The UK MTB Trail Alliance
The UK MTB Trail Alliance is a dedicated organisation committed to supporting trail associations, bike parks, and informal trail groups across the UK. Their mission is to advocate for riders and their trails, ensuring a sustainable and thriving future for mountain biking.
By uniting over 100 of the UK's trail associations, bike parks, and informal trail groups, the Alliance facilitates the sharing of knowledge and best practices, providing these groups with a collective voice at the national level. They work to build relationships with national landowners, governing bodies, and governments to foster a more progressive approach to trail management.
The Alliance's vision includes creating better and more sustainable trails by ensuring they have the necessary resources, volunteers, knowledge, and permissions to prosper. They aim to reduce the closure of unofficial trails by collaborating with landowners to address concerns and assist local communities in managing these trails.
Operating as a volunteer-run organization with no paid salaries, the UK MTB Trail Alliance relies on community support to cover essential expenses such as membership fees for professional bodies, administrative costs associated with establishing and running a charity, and other operational expenses. To support their efforts, they have launched a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising £10,000 to cover their first-year costs.
Robin Grant, founder and chair of the UK MTB Trail Alliance, emphasizes the importance of community support:
"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. But we can’t do it without your help. Think about what trails mean to you, contribute what you can, and spread the word."
Manon Carpenter, trail advocate and UK MTB Trail Alliance trustee, adds:
"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. Support the crowdfund with what you can, to make sure we collectively have a seat at the table where decisions are made."
By contributing to the UK MTB Trail Alliance, you are investing in the future of mountain biking trails across the UK, ensuring they remain accessible, sustainable, and enjoyable for all.
To support the UK MTB Trail Alliance and help protect your trails, please consider donating to their GoFundMe campaign:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-to-protect-your-trails/donate?source=btn_donate