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Video: East Portland pump track proves popular with kids

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Breathless and tired from riding,
this kid is why pump tracks rule.
(Still from video – Watch it below)

I just watched a video that, in just over one minute, makes the case for pump tracks better than anything I’ve ever read, seen, or heard. The video (watch it below) was shot by Northwest Trail Alliance President Tom Archer back in September and uploaded to the City’s website a few days ago. It shows a swarm of kids devouring the newly built Ventura Park Pump Track out in East Portland.

If you have a heart and you love bikes, I will guarantee this is the best thing you will watch all week…

I called Tom to ask him about the video. He said the track was “getting swamped” like that every weekend in September. It’s been a huge hit with local kids; so much so that Tom says he’s working with the Portland Parks & Rec bureau to start a kids camp this spring and summer using Ventura Park Pump Track as a platform.

In my line of work I see advocates who work extremely hard over many years to make the case for their project or cause. I was pleasantly amazed at how this one amateur video made the case for more pump tracks in Portland in just over a minute. Nice work Tom — on the video and on the track. Here’s to many more of them being built in the years to come!

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