Supporters of the Tucson Velodrome are floating a survey to get a better idea about the interest within the cycling community for a velodrome and the potential price people would be willing to pay to use it.
The velodrome has strong supporters throughout the region and was a potential bond project.
There have been questions about the cost to build and the cost to manage the velodrome once completed that have made the plan more complicated.
Take the survey here.
Track racing used to be huge in the US, but it’s a niche activity now. Is building and maintaining one worth the money? I’ve heard people say that races will draw people in from all over and boost the local economy. If other places that have velodromes are making money from them, then it would be a viable thing to build here. The county is getting rid of the Quarter Horse venue because it is a niche activity and doesn’t pay for itself. I think looking at the financial side makes sense.
As far spending taxpayer and/or private funds, I think a velodrome is
a better community project than the downtown streetcar fiasco, for instance.
This
country has around 20 velodromes, most of them outdoor tracks.
Germany, roughly the size of Texas, has about 60 velodromes; France has
around 70, according to No Brakes–Bicycle Track Racing in the US. Any
wonder why US riders get trounced in international track racing (except
for an occasional standout like Sarah Hammer)?
My two
cents is that if a velodrome is managed and marketed correctly, it can
support itself and make money. The Lehigh Velodrome in PA has a huge
program and is one of the most active tracks in the country.
Back
in the 80s, the San Jose Velodrome hosted Friday night track racing
that was advertised so well that the stands were filled. Back then, San
Jose Bike Club coach Don Peterson handled radio and other types of ads
that brought in a crowd.
Also, when you have a
velodrome in a community, it really enhances developing riders, not just
on a fitness level but in terms of increasing skills.
Oh No!
Don, please dont try and get our tax dollars for this.
Why?
Lets guess this serves no more than 0.001% of the Pima populace and certainly nothing ever even approaching 1%.
Economic impact? whatever they put forward divide it by 5 for something meaningful
Oh No! please don’t use our tax dollars for roads.
Why?
Because once you build them they just fill up with carbon belching death machines. Economic impact? Depends on how you figure the negative exrternalities.
@silverpedals It’s funny to me that everyone refers to the Modern Street Car as a Fiasco. Have any of you been downtown lately? Why do you think that there has been so much economic development downtown? The street car hasn’t carried a single passenger and has already brought a revitalization of downtown that is fabulous. I can’t wait until is is operational and we can avoid the traffic that is already starting to back up downtown!
As of the velodrome. Not sure it is good use of tax payer money, but if it can succeed anywhere I think it is here in Tucson. I think the ideal location would be at the Rillito Downs Horse Race track. Replace something rarely used with something that will have constant activity!
I rode on a wooden indoor track at Calshot in England as a kid and it made a huge impact on me. There is nothing like riding a track. I hope this idea gains some traction. I think it would be a fantastic thing to help take cycling to the next level in Tucson. I’d locate it along the loop somewhere so spectators could get there easily by bike. I think it could break even if not make money if done right.