Over 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for the creation of a bike park in Southport.
It has been set up by Claire Kelly, the founder and director of Southport Piano Academy and the founder of the Southport Young Musicians Competition.
She is due to present the petition to the full meeting of Sefton Council at Southport Town Hall at 6.30pm on Thursday (10th July 2025) and is encouraging people to attend the meeting to support her appeal.
You can sign the petition here: Change.org – Results page
On her petition, she says: “Right now, mountain biking (MTB) is one of the fastest-growing hobbies among young people in Southport. It gets them outdoors, active, and off screens — exactly the kind of healthy lifestyle we should be encouraging.
“Over 500 local teens have joined a group called ‘Potential Bike Park’, all passionate about mountain biking. With no local facilities available, they’ve started building their own jumps in Bedford Park — away from children’s play areas and with care for their environment. But instead of support, they’ve been threatened with fines, police involvement, and seen their hard work destroyed by the council.
“These boys are respectful, polite, and just want somewhere safe to ride. The nearest official bike park is over 50 minutes away — not practical or accessible for most of them.
“We call on Sefton Council to:
Recognise the growing need for a local mountain bike park in Southport.
Work with young riders and the community to identify a safe, suitable location.
Support permissions and funding to make this project a reality.
Encourage outdoor, screen-free activities that benefit physical and mental health.
“”These teens aren’t causing trouble — they’re asking for support. Let’s listen, and show them their community believes in them.”
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