UK TRAILS PROJECT PUBLISHES FIRST OF ITS KIND, IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION INTO THE UK TRAILS NETWORK AT SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN BIKE CONFERENCE TODAY.

After an exciting 12 months, the UK Trails Project today reaches an important milestone with the release of its first report ‘The Trail – Its People, Place and Time’, at the Scottish Mountain Bike Conference taking place in the Tweed Valley.

This landmark document presents the results of project manager, David Evans, engagement with members of the mountain bike and land management communities over the last year, with over 2000 survey responses, 8 public workshops, and 30 interviews with key stakeholders across the UK.

‘The Trail’ provides an interesting and informative read for everyone with an interest mountain bike trail provision.

UK Trail Project Manager David Evans said:

‘We are delighted to today release this report. ‘The Trail’ addresses the challenges the sport faces as it seeks to create a more secure and sustainable future, with issues such as the lack of trail provision in certain areas and the need for greater consideration for other users and habitats in the shared spaces riders enjoy.’

‘It also documents the sport’s history and key stages in the rapid evolution which created mountain biking as we know it today. Using feedback from riders at all technical levels we were able to evidence the health and societal benefits mountain biking brings and why it defines many riders’ lives. These real-life stories paint a broad picture of mountain biking, explaining what and how the sport impacts and brings benefit to people’s lives in ways that often go undervalued.’

Building trust and open communication has been the UK Trails Project’s greatest strength. By taking a listening and pragmatic approach, Dave has brought together parties which may not have spoken for several years.

As it enters Phase 2, the project will work with several partners to build the frameworks required to make cooperation between riders and land managers easier, more structured and in some cases, possible for the first time.

Dan Cook, Forestry England said:

“Since the 1990s we have created an extensive network of cycle trails, providing the broadest range and some of the best off-road routes in England. We are proud to support the UK Trails Project, and this new report compliments our own recently-published strategy.

“It is great to see the views, experiences, and hopes of many stakeholders, including individual riders, trail groups, other users, and land managers. As the first stage of the UK Trails Project, this crucial document will help shape our approaches.

“At Forestry England we will use the report to support our ever-strengthening relationships with trusting and positive trail associations and rider groups. Together, we can continue to deliver cycling and mountain biking activities across the nation’s forests; the most popular place to cycle off-road in England.”

Amy Gardner Sport and Participation Director at British Cycling said:

‘Over the last 18 months, British Cycling has been pleased to be a steering group member of the UK trails project (UKTP). This unique project, led by Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS), is now releasing its first report designed to review the state of mountain biking in the UK. We’re delighted to support the project's aims of bringing together the mountain biking and land management communities and improving communication and understanding to help secure sustainable and accessible trails for the future.’

Philip Weston, Head of Place Shaping at Outscape Northern Ireland

“Outscape is delighted to have been part of the UK Trails Project, and we applaud the team for their work to date. This initial report lays a crucial foundation for greater collaboration between land managers and mountain bikers both here in Northern Ireland, and across the UK. We believe its recommendations will enhance sustainable trail development and eagerly anticipate the comprehensive insights from the next phase of the project."

Robbie George, Director of Development and Events at Beicio Cymru (Welsh Cycling)

We at Beicio Cymru are delighted to see the publication of this incredibly valuable report. We are excited about the future of our trails, and the positive impact that the report and the work packages planned for 2025 will undoubtedly have on them. Bringing together volunteer groups and landowners for the benefit of our MTB trail infrastructure will only serve to strengthen our message that Wales is made for bikes.

Alex Rafferty, SRAM MTB Communications Manager added:

"The UK Trails Project marks an exciting step forward in uniting key stakeholders across the mountain biking community to create a clear and collaborative approach to trail building, maintenance, and access. In just its first year, the project has already developed a versatile range of management options that can be scaled to meet the unique needs of different trail types.

By bringing together landowners, cycling organizations, and professional bodies, the project fosters a shared understanding of each group’s priorities, creating a solid foundation for the future growth and sustainability of our sport."

Using data and expert input from across the UK, The Trail concludes by setting out ten work packages which the UK Trails Project will deliver over the next two years to help create a more sustainable and suitable trail network throughout the UK.