frequently asked questions

Please check out our FAQs before contacting us:

Of course – the more the merrier! To ride your own bike at Popkum, you will need a membership and a ride pass. Check out our Memberships page for more details.

There is no minimum age to ride at Popkum! We have little rippers riding as young as 3.  The minimum age to join a group lesson is 6 years old, but private lessons are available for riders under 6 years old. Minors (under 19 years old) need both parents to sign a parental waiver when signing up for a membership or renting a bike.

There are no age restrictions for riding rental equipment (with the exception of ATV rentals, in which case the rider must be at least 16 years old). Minors (under 19) may need an adult to be the “renter” if they are unable to provide a damage deposit. A credit card with an available balance for the damage deposit is required for all rentals.

Popkum Motor Park staff may require you to prove riding proficiency before the rental begins and may require that a lesson be taken before the rental equipment is released. Being able to touch the ground is recommended for most rentals. 

 

No worries, we rent motorcycles! We also rent all the gear you will need for a safe and enjoyable time on your motorcycle. See our Rentals page to learn about our rental equipment.

No problem – we do lessons! The ever-popular Popkum Learn To Ride program runs weekly, and we also have a host of other lesson options. See our Lessons page to learn more.

If we are open, we are offering lessons! Private lessons are offered based on your own schedule (and instructor availability) so be sure to book in advance at least a week.

The Learn To Ride Intro program runs weekly.  The Popkum Evolution lessons run monthly when enough riders are registered (classes need a minimum of 3 riders to run); contact the track office for available dates.  The MSF course is offered once in the Spring and once in the Fall.

You can take the lesson with your friend or child – we do advise that your riding buddy is at a similar riding level as you so that you are learning the same thing and getting the most out of the lesson!

Check out our Cancellation Policy.

If you are late for your private lesson, it should not be a problem to start up to 30 minutes late, provided the instructor doesn’t have a lesson booked right after yours. If this is the case, or you are more than 30 minutes late, we may have to reschedule your lesson. Please show up 30 minutes early to sign in at the track office, gear up (ours or yours) and unload your bike, and be ready to go for the start of your lesson.

Learn To Ride program lessons start at the scheduled lesson time sharp with gearing up and safety information that all riders must hear.  If you miss the opening information, you will not be able to make up the time and continue in the class.  (We will make arrangements for you to re-book the lesson).  Please show up at least 30 minutes prior to the lesson to sign in at the track office and get sized up for a bike before the lesson starts.

All children under the age of 12 require a legal guardian to be present at all times. We encourage parents to stay and watch what their child is learning to be able to reinforce the skills learned at a later time. In the interest of safety, we do ask that parents do not interfere with coaching by attempting to offer instructions to their children from the sidelines.

Parents are also encouraged to take photos and videos from safe vantage points. We have a covered area and chairs for parents to watch from, as long as you don’t interfere with any instructions or general flow of the lessons or riders around the park.

Yes. For lots of lessons it can be best to use your own bike, so that you learn what you really need to know. However, for introductory dual sport and adventure bike lessons we suggest starting on our bikes. Developing your skills on one of our user friendly, lightweight, appropriately sized trail motorcycles is the easiest way to build skills. Learning on a light-weight bike gives you the opportunity to practice skills with confidence, without having to worry about wrestling your heavy bike. You will gain skills and abilities that are greater than what your dual sport or adventure bike can handle, and then you can transfer those skills to your big bike.

The bikes we provide are trail motorcycles that are user friendly, lightweight, appropriately sized, durable, and confidence inspiring.  The size of bike you choose is based on rider size; you need to be able to touch the ground to ride safely!  Our semi-automatic bikes are 50cc and 110cc, and clutch bikes are from 125cc to 250cc. If you need gear, the gear you wear will also be sized to you and is the full line of the newest of Fox apparel. You will get everything you need: boots, helmet, pants, jersey, gloves, knee pads, elbow pads, goggles and chest protector.  We rent full sets of gear or individual pieces, for example goggles or gloves (the most forgotten pieces of equipment).

We recommend reserving rentals, however, it is not necessary. Reservations guarantee that the size of motorcycle or gear you want is available.

Currently, you cannot share a bike.

