YOUR FORUM FOR PLAY, SPORTS UND LEISURE AREAS
A great project on the left bank of the New Danube has just been completed. At the Rudolf-Nurejew-Promenade in the 22nd district, the City of Vienna has opened a unique cycle motor skills park on an area of 8,000 square metres, which enables children and young people to train their motor skills by bike. For this purpose, 17 different stations are available, allowing both training and fun.
The outdoor cycle motor skills park is now available and open to everyone free of charge. However, the completion of the pump track next to the cycle motor skills park will be realised in short.
The project was financed by the City of Vienna and the district of Vienna-Donaustadt at 50 per cent each, the construction of the park with its 17 different stations and the pump track was carried out by the Vienna Waters Department.
A special attraction is the new pump track - an artificially created mountain-bike track that is particularly suitable for beginners. Environment City Councillor Ulli Sima is enthusiastic: "Our city is really awesome and provides children and youngsters with numerous free attractions in the fresh air. In addition to fun, we want to make sure that the youngsters also learn to gain more safety when cycling," says Sima, who thanks the 22nd district for the initiative for this project.
Where the cycle motor skills park is located today, there was an outdated skate facility until spring of this year. For district head Ernst Nevrivy, the relocation of the aging skate facility was a great opportunity to re-define the purpose for the area: "Donaustadt is the district where particularly young families and athletes feel at home and I am therefore pleased that we have been able to promote the realisation of this facility!"
"The facility will be free of charge and accessible for all types of bicycles. Almost all the equipment and courses will also be accessible to wheelchairs," adds Josef Taucher, a local councillor from Donaustadt, who, by the way, is also a cycling enthusiast.
The initiative for the project was launched by the citizens themselves: "The park is the result of our district laboratory - a think tank with citizens from different professions, age groups and social classes. The ideas that were brought in and developed were as diverse and innovative as the participants in the district lab themselves. The result at the end of the participatory process was the wish for a bicycle motor skills park for children, which should enable children and young people to train their motor skills with the bike in a playful way and prepare them for road traffic in a safe and fun environment".
A redesigned area of 8,000 square metres
In spring 2020, the outdated skate facility that was formerly located at this site, was removed and replaced by the cycle motor skills park. In May 2020, a modern skate facility which has already become very popular, was built instead at the newly designed CopaBeach near the Viennese Reichsbrücke.
The existing basketball court, however, was retained. The only difference from before is that the area was rotated by 90 degrees and its size was slightly reduced.
Cycle motor skills park with 17 stations
On the popular, visually eye-catching course, cycling coordination can be improved, which should help the users to reduce the frequency of accidents in road traffic. The course was designed especially for children and youngsters. The cycle motor skills park cannot just be used by bike, it is also suitable for almost all non-motorised vehicles, such as unicycles, skateboards, inline skates, scooters or wheelchairs.
The cycle motor skills park consists of a course with 17 stations which must be passed in one direction. The route is marked on the ground. All 17 stations pose different challenges for the cyclists.
Wavy tracks, a letter forest and jogging tracks
The facility is characterised by two striking wave tracks coloured in red and blue. These two pump tracks are to be mastered without pedalling if possible. The pole slalom and the grabbing exercise, where the cyclist tries to touch as many hanging handles as possible, are also very challenging. The jogging track and the slightly elevated balancing track train the ability to keep on track under difficult conditions. Here the users can also train to cope with everyday situations such as crossing thresholds, rails and cobblestones or passing through narrow passages by practising without stress. In the letter forest outside the course, the 26 letters of the alphabet printed on the ground can be used to "experience" any words.
Since 25 September 2020, additional trainers from the Vienna Mobility Agency are on site for visitors to the cycle motor skills park. Every Friday to Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., trained cycling trainers are available to help children practise with their bikes. Advice is free of charge and available to individuals and groups without pre-registration.
New pump track - the artificial mountain-bike track
The second highlight of the facility is the 130 m long pump track right next to the cycle motor skills park. A pump track is an artificially constructed mountain-bike track that is laid out as a circuit. The aim is to ride down the track by using only physical strength and no pedals. The track was fitted into the existing meadow area around the trees..
Implementation: Allegra
Information: www.wien.gv.at/freizeit/spielplatz/radmotorikpark
