public official, you’ll find this study useful. This ‘proof of concept’ not only demonstrates the value of modular pumptracks as testing platforms for user-engagement, but as viable long-term investments that promote active lifestyles and build community.
As a result of this study, the public administration in Cologne purchased and installed three modular pumptracks in locations throughout the city.
Source Reference: Siebert, S., Ehelen, N., Schmidt, L. (2020). Pumptrack pilot project in Cologne. Result Report. Cologne: German Sport University Cologne, Institute for Outdoor Sports and Environmental Research.
