QUEANBEYAN council (QPRC) is removing a series of bike jumps built by kids at a Jerrabomberra reserve.

The jumps are near the nature reserve between Numeralia Drive and Dillwynia Crescent.

In a post on Facebook, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) said it’s demolishing the home-made bike jumps and bike track for safety reasons.

“What started out as a few small mounds of dirt on the edges of the reserve was a great way to encourage kids to get outdoors and be active,” a QPRC spokesperson said.

“Unfortunately the bike track has expanded way beyond just a few mounds of dirt and now there are deep holes and excavation in the middle of the reserve that have damaged plants and native vegetation.

“These deep holes and large bike ramps are now presenting a safety issue for others.”

But the decision has “disappointed” a number of locals who took to Facebook to express their concern.

“Couldn’t council just work on what’s already been established, put a fence around the vegetation, make it a bit safer?,” commented Craig Sutton on the QPRC Facebook page.

“In a couple of months there will be posts on the Queanbeyan Community page about how there’s too much youth crime because kids have nothing to do.”

“Sadly the council needs to put a stop to it because of the environmental protection,” commented Kristy Morton, “there should be a dirt track for kids in Jerra…kids need to be outside playing building and having real fun.”

“I guess the kids will go back to indoor devices and not go out side and get exercise, way to go QPRC for the encouragement for the future kid of today,” wrote Adam De Lorger.

Acknowledging that the decision would “disappoint” some locals, council says it wants to work with residents to design a new bike track at another location.

“We know this is disappointing for all those kids and parents involved,” a QPRC spokesperson said.

“We want to work with you to explore options for where we might be able to build something more suitable.”

Work to remove the jumps and remediate the reserve should start in September.

Anyone with ideas for a new bike track at Jerrabomberra should contact council.