The number of makeshift bike jumps built by young riders has soared across Victoria over the past 18 months as COVID-19 restrictions limited recreation activities and travel.

The City has identified a number of sites across Greater Geelong’s parks bushland and open space areas where amateur jumps and trails have been created.

Work is being carried out to see if positive solutions can be found to address the clear demand for this type of activity.

The City has met with young people and residents in Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads to gauge their views on supporting informal bike jumps in the townships.

This follows a Council allocation of $100 000 for a feasibility study into a new district bike jump facility in Ocean Grove.

There is also commitment to deliver a bike discovery track through the recently adopted Barwon Heads Village master plan and further improvements are being investigated for The Hill Mountain Bike Park in Newtown.

In conjunction with this work the City has been assessing known rider-built jumps and tracks across the municipality.

While we appreciate the benefits of healthy outdoor activity some sites have significantly damaged trees and vegetation with branches cut and severed.

To reduce the risk of injury and to restore the natural values of the areas makeshift jumps that have damaged our environment and pose a risk to public safety will be removed.

Advisory signs will be placed on the sites identified for repatriation works.

Visit here for more information on makeshift bike jumps and trails guidelines.