What is pumptrack？

A pump track was originally a BMX course with soil, but the modular pump track is an epoch-making product that makes it an assembly type.

To be honest, I didn’t know the word “pump track” until I learned about modular pump tracks in early 2015. The video I saw on Youtube led me to Bikeparkitect (Czech Republic, now Perkitect).

The founder, Eric, is Canadian and came to Italy to learn mountain biking, then moved to the Czech Republic to develop a modular pump track. First of all, we actually imported the product, assembled it, and tried it together. It was interesting, so I decided to do it as a business, so I participated in a dealer meeting held in the Czech Republic and officially became a member. A dealer meeting was held in 2019, but although the lineup changed, each country’s efforts are interesting.

Get an image, so I put together a brief introduction video.

Modular pumptrack, What is fascination?？

I think it’s a very novel idea and a high quality and cool product. I calmly pondered what the attraction was.

1. Easy to assemble and move, layouts　is limitless.
2. Anything with wheels can be used.
3. High durability and maintenance free.

There are 8 types of basic parts. You can create an infinite layout depending on how you combine them. The minimum layout (speed ring) uses 34 parts, but it can be expanded by adding parts after that, and several layouts are possible if you have a certain number of parts. Although there is a basic layout, if you have a drawing of the place you want to install individually, it is possible to design a layout according to the site. In the end, I will check it with CAD data, but the wooden model of the secret weapon is very useful.

What I like most is that if it has a wheel, you can enjoy it together regardless of the genre. It’s fun to have skateboard dads and BMX kids at the same time. It’s interesting to be able to interact with different types of martial arts.

You can leave it outdoors without any problem. Maintenance should be done once or twice a year. The installation surface should be horizontal, but it can be installed on the lawn, concrete, or sandy beach.

その可能性は？

The purchase price for the smallest layout (speed ring total length 34m) is about 3.5 million yen (shipping included). The issue is how to use it. The topic will be exclusively here at the dealer meeting. The most common case in each country is the use of events. Its mobility is probably its greatest weapon. The next step is to set it up as a public facility and open it to the public free of charge. Therefore, there are many companies that deal with park playground equipment among dealers. There is a difference in the way of thinking about risk, so I think that there is still a problem in Japan whether it will be introduced to parks immediately and open to the public free of charge. A modular pump track is a sporting facility, and of course there are risks involved. Assuming that, whether or not it can be installed in a park and open to the public will clearly show the way of thinking about sports. It’s been a little over four years since we started this business, but I feel that we’re making progress little by little.

Finally, let me show you an interesting video. Cycling is part of the culture in Switzerland. What would happen if one day the school suddenly left the pump track silent? It is a plan to say. Perhaps because this project was so well received, the ministry that currently has jurisdiction over the school (Ministry of Education in Japan) secured a budget for modular pump trucks and means of transportation, and made requests to schools all over Switzerland for free. It is said that they are going around in order. I’m sure it’s good for children.。

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