This is why Port of Bellingham wants you to stay away from its pump track during wet weather
The Port of Bellingham and the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition are asking people to stay away from the waterfront bike pump track during wet weather.
The bike pump track is closed during rain or wet conditions because riding or walking on it creates indents and tracks, which later harden and ruin the riding surface, according to Port of Bellingham spokesperson Mike Hogan.
“Unfortunately, there are now many footprints (and pawprints) in the dirt left behind during the wet winter months which will require many, many maintenance hours to fix,” Hogan said in an email to The Bellingham Herald.
If you’re unsure whether or not the track is safe to use, avoid it if mud is sticking to your shoes or tires, Hogan said.
The Port and Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition will be organizing volunteer work parties this spring to repair the pump track. Send an email to pumptrackvolunteer@portofbellingham.com if you are interested in participating in pump track volunteer opportunities.
The bike pump track is built temporarily in an area reserved for a future, large city park. It’s been developed as a way to encourage community members to visit the waterfront in the interim until the area is further developed, according to Hogan.
“The Port is excited to see the success of the bike park and is committed to keeping it on the waterfront for as long as possible,” Hogan said.
The dirt features are designed to be modified as needed to adapt to future development or improve the riding experience. The Port anticipates a permanent park will be built several years from now to include a significant number of bike features, given the popularity of the downtown waterfront bike park.
