Where Can You Ride a Motorbike 'Off-Road' in the UK?

So there’s the misnomer in the title question. We’re not talking ‘off-road’, that’s riding on private land for events like trials, enduro and motocross. What people should be asking is, where can I ride unsealed roads, aka green roads. Yes, to be correct, we’re looking at green roads, which is the all-encapsulating term for unsurfaced tracks that carry vehicular rights, these are otherwise known as Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATs) and Unclassified Country Roads (UCRs). These are the unsealed ‘trails’ where motor vehicle rights exist but aren’t always clearly signed.

Are Green Lanes Legal for Motorbikes?

Not every unsurfaced track is open to motorbikes. Public footpaths and bridleways are not legal for motorised use, and riding them is both an offence and a major source of friction with landowners and walkers. Definitive maps held by local county councils show the legal status of any route, while the TRF publishes its own guidance and, through the GRM and local groups, you may access mapped routes specifically checked for vehicular rights.

Always verify status before riding somewhere new, don’t rely on old guidebooks or forum posts alone, as Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) can close or restrict lanes at short notice, especially after bad weather.