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Guest Speaker: Tony Schmitz
Detroit Mountain Bike Park
WHAT IS A BIKE RECREATION AREA?
Defined:
Key Characteristics:
A Bike Recreation Area Is A “Purpose-Built”, Permanent, and Public Amenity that Provides Off-Road Cyclists A
Place To Practice And Play On Their Bikes.
- DESIGNED FOR ALL TYPES OF BIKES
- DESIGNED FOR RIDERS OF ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS
- PROVIDES PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITY
WHY BIKE RECREATION AREAS?
- SUPPORT AN ACTIVE AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
- CONNECT PEOPLE WITH THE OUTDOORS
- CREATE DESIREABLE PLACES TO LIVE AND VISIT
- DEVELOP DEEP SENSE OF COMMUNITY
- GENERATE ECONOMIC BENFITS
WHY BIKE RECREATION AREAS?
https://outdoorindustry.org/advocacy/
WHY BIKE RECREATION AREAS?
https://outdoorindustry.org/advocacy/
WHERE THE PLANNING PROCESS BEGINS
FROM LAND MANAGERS: “Our Community Needs Active Recreation Opportunities”
FROM WITHIN THE COMMUNITY: “We Want Places to Ride Bikes”!
THE BIG IDEA
FROM ADVOCACY GROUPS: “We’ll Support Bike Recreation Areas”!
WHERE THE PLANNING PROCESS BEGINS
https://www.imba.com/engage/find-your-local-group?param=chapter
WHERE THE PLANNING PROCESS BEGINS
ASSEMBLE THE TEAM!
Bike Recreation Areas require Collaborative Efforts between Community Members, Land Managers and Professionals.
SITE SELECTION
Identify possible locations and assess Opportunities and Constraints for Bike Recreation.
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
List potential amenities, develop concept layout, provide cost estimate.
*Don’t undervalue your project! Bike Recreation Areas are worth investing in!
*Pro Tips
SITE SELECTION
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
WHERE THE PLANNING PROCESS BEGINS
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Share the vision, get feedback, foster ownership, increase community support
FUNDING
Identify funding sources and secure funds based on cost estimate.
*Examples of funding sources: Fed/State Grants (i.e. RTP), C.I.P Funds (Build it into your annual budget!), Corporate Donors/Local Business, Foundation Grants
*Pro Tips
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
FUNDING
Trail Accelerator Grants
COMMUNITY GRANTS
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT PLANNING A BIKE RECREATION AREAS
- HOW MUCH SPACE DO WE NEED FOR A BIKE RECREATION AREA?
Bike Recreation Areas can be designed for unique spaces, sometimes ranging from .5 Acres to 20+ Acres.
- WHAT ARE COMMON AMENITIES IN A BIKE RECREATION AREA?
Common amenities could include Pumptracks, Bicycle Playgrounds, Trails, Dirt Jump Lines, or Skills Areas.
- WHEN SHOULD WE INVOLVE A PROFESSIONAL COMPANY?
A qualified Professional Company should be involved in the earliest stages of concept planning through completion of the project.
*Even before you have funds, these professionals can be a valuable resource to ensure you get off to a good start.
*Pro Tips
BIKE RECREATION AMENITY EXAMPLES
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT PLANNING A BIKE RECREATION AREA
- WHEN SHOULD WE INVOLVE A PROFESSIONAL COMPANY?
A qualified Professional Company should be involved in the earliest stages of concept planning through completion of the project.
*Even before you have funds, these professionals can be a valuable resource to ensure you get off to a good start.
- WHAT DOES A BIKE RECREATION AREA COST?
Project cost estimates should be developed in the Conceptual Design phase and should be specific to each proposed amenity in your park.
*Value engineering can be performed in final design phase to identify cost savings opportunities.
*Pro Tips
STRUCTURING BIDS AND RFP’STO ENSURE QUALIFIED RESPONSES
- WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A BIKE RECREATION AREA BID/RFP?
Qualifications, Bike Recreation Area specific Project References and Experience, Concept Plan, Vision Statement
*When possible, consider ONLY including bike specific amenities in the Bike Recreation Area RFP/BID. This promotes responses from qualified companies specializing in Bike Recreation Area design/construction.
Non-specialty work like parking lots, utilities, restrooms etc. should be in a separate bid for general contractors. Lumping these together can drive project costs up as general contractors acting as a Prime will include significant cost markups on work performed by a Bike Recreation Area subcontractor. (Sometimes 2-3 times the actual cost)
- WHAT MAKES A BIKE RECREATION AREA RFP DIFFERENT FROM A TYPICAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT RFP?
Bike Recreation Area projects are a unique blend of Construction and Art. RFP’s should include language that allows the selected qualified
company to make design adjustments and changes during the build based on their expertise.
