Temecula Pump Tracks Draw Riders, Inspire Outdoor Play: Rider Risks Part Of Daily Grind

TEMECULA, CA — Temecula's pump tracks have become big draws for area youth who want to get outside and experience thrills, chills and sometimes even spills.

All those who use the paved BMX-style bump, drop and curve tracks assume personal liability for their use, as is posted clearly on signs around the parks.

Over the weekend, an unidentified 7-year-old scooter rider crashed into an airborne cyclist on the larger Ronald Reagan Park Pump Track. They went down in a tangle of arms and legs into the bark, and neither rider got up swiftly.

The boy's parents took him to the Temecula Valley Hospital emergency room to be checked out. The unidentified cyclist's condition was not known.

The boy's time as a youth team BMX rider gave him the experience to ride the larger track, said his mother, who spoke to Patch on condition of anonymity. She described the incident as "more violent and different" from regular race crashes she has witnessed.

Temecula Police Department officers responded to the scene after Saturday's crash, according to police Chief Zachary Hall. Officers took witness statements and reviewed the park video. Initial indications showed no fault in the crash, Hall said. The boy's mother told Patch that she planned to contact authorities Wednesday with her perspective on the crash.

Temecula city spokesperson Christine Damko told Patch that this sort of crash at the city's pump tracks is rare. While random crashes and subsequent bumps and bruises are common at the track, significant incidents were few and far between.

What Are Pump Tracks?

Each pump track can cost up to $450,000 to develop, according to the Veloyolutions, who manufactures the tracks.

Since the Ronald Reagan Park Pump Track and its nearby youth track opened, they are often packed with enthusiastic cyclists, skateboarders and scooter riders. The actual tracks are maintained by the city's facilities and public works departments. Riders police themselves for the most part and follow the rules while on the track.

Everyone knows which way to go around the track, Ethan Carter and Gavin Beyer explained to Patch Wednesday.

When there are fewer people here, you can do more stunts and use the full track, as they demonstrated.

The city has built multiple tracks, each with undulating paths in a circle. They are fit for bikes, skateboards and scooters and allow riders to do tricks.

Pump tracks began as a BMX cyclist's paradise, allowing riders to train and gain speed on the bumps and curves. People of varying skills try their hand on the courses, and sometimes, people crash. The newest pump track is on the north side of town off North General Kearney across the street from James L. Day Middle School.

"It’s a smaller pump track but it is good for intermediate riders," according to city Councilman James Stewart.

A smaller pump track at Ronald Reagan also draws youngsters to the park.

On a weekday afternoon, mother Brittany Iverson takes her son, Charlie, for a drive around the smallest track. Charlie showed off some of his moves as the 4-year-old gains confidence on the small course.

"We come about once a week," she told Patch.

"Our pump tracks are super popular. We just opened the Long Canyon track and are planning another one at the south end of the town in the Wolf Creek area," Damko said.

The Rules Of The Pump Track

The city of Temecula's posted rules said that riders use the pump track facilities at their own risk.

• Everyone who rides on the track must wear a helmet or be subject to citation.
• The pump tracks are not to be used when the surfaces are wet, icy or slippery.
• No formal contests are allowed on the track without the permission of the city.
• No drug or alcohol use is tolerated at the pump track.
• All riders should be respectful of others and share the space.

Violations and hazards are to be reported to City Hall at 951-694-6444. Emergencies should be reported to 911.

As for the boy's mother, she still planned to return with her sons and watch them ride around at the tracks. Still, she added, "I do hope more attention is placed on improving the pump tracks' safety."