£250,000 has been raised by a community of volunteers in Richmond to bring a new Bike Park to life, with construction set to begin in May 2026.
The park is expected to have a ‘soft’ opening in autumn 2026, with a full opening in spring 2027 following a planting season designed to enhance biodiversity.
The funding, which has now been promised from The National Lottery, Sport England, Broadacres Housing Association, and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Movement, Activity and Support Grant, has been raised alongside donations and local business support.
A core aim of the Bike Park is to engage local schools, youth groups and families – with planned activities including bike skills and safety workshops, youth volunteering opportunities, environmental and biodiversity education, youth ambassador roles, and partnerships with schools. All with the aim to promote cycling and active travel and engage young people from early on to build pride, responsibility, and long-term stewardship of the park.
Although £250,000 has already been raised, ongoing fundraising and volunteer support will continue to be essential to enhance the facility and ensure long-term sustainability. Following a competitive process, a specialist contractor has also been appointed and while the main build will be professionally delivered, the project will also include Community Dig Days, where volunteers can help with hedging, dry stone walling, planting, moving materials and general site preparation. The project team is also seeking donations of machinery, signage, benches, and landscaping materials as the project steps into gear in the next month.
The project is led by a committed team of local volunteers, but the project team continue to seek anyone with energy, skills, or enthusiasm to help contribute, through build days, fundraising, communications, sponsorship, or project management.
Louise Raine, Chair of the Richmond Bike Park Committee, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have already reached this brilliant milestone and a huge thanks to all the organisations that have committed to the vision of this amazing project. The Bike Park is being built for everyone in the community, creating safe, high-quality cycling space and opportunities for young people to get involved. We can’t wait to get started in May.”
The project represents a major investment in active travel, youth engagement, and community wellbeing, creating a lasting legacy for local riders, families, and future generations.
For more information or to get involved:
richmondbikepark2024@gmail.com
www.richmondbikepark.co.uk