*Pro Tips
STRUCTURING BIDS AND RFP’STO ENSURE QUALIFIED RESPONSES
- WHAT QUALIFICATIONS SHOULD BE REQUIRED?
Minimums: years experience building specific type of Bike Recreation Area amenity, Project References of similar size/scope Basic
Requirements: Insurance, Licenses etc.
- WHAT VERBIAGE SHOULD BE INCLUDED TO ALLOW FOR THE CREATIVE PROCESS?
Example: “BIKE PARK FEATURES ARE LOCATED CONCEPTUALLY PER DRAWINGS. THE BIKE PARK CONTRACTOR /
TRAIL BUILDER SHALL DETERMINE FINAL PLACEMENT AND INTEGRATION INTO THE PROJECT TO ACHIEVE
DESIGN INTENT DESCRIBED IN CONTRACT DOCUMENTS.”
- WHAT LEVEL OF DESIGN DO WE NEED BEFORE GOING TO BID?
Design should provide sufficient information to articulate Design Intent. Conceptual level designs can accomplish this. Construction Documents
are often unnecessary and can be cost prohibitive.
*If construction documents are created, the bid should include language that allows selected qualified company to make design adjustments and changes during the build based on their expertise.
*Pro Tips
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT SUSTAINABLE DESIGN/BUILD METHODS
- DOES “SUSTAINABLE” MEAN NO MAINTENANCE?
NO. Every Bike Recreation Area will require maintenance. Employing sustainable design methods and build methods can help reduce
the maintenance burden, but not eliminate it.
- WHAT ARE SOME BASIC SUSTAINABLE DESIGN PRINCIPLES TO FOLLOW?
Direct water away from riding surfaces, specify appropriate materials, incorporate sustainable pre-fab features to eliminate high maintenance
elements, consider local climate, specify sustainable build methods.
- WHAT BUILD METHODS ARE MOST SUSTIANABLE?
Bike Recreation Areas may have dirt elements which will always require maintenance. However, native soil should be assessed for quality and
imported soils may be required to promote sustainability.
Pre-Fab features can be incorporated to increase sustainability and eliminate high maintenance areas such as jump lips, rollers, and other
built up elements. Rock and other hard materials can also be used to create features or to armor riding surface tread.
For Pumptracks: Asphalt and Modular options are most sustainable.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT BIKE RECREATION AREA MAINTENANCE
- CAN A BIKE PARK BE MAINTENANCE FREE?
NO. Every Bike Recreation Area will require maintenance. Employing sustainable design methods and build methods can help reduce
the maintenance burden, but not eliminate it.
- WHO SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTENANCE?
The Parks Agency or Land Manager should be responsible for maintenance and should dedicate time and resources for upkeep just as they
would for any other park facility.
Volunteer Groups can play an important role to alleviate the maintenance burden. These groups are an amazing asset unique to bike
recreation. However, a Bike Recreation Area is a permanent public facility that should be included in the parks maintenance budget.
- HOW DO WE PLAN FOR MAINTENANCE?
A Maintenance and Operations Plan can be developed by the designer. This document should provide a detailed action plan for park
maintenance that is specific to each amenity incorporated in the design and may require updates post-construction.
This type of document can be used by the Parks Agency or Land Manager as a guide for maintenance procedures and to estimate maintenance
costs.
OVERCOMING COMMON OBJECTIONSTO BIKE RECREATION AREAS THROUGH EDUCATION
- SHARING THE VISION WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO DON’T RIDE BIKES
Bike Recreation Areas are quickly becoming a staple in communities everywhere. A Conceptual Design with great visuals, videos and pictures
from other communities, and personal testimonies can all be great tools when sharing the vision.
*Engage related councils and committees early on so they can learn and be part of the exciting process!
- CONCERNS ABOUT THE USER GROUP
Cyclists have proven to be one of the most actively engaged and responsible user groups. Ask around!
*Pro Tips
OVERCOMING COMMON OBJECTIONSTO BIKE RECREATION AREAS THROUGH EDUCATION
- “WE DON’T HAVE THE TERRAIN FOR A BIKE RECREATION AREA”
Bike Recreation Areas can be developed on both flat and sloped terrain. During the site assessment, the designer will be able to identify
opportunities and constraints of your site and make recommendations for suitable amenities.
- BIKE RECREATION AREAS ARE A VALUABLE ASSET TO ANY COMMUNITY
Bike Recreation Areas serve a broad and highly engaged user group. They provide an opportunity for healthy and active recreation, increasing
quality of life for local community. This can attract new residents and generate positive economic growth for related businesses and tourism.
*BIKE RECREATION AREAS ARE AWESOME!
Let’s Build One Together
*Pro Tips
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