Local riders demand dirt jump

The Sunshine Coast BMX and mountain biking community has been steadily growing, with more and more young people turning to these daring sports every day. Offering participants a creative and energetic outlet, these sports are promoting healthy active living, as well as comradery and a sense of community.As interest grows for these sports, local bike-riders are finding it increasingly difficult to locate safe and appropriate tracks, especially tracks that are able to cater to riders of different skill levels. The closest dirt track to the Sunshine Coast is currently located in Caboolture, meaning riders must commute at least 30 minutes to find an appropriate venue. It is for this reason that local biking enthusiast, Ryan Biggs, has started a community petition to urge the local council to build a dirt jump track for all the Coast’s avid bike-riders.Ryan started this petition just over a week ago and he already has over 600 signatures, and more than 2000 likes on his Facebook page, ‘Sunshine Coast Dirt Jump Track’. Ryan believes that a professionally constructed dirt jump track would further encourage the sport’s growth as well as ensuring a level of safety not always found on private tracks.With Coast biking venues, such as skate parks, becoming increasingly crowded it is evident that there is a real need for a safe bike track here on the Sunshine Coast.If you wish to sign Ryan’s petition please go to www.change.org and search ‘Sunshine Coast Dirt Jump Track’. With your support, the Sunshine Coast could find itself hosting the State’s newest dirt jump track.By Simon Hotton