Tino Franks rides on a temporary pumptrack along the Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo, CA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The city installed the track below the Norman P. Murray Community Center’s playground as part of bike safety month. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Strap on those helmets — there’s a new track in Mission Viejo.
The city installed a pumptrack — a circular and hilly track that allows riders to use momentum to zip around the enclosed circuit rather than constant pedaling — along the Oso Creek Trail. Non-motorized bicycles, in-line skates, scooters and skateboards are allowed on the track – riders must don helmets.
Gus Franks runs on a temporary pumptrack along the Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo, CA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The city installed the track below the Norman P. Murray Community Center’s playground as part of bike safety month. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tino Franks rides on a temporary pumptrack along the Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo, CA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The city installed the track below the Norman P. Murray Community Center’s playground as part of bike safety month. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kids check out a temporary pumptrack along the Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo, CA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The city installed the track below the Norman P. Murray Community Center’s playground as part of bike safety month. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tino Franks rides on a temporary pumptrack along the Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo, CA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The city installed the track below the Norman P. Murray Community Center’s playground as part of bike safety month. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tino Franks gets a high-five from his mom Jessica Althoff while riding on a temporary pumptrack along the Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo, CA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The city installed the track below the Norman P. Murray Community Center’s playground as part of bike safety month. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kids ride on a temporary pumptrack along the Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo, CA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The city installed the track below the Norman P. Murray Community Center’s playground as part of bike safety month. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kids ride on a temporary pumptrack along the Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo, CA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The city installed the track below the Norman P. Murray Community Center’s playground as part of bike safety month. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brandon Polizzi rides on a temporary pumptrack along the Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo, CA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The city installed the track below the Norman P. Murray Community Center’s playground as part of bike safety month. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Gus Franks runs on a temporary pumptrack along the Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo, CA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The city installed the track below the Norman P. Murray Community Center’s playground as part of bike safety month. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new track coincides with Bike Safety Month and is only temporary. It’s free and open from 7 a.m. to dusk until May 19.
“We encourage the community to enjoy our trail system, and we hope this temporary amenity encourages more people to explore the Oso Creek Trail,” city official said.
Located near the Norman P. Murray Community Center’s playground in the Celebration Garden close to the bridge, the pumptrack is meant for riders to enjoy, practice cycling skills and get some exercise, officials said.
Motorized vehicles or devices are not allowed on the track, and riders must avoid using it if there are hazardous conditions, like if the track is icy or wet, they said.
Residents are also encouraged to check out the pumptrack on Saturday, May 4, with Capt. Jason Ivins, the city’s new chief of police services. The city has invited community members to meet and cycle with Ivins near the pumptrack from 9 to 11 a.m.
