A new £100,000 cycle track is set to be built under the M32 in Easton to encourage disadvantaged communities to embrace the sport. 

Bristol City Council has joined forces with Access Sport to create the “pump park” with funding from Sport England, British Cycling and the London Marathon Charitable Trust. 

Charity outreach workers will be based at the new facility to engage hard-to-reach and inactive groups, with equipment available for anyone who needs it. 

Lucy Fisher from Access Sport’s Maxing Trax initiative, said she hopes work can begin this year but it will depend on how the coronavirus pandemic plays out.

The cycle park will be near the M32

She said: “Easton Bike Track will be an open access cycling facility that will be a great asset for the local community in Easton and the wider area. 

“It will enable the community to have a safe and exciting place to learn to ride and to increase cycling confidence, as well as enabling physical, mental, social and environmental benefits. 

“Easton Bike Track will also be home to a sustainable volunteer-led community cycling club that will be supplied with all necessary equipment and will run regular sessions at the track. 

“The club will be a great resource as it will make cycling accessible and inclusive for all. 

“There will be a wide range of opportunities for the community to get involved whether that is through participating, volunteering or coaching.”

The 139-metre closed loop bike track will transform a disused area of tarmac under the motorway into a “thriving community cycling facility, providing a place to learn and develop cycling skills and confidence”.

The planned Easton cycle track

Access Sport’s plans say cycling is booming but is less popular with young people, although the “unique urban appeal” of BMX makes it an excellent tool to reach them. 

Nationally, only one in 10 16 to 25-year-olds cycles, and just six per cent of those from black and minority ethnic groups do. In Easton, 39 per cent of residents are overweight or obese, and only 60 per cent do regular enough exercise each week. 

Access Sport will run a free 12-week outreach programme with schools, special educational needs schools and pupil referral units in the local area. 

They will be helped with basic cycling, specific BMX skills, introduction to bike maintenance and personal development skills. 

Assessing the application, council officers said the benefits of getting young people active “will potentially outweigh the less ideal air pollution levels” in the area. 

A vandal-proof container will be installed to store bikes and equipment.