Bust out the bicycles and snap on the helmets at San Francisco first-ever bike park! Located in SF’s Excelsior neighborhood (near the Cow Palace), McLaren Bike Park has been a welcomed addition to both the neighborhood and the local cycling community. Scroll down to read more about what you can find there!
The History of McLaren Park
Almost ten years in the making, the just under half-acre McLaren Bike Park is packed full of fun for youth mountain bikers and BMX riders. The bike park took over a city parking lot in McLaren Park, across from San Francisco Unified School District’s Science Resource Center. This long-neglected spot was often full of trash and went unused by the neighboring community. The addition of the McLaren Bike Park brings a safe spot for kids to exercise and hone their bike riding skills.
Photo: McLaren Bike Park
The Pump Track
The inner section, called the pump track, includes dirt mounds and steeply-banked turns. Designed for intermediate to advanced riders, traffic on the pump track is multi-directional so riders need to be aware of their surroundings when riding there.
The Skills Trail
Surrounding the pump track is the skills trail loop. Here, riders from beginners on up can practice turns, braking and navigating other riders on the trail.
The Future
Currently the park is open for drop-in riding where staff will be available to provide free assistance with bike riding skills. In the spring, the SF Recreation and Park Department will offer programming on site including classes like Bike Park Etiquette – Introduction to Park Riding; Bike Park Basics – Introduction to Pump Tracks; and Bike Skill Building – Introduction to Riding Elements. In the summer of 2018 you can expect to find their bike camp taking up residence there.
This is just the beginning for McLaren Bike Park. The pump track and skills trail are phase one of the project that will add cycling trails to eight acres of the surrounding property.
McLaren Bike Park
2050 Sunnydale Ave.
San Francisco, CA
Online: mclarenbikepark.com
Photos courtesy of the author except where noted.
