Southampton’s Outdoor Sports Centre Bike Park has reopened

The Southampton Bike Park officially reopened on Thursday 26 January following an extensive improvement programme

On Thursday 26 January 2023, Councillor Fielker, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health, Adults and Leisure for Southampton City Council officially opened the Bike Park following the completion, alongside members of Southampton Bike Park.

Image credit: Tyler-Jason Meadham (TJX Photography)

The improvement works to the Bike Park include a new start hill, three all-weathered trails with a dedicated push-up and a new advanced jump trail. The works were undertaken by Forte Trailscapes who are experts in design and construction in bike parks.

The works began in spring 2022 and were part of phase one of the multi-million-pound masterplan of improvements to the Outdoor Sports Centre.

The next phase of the Outdoor Sports Centre project is anticipated to begin in 2023 and will include a new ‘Hub’, new artificial grass football pitches, additional car parking spaces and further developments to the sports centre.

The redevelopment works to Southampton Bike Park were part of a successful Southampton City Council bid for funding from British Cycling’s Places to Ride scheme. The redevelopment works to Southampton Bike Park were funded by Southampton City Council, British Cycling and Sport England. The works have also formed part of the ongoing partnership between British Cycling and Southampton City Council.

Southampton City Council and Active Nation will continue to work with the original founders of Southampton Bike Park to ensure it is maintained to a high standard and to encourage exciting events in the future.

Cllr Lorna Fielker, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Leisure for Southampton City Council said:

“I am delighted that the redevelopment of the Southampton Bike Park is now complete. The Bike Park is a valued asset to residents and is a much-loved place for the cycling community.

"This significant step marks the first milestone in the delivery of the exciting future vision for the Outdoor Sports Centre project.

"The improvements to the Bike Park and the three fantastic new all-weather trails will allow for an increase of usage all year round including the winter months which will make it easier for cyclists to keep physically active throughout the year".

Luis Arnold, Co-founder of Southampton Bike Park said:

“The Southampton Bike Park community are so excited to reopen following the redevelopment. We look forward to once again providing an excellent space for the people of Southampton and beyond to hone their mountain bike skills. We’ve had an incredible ten years and we cannot wait to see what the future brings”.

Maxwell Bradbury-Knight, Assistant Business Manager at Active Nation said:

“Active Nation UK are thrilled to see the Southampton Bike Park within the Outdoor Sports Centre reopen. This will provide residents of Southampton, and our neighbouring residents, a safe, inclusive, and free of charge space for biking.

"Active Nation’s mission is to inspire the nation to improve their health and well-being, and we’re excited to support opportunities for more people via the new and improved provision on-site”.