Several local bike enthusiasts are trying to gain support from citizens to save a bike jump park before they are banned from the area.

The jump park is located on land owned by the City of Red Deer and is located west of Riverside Drive and north of 67th St.

In order to preserve the park, the group of users has been instructed to formalize their group and get insurance before they can continue to use the land.

The group of riders was given the option to join another bike group to gain insurance or to form their own not-for-profit group so that users can be insured under the group and so that the City is not liable for any injury sustained in use of the area.

“In the last couple of seasons, the City had recommended we get insurance. They kind of suggested that we should have it, but it wasn’t being pushed hard. On March 10th, I received an email saying that we can either get insurance, or join a bike club or the place has to be torn down,” said Mason Rice, one of the frequent riders and builders at the park.

“If we create our own bike club, we need to get insurance and pay an annual fee. For that, we need members to sign up and help cover the fees. In order to accept fees, we have to form as a non-profit.”

The collection of riders and builders has started an online petition and are trying to raise awareness about the issue and bring people in on the idea to form as a non-profit. From March 10th, the group was given 30 days to come up with some sort of proposal. If they decide to take the action to become a not-for-profit group, they were given 60 days to present an action plan and show that they are taking the steps toward that status.

“We’ve been trying to get everyone into a group, and then we’re going to get the group insured so that the builders and the jumps are insured. That way, if someone does get hurt here, it’s not our fault and the City wouldn’t be liable,” Rice said.

The group attempted to merge with the Central Alberta Bike Club (CABC), but due to the nature of the developed jump park, the CABC declined a partnership.

For more information, Mason Rice can be contacted on facebook, and people can check out the online petition at http://bit.ly/1b6OMD3.

kmendonsa@reddeerexpress.com