Pump Track Guide
Places to roll, pump and wear kids out, city by city.
A pump track is a loop of rollers and banked turns you ride by pumping your body up and down instead of pedaling. We've found 37 in 25 cities so far, with more to come as tracks get mapped.
Pump tracks on the map
Tap a dot to see a city's pump tracks.
Pump tracks by city
Alaska
California
Colorado
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Nevada
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Before your first ride
- Helmets on, every ride. Falls are part of learning here, and gloves and long pants help too.
- Walk the track first, and start on the smallest rollers. Some tracks have a separate beginner loop.
- Go at a quiet time, like a weekday morning, so little riders aren't sharing the track with fast ones.
- Stay with your kid, and watch which way people are riding. Look before rolling in, and step off the track to rest.
Questions parents ask
What is a pump track?
A loop of rollers and banked turns you ride by pumping your body up and down instead of pedaling. With practice, riders can go all the way around without a single pedal stroke.
How old does a child need to be to ride a pump track?
There's no set age. It depends more on balance and confidence than on birthdays. Many kids start by rolling slowly over the smallest rollers on a balance bike, with a parent close by. Look over each track first, since some are built for bigger riders.
What kind of bike works on a pump track?
You don't need a special bike. Balance bikes and small kids' bikes both work. Training wheels can catch on the rollers and tip on the banked turns, so they're better left for flat paths. Some tracks also welcome scooters and skateboards, so check for posted rules.
Are paved or dirt pump tracks better for kids?
Each has its upside. Paved tracks stay smooth and are usually ready sooner after rain. Dirt tracks can be rutted, and may close when they're wet. A fall hurts on either, so helmets stay on. We show the surface for each track when it's on record.
Why isn't a pump track near me listed?
Our list comes from OpenStreetMap, a map anyone can edit, so a track that hasn't been mapped won't show up here. We haven't ridden every track, and details can be out of date, so check that a track is open before you go. Know of one we're missing? Email us.