East Lothian is widely celebrated as Scotland’s “Golf Coast,” and it is also becoming increasingly well recognised as a fantastic road and off road cycling destination.
As enthusiasm for cycling grows, there is an exciting opportunity to better support local young people in developing the skills and confidence they need to ride safely.
Pump tracks are flowing, hard surfaced looped circuits that combine rolling jumps with turns, momentum, speed and balance. Instead of pedalling, riders use their arms and legs to “pump” their way around the track, making it suitable for people of all ages and abilities. The asphalt surface allows the track to be used in all weathers, and it continues to offer challenge and progression as riders’ skills develop.
East Lothian’s pump track journey
In 2019, the community group Friends of Ormiston Park set out to meet community need through creating the region’s first community pump track.
East Lothian Council worked in partnership with the community group to design the final track which is used by bikes, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades and adapted equipment.
Ormiston Park Community Pump Track was one of the first projects to receive investment from the £8million Cycling Facilities Fund which aims to deliver a tangible benefit from the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and across Scotland.
The project received £45,000 from the fund, which was supplemented by match funding from the waste and water management company SUEZ, and the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund, as well as individual donations from community supporters.
Watch the Ormiston Park Community Pump Track (OPCPT) opening day video below to see a pump track in action.
Creating more places to ride
Ormiston Park Community Pump Track has quickly become a transformational asset for both the village and the wider county.
With significant housing growth across the region, families are eager for more traffic free, challenging and free to use outdoor activity spaces close to home; places that inspire cycling skills, active lifestyles, resilience, and a strong sense of community.
Reflections from the community show how pump tracks are bringing people of all ages together, creating welcoming, inclusive spaces that build confidence, reducing isolation, and supporting independent, resilient play.
“I’ve never seen another environment so friendly, with such a mix of ages.”
“We regularly drive from North Berwick to the Ormiston Park Community Pump Track, it's amazing for all ages and a fantastic free day out.”
“It’s hugely increased my son’s confidence. A similar facility near Musselburgh would be incredible.”
“It encourages social interaction and reduces boredom, meaning less anti-social behaviour.”
The success and positive outcomes have directly inspired East Lothian Council’s ambition to create six additional pump tracks, one in each of the authority’s principal towns, all shaped by community consultation.
Steve Wands, Club & Community Sports Development Officer, East Lothian Council, says:
“Looking ahead, the focus will be on supporting the growth of cycle clubs, hosting regular events and sessions, strengthening partnerships with schools and expanding targeted programmes for groups who face additional barriers to participation.”
As of March 2026, two new tracks are already open, with four more in development. This marks an exciting and significant expansion of accessible, community focused and free to access active spaces across the region.
The increased activity encouraged by the pump tracks supports key policy priorities around 20-minute communities, health and wellbeing, inclusion, sustainable travel and welcoming public spaces for everyone.
Powered by collaboration
The pump tracks have been a catalyst for new partnerships, volunteering pathways, and community-led initiatives.
By partnering with organisations such as TheSpaceDunbar and Active Schools, on site storage for bikes and safety equipment have been developed beside the Pump Track in Dunbar. This is enabling targeted sessions, inclusive cycling opportunities, and equipment-loan schemes.
Through partnership working and collaboration, a range of volunteering opportunities have opened up for young people—helping them learn to lead others, develop technical skills, and achieve positive outcomes.
In partnership with a range of outdoor education, Active Schools and connected communities colleagues, National Governing Bodies, third sector and voluntary organisations, East Lothian Council are planning to use pump tracks to deliver targeted programmes, ranging from a P7-S1 girls transition project to holiday sessions camps and neurodivergent sessions.
Shaped by the community
Consultation feedback for the Ormiston Park Community Pump Track shows how wide ranging and engaged the local community has been.
Among the 284 respondents, 59% were female which demonstrates the track’s strong appeal to women and girls—a group often underrepresented in sport and outdoor activity, as highlighted in Make Space for Girls research.
The Ormiston Park Community Pump Track has enabled powerful and wide ranging outcomes for local individuals and families.
As one community member shared, “Bringing the pump track to the village has provided a wonderful opportunity to get people together, boost their mental and physical health and see the park being more regularly used.”
Almost half of respondents reported improved fitness and physical health (47%), while 46% noted better wellbeing and mental health.
The track has also strengthened social connections, with 63% of users spending more quality time with family and friends. Importantly, it has boosted skills and confidence, with 69% reporting improved bike, scooter or wheeled sport handling abilities.
A growing community of riders
Each pump track in East Lothian is bustling every day with riders of all ages and abilities. The North Berwick community pump track is especially lively, with young people flocking to it even before the school day begins.
An authority wide pump track consultation gathered feedback from more than 2,500 respondents and showed encouraging feedback from users.
Encouragement of healthy and active lifestyles: 75%
Deterrence of anti-social behaviour: 36%
Improved community assets and use of previously vacant space: 55–57%
A meeting point for social connection: 58%
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