Update - 21 June 2023

Council has recently explored opportunities to expand and establish new facilities to support the growing popularity of bike sports – the more adventurous side of cycling - that includes things like mountain bike racing and trails, cyclo-cross, gravel racing and BMX.

On 20 June 2023, it endorsed the Maribyrnong Bike Sports Infrastructure Development Plan, which aims to support the growth of bike sports as a way of encouraging more people to swap four wheels for two to become physically active.

This follows a conversation with the community on the draft document last November.

The sites identified for development of bike infrastructure include Quarry Park, Yarraville Pump Track, Cranwell Park, Robert Barrett Reserve, and Braybrook Park.

Each proposed development will require further planning and community engagement prior to implementation including Quarry Park, which will undergo a comprehensive master planning process to evaluate its feasibility.

What we heard

More than 220 responses were received in the form of emails, quick poll votes, and survey responses. This built upon more than 70 survey responses we received during phase one.

In terms of the proposed vision ‘Maribyrnong’s connected and diverse network of bike sports offers the community a pathway into bike sports and a life-long engagement with riding’ of the 93 visitors who answered the quick poll:

  • 52% agreed
  • 47% disagreed
  • 1% were neutral

While the four strategic objectives to support bike sports in Maribyrnong were supported by the majority, there were mixed responses to the potential to further grow the sport at Quarry Park.

Of the 70 questionnaire responses, 49 supported an expansion at Quarry Park.

We’ve collated a snapshot of all the findings for your information which you can view here.

You can view the Council report and recommendations, which includes an engagement report on our website where you can also watch the discussion during the Council Meeting on 20 June 2023.

Current bike sports locations

There are currently only a few places where riders can participate in these activities in Maribyrnong.

Quarry Park Mountain Bike
Hansen Reserve
Yarraville BMX

Recognising that properly planned bike sports facilities can provide significant liveability, economic, and health benefits to communities, the draft Bike Sports Infrastructure and Development Plan recommended investing in new and established infrastructure that will create pathways into bike sport activities for recreation and competition (grass roots to elite level) for more people and build a lifelong connection to bike riding.

This included:

  • Further developing the Quarry Park mountain bike facilities
  • Renewing and extending the Yarraville Pump Track at Cruickshank Park with a contemporary facility catering for beginners as well as experienced BMX and mountain bike riders
  • Creating a new local mountain bike track at Cranwell Park in Braybrook, potentially for parallel down-hill competition (known as “four-cross”), and
  • Establishing new facilities at Robert Barrett Reserve in Maribyrnong and Braybrook Park (Skinner Reserve). Local junior bike skills (learn to ride) tracks and pump tracks are proposed at both locations, which currently have no bikes sports facilities.
  • Investigating possible locations to implement road closures to provide on-road criterion circuits.

The draft Maribyrnong Bike Sports Infrastructure and Development Plan provides further strategic support and detail to the following Council commitments under the Maribyrnong Bicycle Strategy 2020-2030 and the Stony Creek Future Directions Plan 2020:

  • Upgrading the Yarraville Pump/BMX track
  • Exploring opportunities for an additional learn-to-ride area in the northern part of the City, such as Robert Barrett or McDonald reserves
  • Prioritising access to pavilion space for a cycling club specifically encouraging female and junior membership
  • Installing three bicycle maintenance stations each year; and
  • Investigating the feasibility of a cycle track around an oval, and an all-inclusive bike hub at a suitable location, including access for disability service agencies to provide cycle training at a suitable location.

Current and proposed bike sports locations

Share your thoughts below.

Cranwell Gardens Four Cross Tracks
Robert Barrett Reserve Junior Bike Skills Track
Braybrook Park Junior Bike Skills Track
Quarry Park Mountain Bike Park
Hansen Reserve Junior Bike Skills Track
Yarraville Pump BMX Track