Cyclists reject velodrome safety concerns - Canberra Times - The Canberra Times

The Canberra cycling community are outraged at the closure of the Narrabundah velodrome. (L-R) Australian Masters sprint champion Daniel Rickard, Canberra cycling coach Brian Simpson and national sprint academy athlete Catherine Culvenor. Photo: Katherine Griffiths

Canberra cyclists have rejected safety concerns at the Narrabundah Velodrome and called for the facility to be immediately reopened by the ACT government.

Days after the Kyeema Street velodrome was closed due to unspecified safety problems, ACT Sport and Recreation Minister Andrew Barr said the government was working to reopen the track ''as soon as possible''.

Built in 1972, the 333-metre concrete outdoor circuit is used by the ACT Academy of Sport and the ACT Cycling Federation as well as individual athletes. Australian Masters sprint champion Daniel Rickard wrote to Mr Barr on Saturday calling for the release of a engineering report which found problems with the geometry of the track and the transitions of its slopes.

Completed by engineering and infrastructure firm Cardno, the report followed another study commissioned by the Canberra Cycling Club which called for $150,000 in track improvements and $50,000 on new lighting.

Rickard said his training for October's World Masters championships in Manchester would be jeopardised by the closure, and other athletes would have to travel to Sydney to use adequate training facilities. More than 30 athletes, coaches and family members gathered on Monday, angry at a lack of consultation on the decision and concerned about future training programs for Canberra cyclists.

National Sprint Academy athlete Catherine Culvenor said the facility was integral to her training for future international-level competition.

''I have been training here for the past six years, multiple times a week,'' the 20-year-old said. ''Basically I can't compete in my sport without it and to suggest we can do the same training at the Queanbeyan Velodrome is just ludicrous because it is in a public park and not the same kind of track. There is nothing unsafe about this velodrome. Little kids as young as six … learn to ride here and there have been very few injuries.''

Coach Brian Simpson called for more information and said he was ''devastated'' at the decision.

''I find this personally a great place to give kids skills for their future career,'' he said. ''I wouldn't say this is more unsafe than any other venues around Australia. If you give this place respect and use it under good instruction, I have not seen a fall from that.''

He said injuries at the velodrome were rare, and at consistent rates with comparable facilities.

''We would like some very clear indication of what they are going to do because we need a venue here in Canberra,'' Mr Simpson said.

On Monday, Mr Barr said the government was formulating its response to the engineers' report and would consider releasing the document to cycling stakeholders.

''The government will investigate options to fix the velodrome,'' Mr Barr said. ''At this stage it is too early to say what work might be needed … but we are currently preparing options to reopen the track as soon as possible.''