Today’s official launch of the UK MTB Trail Alliance sees the arrival of an organisation dedicated to supporting trail associations, bike parks, and informal trail groups, advocating for UK riders and their trails.
With more than 100 groups already on board, UK MTB Trail Alliance offers trail associations, bike parks and informal trail groups the chance to share knowledge and pool their influence.
At launch, the organisation is seeking support from riders – via crowdfunding – to accelerate progress already made.
Robin Grant, founder and chair of the UK MTB Trail Alliance comments: “The UK MTB Trail Alliance will protect and improve our amazing but fragile network of official and unofficial trails, by giving them the support and the representation they need.
Critically, Grant points out: “… we can’t do it without your help. Think about what trails mean to you, contribute what you can, and spread the word.”
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The UK MTB Trail Alliance – By riders, for riders
The UK MTB Trail Alliance brings together more than 100 of the UK’s trail associations, bike parks and informal trail groups to share knowledge and best practice and to give them a voice at a national level.
The Alliance will advocate for the UK’s riders and their trails, building relationships with national landowners, governing bodies and national governments, to foster a more progressive approach.
Aiming for a future with better and more sustainable trails – where trails have the resources, volunteers, knowledge and permission to prosper – will see the Alliance work with landowners to allay and mitigate their concerns, and help local communities take on their management.
The aim here is a simple one – fewer unofficial trails shut down.
“There’s a lot of great momentum growing around mountain biking and trails at the moment, and it’s important riders, trail builders and trail stewards have a voice,” says Manon Carpenter, trail advocate, Specialized Soil Searching and Patagonia ambassador and UK MTB Trail Alliance trustee.
“Support the crowdfund with what you can, to make sure we collectively have a seat at the table where decisions are made.”
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Already active and delivering
Behind the scenes, the UK MTB Trail Alliance has already:
- Provided hands-on support to groups up and down the country.
- Convened conversations with experts on a range of topics to help members on monthly Zoom calls.
- Engaged with the UK Trails Project and its ‘right trail, right place, right people, right time’ report.
- Partnered with Welsh Cycling on the launch of the Developing Mountain Biking in Wales project.
- Built relationships with landowners like Forestry England and NRW, national governing bodies like British Cycling and Cycling UK, and national government departments like DEFRA.
In a short time, the Alliance has already demonstrated the benefits that collaboration and a collective voice can bring.
Jo Atkinson, Wyllie Bike Park and Risca Riders, commented: “Pre-launch, the UK MTB Trail Alliance have already gone above and beyond to provide advice and support to Wyllie Bike Park and Risca Riders.
“The alliance offers so much promise for helping trail groups and the trails they look after grow. If you’re passionate about trails, please donate what you can.”