If you are renting gear, please wear shorts or spandex pants for wearing under the rental gear, and knee socks (as ankle socks get “pulled off” in MX boots).  Please bring appropriate rain gear if necessary (if you are renting gear from the track, it only includes MX pants and jerseys, not rain gear or jackets). Lessons run rain or shine, so dress appropriately in layers.

The minimum required safety gear at Popkum Motor Park is:

  • DOT approved full face helmet
  • Goggles or eye protection
  • Long pants and long-sleeve jersey
  • Gloves
  • Boots with ankle support

Popkum Motor Park recommends that all riders wear:

  • MX boots
  • Chest protector
  • Knee and elbow pads
  • Neck brace

If you don’t have gear, we rent full sets of gear (all the above).  If you only need a few pieces, you can rent each piece separately. 

You are going to be wearing appropriate safety gear (full MX gear and a full-face helmet) and working hard, so please bring lots of water regardless of weather. There are minimal food sales at the park, so please pack drinks and snacks. If it’s raining, bring wet weather gear (even if you are renting gear).  If it’s muddy, a change of clothes for the drive home might be nice. If it’s sunny, bring sun screen. Bug spray can be helpful at certain times of year. Bring signed waivers for registration… Minors (under 19) need a parental waiver signed by BOTH parents, so if you need to, print out the waiver, sign it, and bring it with you. 

We have clean porta potties located around the park.

We do have an outdoor shower rigged up for a quick rinse off on the hot days!

Yes, we have level 3 first aid attendants on site AT ALL TIMES. Come to the park office or find a park staff if you need any medical assistance.

When it is busy (weekends, holidays, during the summer) we have flaggers on the main track.

We host races at the park periodically – keep an eye on our social media for upcoming events!

We have a 2.5km “Family Loop” perimeter trail that runs the perimeter of the park.  It is the equivalent difficulty of a fire-access road (we can get the water trucks around it).  We also have about 30km of trails that head up the mountain to the south of the track.  These trails are quite difficult, hard intermediate trails, not for beginners like the Family Loop is. 

Yes, but not on the main tracks. You can ride your full size quad on the family loop and the trails. Kids can ride 50cc quads on the Jr. Track. 

Rain or shine!!!  Getting dirty is what it’s all about.  However, we are closed for snow and ice, so check the website for up to date hours. Wash bays are located on site for you to blast the mud off before you go home on the wetter days.

The same applies to lessons – learning to ride in the rain actually makes you a more skilled rider!

A credit card is required for all rentals of bikes and gear because all rentals (bikes and gear) require a damage deposit.  Damage deposits range from $25 for a pair of gloves to $1500 for a performance bike.  Call or email the track to inquire about damage deposits if you need more information.

A damage deposit is a hold for a set amount on your credit card, your credit card is not charged, but you will require an available balance for the set amount. If you return your rental in good condition, the hold is released.  If you need to pay damages, then depending on the amount (or your preference), we can return your deposit and charge you in cash or debit or take the cost of damage out of the deposit amount.

Not entirely.  You will only be charged for damages you cause.  This can be as little as $20 for a standard lever replacement.  This can also be all the way inclusive of full replacement charges for an entire rental unit.  The damage deposit may be held until we know the cost of damages, which may not be known until repairs are completed, or we can acquire parts pricing.

Renters will be responsible to pay for all damages including parts, labour, and/or replacement.  Common items include bent or broken levers, bars, perches, cracked or broken plastic, ripped seat covers, damaged exhausts/mufflers, etc.  You will be billed for the full amount of the damages (parts, labour and/or replacement) caused by you.  Damages may exceed your damage deposit, and you will be responsible for the entire bill, which may not be known until repairs are completed.

Note that Popkum will be responsible for engine or drive train problems, including flat tires.

Choose all your gear sizes to the best of your ability (guesses are OK).  If you require a different size, we can accommodate most substitutions on site the day of.  We have a very well-stocked gear room.

Most motorcycle rentals will be based on ability to touch the ground. Our office staff will help you choose the right sized bike for you based on your height when you make your reservation. If you have reserved the wrong size of bike, we can accommodate most substitutions on site the day of.  However, motorcycle rental fees vary by bike, so the price may be adjusted accordingly.

No. We do not believe in training wheels, we believe in training. If you can ride a peddle bike with no training wheels, you do not need them on a dirt bike either!