Can a Pump Track Fit Beside a Home Terrace and Garden

A pump track can be installed in your backyard next to your home, your patio and your garden. It is not just a question of space as it has to be set up in a thoughtful manner in order to also accommodate the riding line, the sitting area, the garden with the planting beds, the drainage and the safety buffer.

A modular pump track is perfect for families to play in their backyard or for homeowners with a terrace. A pump track can be a focal point in the outdoor space but the patio can still be used for dining, relaxation and socializing. A modular system is ideal for residential projects as it can be set up on the site, moved around, altered and even expanded, with minimal ground work required as opposed to a dirt or asphalt track.

Can a Pump Track Really Work Next to a Terrace?

Terraces are often the hubs of a home garden. This is where families eat, relax and watch kids play. A pump track, situated near a terrace, needs to facilitate daily use of the space as opposed to impeding it.

Separate riding, resting, and walking zones

Backyard pump tracks can be designed in such a way that three areas are clearly defined: the riding line, the seating area and the garden path. Riders want to have a clear line without any sudden crossing by other riders. The people sitting on the terrace want to be far enough away from the track, especially from the point where the rider turns into the track and from where the rider exits the track. The garden paths must not cross the fastest part of the track.

In a real back yard this pump track would be positioned along the lawn edge rather than right in front of the sliding doors. The parent can watch from the patio but a missed turn will take the rider past chairs and glass doors and the barbecue rather than down towards the steps.

There is a simple rule: the run-out can be very close to the house but the line that you are riding should not be pointing directly at the house.

Use the terrace as a viewing area

Next to the patio with a clear view of the children on the bikes while you can sit outside as well is one of the advantages of a pump track in this area.

We incorporated a terrace that functions much like a viewing deck. We tried to position the pump track slightly below, to one side, or even in the back of the low planting strip and then put a bench, a shade umbrella or outdoor storage up against the planting strip/trellis and against the viewing deck and that creates a softer boundary between viewing deck and the action going on in the riding area and it does not make the space feel confined.

How Much Backyard Space Does a Home Pump Track Need?

Not every home pump track needs to be a large estate-style garden. Some of our residential projects use narrow side yards, carve out a section of the lawn or utilize an underutilized corner of the yard. The final design will depend on a number of factors including the age of the rider, the wheel type, the yard shape and size, and how much open lawn space the family wishes to retain.

Match the track shape to the garden shape

A long and thin garden could work really well for a straight line of practice rollers in a long straight run. A square lawn could be formatted into a tight little loop. A bigger lawn with more space could be set up in a fun family format with lots of turns, rollers and other short rhythm lines.

There’s no reason your small backyard pump track has to feel constrained in the space. You don’t want every turn to be up against your furniture, plants, and walls. Ideally, there will be enough space for you to be able to slow down and dismount at the end of each run, then be able to make your way back up to the start of the track without having to cross over your main patio area.

Leave room around turns and exits

Turns need special care near a terrace or garden. Riders naturally drift outward through a turn, especially young children and beginners. Exits also need extra space because riders may carry speed into the next section.

For home use it is better to opt for a controlled design over a fast one. A beginner-friendly, modular pump track with clear rollers and round turns is much more suitable right next to a terrace than a aggressive track which pushes the rider to high speeds and brings him in close proximity to people and objects in his surroundings.

What Should Be Checked Before Pump Track Installation?

A backyard pump track starts with the ground and not the track. The modular system is designed to work perfectly in any garden, and feels just as safe and quiet as it does in use, as a training facility. However, a design that feels perfect in one garden, can look extremely awkward in another, all down to the base, the slope and the access.

Check the base surface first

A firm, stable and predictable surface is required for the trackway area. Whilst grass can be used for temporary residential applications on a firm, level and well compacted lawn, a number of factors can cause the grass to move under the trackway modules. These factors include soft ground, loose or unstable sand, tree roots and uneven or damaged paving. A solid base such as concrete, compacted gravel or a firm base laid out specifically for the trackway modules will provide the best stable surface.

Before installation, check for:

• Low spots where rainwater collects
• Irrigation pipes close to the surface
• Tree roots that may lift the base
• Loose paving slabs near the terrace
• Sharp changes in level between the patio and lawn

We don’t intend to rebuild the whole garden. Our intention is to give the modular pump track a stable base so that the surface can be firm enough to ride on.

Plan drainage before the first ride

Drainage for pump tracks is more important when they are located near a terrace. Water must not run towards the house. It must not collect around the pump track. It must not wash soil from the planting beds to travel on the riding line of the pump track.

The lowest side of the lawn away from the house is better to allow for a slight fall away from the house. Gravel strips, narrow channel drains, planted borders, permeable borders all offer solutions to allow water to drain away without looking like an industrial solution. In very wet areas the lowest side of the lawn may need a formal drainage channel around it especially where the terrace already drains down onto the lawn.

The lack of adequate drainage can cause three main problems, all of which need to be addressed: the growth of slippery algae near the patio, muddy garden edges and the problem of dirt being washed onto the anti-slip riding surface. It will take a few hours to get the drainage sorted out but it will save years of hard work cleaning and making small repairs.

Is a Pump Track Safe Beside a Garden Path?

Yes, a pump track can be located near a garden path but the garden path should not cut through the main riding flow. This is one of the common errors in designing small residential garden spaces. A path which looks okay on paper can become a problem as a crossing point for children, visitors and pets.

Keep crossing points away from speed sections

Garden paths should be behind the start area and not cross the riding line. If a path does cross the line it should be alongside a slow section of track and not at the end of a descent, turn or roller to avoid being hit by a rider.

Low planting, a timber edge or even a band of gravel can be used to steer people without resorting to high barriers. The garden still needs to feel open. The boundary simply needs to inform users of the area for cycling as opposed to walking.

