Guest Column: Bikefill is a world-class bike park that will serve the entire community

By Bill Cochran, GVLT Board Member

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

When I am on my mountain bike, I feel like a kid again. It’s like a fountain of youth. That’s why I get out and ride every day.

It’s also why I haven’t been able to stop smiling since Bozeman’s City Commission last week formally approved a framework for a new community bike project in partnership with the Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) — marking a significant milestone in plans to build a world-class facility for all ages and abilities right here in Bozeman.

It began 13 years ago when the City’s Solid Waste Division approached Gary Vodehnal, GVLT’s trails program manager at the time, with a question: Would GVLT like to do something with the 66-acre parcel between Snowfill Recreation Area and the old city landfill?

Between the natural topography of the property and its proximity to Snowfill, the idea of a community bike park immediately rose to the top. And, thus, the vision for “Bikefill” was born.

The demand for this type of community resource is clear.

Bozeman Youth Cycling’s programs, now serving almost 250 kids, fill up in minutes. The limitation? Trail space. Our local NICA team has nearly 200 participants, also needing time on local trails.

GVLT’s trail counters tell the same story. The sharp increase in trail use during COVID has only continued to rise in a rapidly growing community. And more trail users inevitably lead to more trail conflicts.

At a time when people — particularly kids — are choosing between getting outside or getting online, why wouldn’t we do everything we can to encourage the former?

The Bikefill project is a unique public-private partnership between GVLT, the City of Bozeman, and Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association (SWMMBA). GVLT will manage the design, engineering, and construction of the bike park, while consulting with SWMMBA and other advisory groups, including Bozeman Youth Cycling, NICA, Bozeman Cyclocross, and Eagle Mount.

Initial plans, based on input from these key stakeholders and research of some of the top bike parks across the country, include features such as pump tracks of varying difficulty levels and a skills area for kids to learn better technique and build their confidence.

The terrain provides a perfect setting for flow trails and a jump line for the more advanced riders. The size of the property allows for over five miles of single-track trail, with enough elevation to be challenging, while also having more moderate grades for the less aggressive riders.

This park can also serve the cyclocross community with unique features such as stairs and a sand pit.

The project will include a parking lot that will not only accommodate Bikefill users but also provide Snowfill visitors with much-needed overflow parking. The City of Bozeman is taking on the critical task of improving McIlhattan Road.

While I have painted a picture of this park in my mind many times, we actually have a 66-acre blank canvas. We will be asking the community to help finalize the design in the coming months through design charettes, visioning sessions, and the City’s Engage Bozeman website.

So, whether you’re a biker who can’t wait to hit the park, a parent who is excited to watch their kids grow their skills, a non-biking trail user who looks forward to easing pressure on our existing trail system, or a community member who recognizes an opportunity to create a tremendous community asset that will be a destination for bikers across Montana — I hope you, too, smile when you think about Bikefill and will join me in helping make this long-held dream a reality.

Let’s get this done!