What is a pump track?

Over the last few months there’s been a lot of discussion about a pump track within Histon & Impington. This is the first in a series of articles from the Pump Track Charity, aiming to explain what a pump track actually is and how it works. Later articles will explore design choices, community benefits, and any concerns in more detail.

What is a pump track?

A playground for wheels is a great place to start, somewhere to play on self-propelled wheeled vehicles. A pump track isn’t just for hardcore cyclists – it’s a place for kids to enjoy their scooters, teenagers to take their skateboards, even adults with a pair of inline skates currently gathering dust. The track itself can be anything from about a foot (30cm) wide, where used by bikes only, to around six feet (2 meters) wide, which makes it usable for all sorts of riders.

Unlike football pitches or tennis courts, there’s no “one size fits all” design. Every pump track is shaped around its location, making use of natural features and local planting, or adding new associated amenities like seating. That means no two tracks are exactly the same.

Main features

Every pump track has two main ingredients: berms and rollers. Berms are the banked corners – the sloping curves that help riders glide smoothly around corners. Rollers are the gentle, wave-like bumps on straight sections of the track. Together, these features create a flowing, rhythmic feel -imagine surfing on land.

Riding these elements gives a track its name. Riders use a pumping motion — moving their body up and down in rhythm with the rollers and berms — to build speed and keep up momentum. With practice they barely need to pedal or push at all.

These features are usually built from shaped earth, but they can also use concrete, wood, or modular metal framework, depending on the setting. Often designers will work with the natural terrain, weaving the track into the existing landscape. On top of this base, a riding surface of packed dirt, tarmac, or fibreglass sheeting is added, chosen to suit both the underlying structure and the desired look and feel for the track.

What makes it special?

In many ways, a pump track is like a mountain-bike trail or adventurous cycle route. The difference is that instead of stretching out over a long distance, it’s coiled into a compact loop. This design has a few big advantages:

• Beginners can roll gently around the track, practicing each element at their own pace.
• Experienced riders can go around again and again, practicing skills and finding their flow round the whole loop.
• The continuous rhythm feels calming — some people describe it as a meditative “in the zone” state.
• More advanced riders can experiment with creative lines, moving between different parts of the loop in exciting tricks.

Because of its compact looping design, a pump track naturally becomes a social space. Riders often take breaks to watch others, swap tips, or cheer each other on. Some people come just to enjoy the atmosphere and see the skills on display. Pump tracks often become hubs for the community — a place where parents bring kids after school, teenagers socialise in a safe area, and even adults rediscover the joy of play on wheels.

How much space does it need?

Pump tracks vary a lot in size. The smallest ones cover about 1,000m² (roughly a quarter of an acre), while the largest can stretch to 5,000m² (about one and a quarter acres). Most fall somewhere in the middle.

To give a sense of scale, here are some familiar local comparisons (areas approximate):

• MUGA (Multi use games area) at the Rec (furthest east): 646m² (34m x 19m), 0.16 acres
• Bowling green: 1,369m² (37m x 37m), 0.34 acres
• Four tennis courts together: 2,331m² (63m x 37m), 0.58 acres
• Community Orchard: 4,300m², 1.06 acres
• Histon Hornets pitch: 8,250m² (110m x 75m), 2.04 acres
• West cricket field (to boundary mark): 10,400m², 2.57 acres

The important thing is that a pump track doesn’t need to fit into a neat rectangle, like for a football pitch or bowls green. It can be woven around trees, buildings, or awkwardly shaped plots. A smaller space might give the track a tighter, more urban feel with elements hemmed into limited space.  While a larger space allows room for extra loops. This means more riders can join in together, and sections can be tailored to different skill levels. A larger area also allows the design to ‘breathe’, open areas inside the loops soften the visual appearance of the track with grass, flowers, trees or pebbles.

What about in Histon & Impington?

Exactly what a track for Histon & Impington will look like depends on the space chosen within the village. The Pump Track Charity trustees are committed to open consultation to design something that’s fun, safe, and well-suited for its setting. The goal is to create not just a sports facility, but a welcoming place that is appropriate for our community.