Work starts this week on a new BMX track in Norbury Park.
The ‘pump track’ will consist of four long straights, each of which with a series of obstacles for cyclists to navigate before the tight hairpin turns bring them onto the next leg of the course.
Taking up less than the area of a football pitch, the track is being provided by the council using money obtained from private housing developments.
It will suit all abilities of riders from beginners to experts – as well as those with disabilities.
Construction of the track is scheduled to take about seven weeks. During that time the Croydon BMX Club will be set up and start to operate from the pavilion on Saturdays, alongside the Croydon amateur boxing club.
Councillor Timothy Godfrey, cabinet member for culture, leisure, and sport, said: “BMX is a brilliant introduction to cycling for young people. It’s immediately exciting and a great way of getting into the wider sport.
“Sir Bradley Wiggins started out his cycling career as a BMX rider, and there’s a huge amount of evidence to show how BMX facilities encourage more people to regularly use bikes to get to school or work.”
The track will be open at all times for public use and there will be a number of BMX bikes available for use by club members. Local schools will be able to send children for cycle training offered by the club during the week.