For homes with children, pets or frequent visitors visual cues are important. By changing the surface material on the garden path to the pump track for example confusion can be reduced. A child with a scooter can see where to enter, visitors with food from the terrace can see where to walk.

Choose an anti-slip riding surface

Residential pump tracks should have an anti slip surface. This is particularly important when the track is close to gardens as leaves, dust, rain and soil all find their way onto the track.

A anti-slip surface helps to ensure maximum grip throughout corners and on up and down hill sections such as rollers. A rougher surface will also be kinder to child’s hands and arms when using scooters and also smaller 12-14 inch wheel children’s bikes, such as balance bikes. As this design will be sited on a raised terrace with a slight slope to it, grip and control will be far more important than sheer speed.

Regular cleaning of your pump track is important. Items such as fallen leaves, wet soil and grass clippings must be removed before use. A clean anti-slip surface provides a safe and enjoyable experience for casual use by family and friends on a daily basis.

Is a Modular Pump Track Better for Home Gardens?

For most residential sites, our modular pump tracks are much easier to build and manage than an earthen, concrete or asphalt riding surface. They don’t require excavation, forming, pouring and curing or permanent change to the ground.

Lower site disturbance

Dirt pump tracks are a lot of fun to build but need to be regularly shapen, packed down, watered and occasionally repaired. Weather also needs to be cared for. Rain can rapidly wash away edges of a track, whilst dry weather can create a very dusty surface. Wooden riding surfaces are great for a while but do become very hazardous when left wet outdoors. Although Concrete and Asphalt riding surfaces are extremely durable they are often very expensive to create and are permanent.

The alternative of a plastic modular pump track offers homeowners a clean line through their garden. The separate modules are easily put together on a sound foundation, should one wish to adjust the layout later on and it doesn’t have to be too close to your outdoor terrace or garden beds. In real homes this can be a very important feature as our requirements can change so quickly over time.

This style of track can start off as a smaller back yard pump track to enable children of all ages to get riding and progress as they get older, with the track changing in form to suit the children. Then as the children grow up the track can change again to form a larger feature, all the time moving with the garden, terrace and or major garden design change and not needing to be pulled down to do so.

Lower maintenance for daily use

A low maintenance pump track is the perfect feature for home gardens. Most families don’t want a back yard feature that requires weekly mounding and or specialized repair, they want a riding feature that is ready to go after school, on the weekends and during the holidays.

An outdoor modular system will handle weather, repeat use, and multiple wheel types with minimal maintenance. The main points of attention would be to keep the playing surface clean, check the connections between the modules, clear the edges of the system of any debris to allow water to drain freely and from time to time clear any leaves or mud that has built up after bad weather.

How Can ULTRAPUMPTRACK Support Residential Pump Track Projects?

Before selecting a supplier of home pump tracks, homeowners, landscape architects and outdoor contractors need more than a catalog. They need a supplier who can provide advice on track design and layout as well as information on the materials used in the system. Above all, they need a supplier who can deliver a system that can be adapted to suit real sites.

A modular pump tracks supplier for flexible outdoor spaces

ULTRAPUMPTRACK designs and manufactures plastic modular pump tracks for use with Bikes, Scooters, BMX, Skateboards and just about any other wheeled sport. ULTRAPUMPTRACK’s design experience stems from years of designing and building dirt and asphalt pump tracks. The transition to modular systems has provided the ideal platform for translating all of their experience into high performance products for the riding market.

ULTRAPUMPTRACK value for residential terrace and garden projects is flexibility. A variety of base configurations allow for a track to be fitted to a variety of narrow lawns and compact backyards as well as larger family gardens. A track system can be used in resort gardens, campgrounds and private outdoor recreation areas.

Our modular pump tracks are easy to assemble, outdoor, low maintenance and can be used all year round. The material used in our designs are weather resistant to adapt to any outdoor situation. The anti slip riding surface is designed for family members to be able to use the pump track safely. A modular system is ideal for garden designs where you need to keep the garden attractive and useable all year round and allow the user to add active play to their yard without the need for construction of a large area.

Conclusion

Next to your home terrace and garden a pump track can be set up in a clever way to still make full use of the areas in which the household already spends time. Clear zoning, a sufficient safety distance from seating areas, sufficient drainage, a solid base and an anti-slip surface for bikes, scooters and little kids.

A pump track in your back yard can be more than just a feature for all the action sports! It can be a daily outdoor activity for you and your family to enjoy in between the quiet of the lawn and the rest of your back yard. For the landscape designers and the building contractors – it can be an exciting feature to bring into the residential gardens in a modular form, avoiding the massive investment and permanent construction for a feature that will be used from time to time. A well-designed track allows the users to stay on the comfortable terraces and enjoy the beautiful garden while having hours of fun on the track, which becomes a part of their daily life.

FAQs

Can a pump track be installed in a small backyard?

Yes, a small backyard pump track can work, especially if the design is very compact and has clear lines to ride. A straight modular section, or even a small loop, could work better for a small back yard than a large full size pump track. It is also important to allow for good room to walk around, to rest, to turn, and for safe exit points.

Is a pump track safe next to a home terrace?

A pump track can be installed safely next to a terrace as long as cyclists are kept at a safe distance from seating areas, doors, steps and garden paths. The riding line should not lead directly to patio furniture or glass doors. In addition to an anti-slip surface, clear boundaries and good visibility for families is crucial.

Can a modular pump track be moved later?

Yes. A modular pump track can be moved, reorganised or enlarged, different to a dirt, asphalt or concrete track. Ideal for families growing, gardens being re-designed, rental properties and general outdoor projects with future changes planned.