Luckily motorcycling is able to make a positive contribution in all these areas.
Despite a diminished level of access and low level of awareness by the general public of access rights on the unsealed Green Roads Network, (Byway Open to All Traffic – BOAT, Unclassified Country Roads – UCR, and Other Route with Public Access – ORPA), Trail Riders share the same passion to explore and enjoy the countryside as others do and happily share routes with walkers, cyclists, horse riders and the disabled.
All roads were once unsealed and for a variety of reasons some remain so. Ever since motorcycles were invented in the early 1800’s motorcyclists have enjoyed exploring the country on two wheels, becoming deeply ingrained into British culture as a traditional and proper rural pastime that should be treasured and celebrated. Events such as the Exeter Trial, can trace its origins back to the early 1900s.
Trail Riding brings benefits to riders, businesses, communities, the national economy and the countryside itself.
Trail Riders support authorities in a variety of ways including maintenance, policing, and rider education and digital signposting.
There is an estimated 350,000 miles of highway in England and Wales. Roughly 40% are paths or restricted byways and off-limits to public motor traffic. The other highways are nearly all roads made up with tarmac – black roads. Between the black roads and paths are around 6,000 miles of Green Roads that are available for the public to responsibly enjoy by reasonable means of travel, including motorcycling.
With Green Roads subject to such a broad range of naming conventions and designations, and being recorded in multiple places such as Local Authorities’ Definitive Map and Highway Authorities’ List of Streets, it was considered that one all-embracing public-facing online and real-time map of the Green Roads was in the public’s interest.
The Green Road Map (GRM) has been created by the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) to provide clarity and certainty as to the public’s right to use a motorcycle on the Green Road Network of England and Wales.
If you work for a National Park, Local or Police authority then send us an email using your authority email address for a GRM information pack.
The Green Road Network provides unique public access to the countryside unlike any other, and yet it is not celebrated or recognized for the special asset that it is and has been depleted over decades instead of improved for the benefit of the public access.
Like all adopted highways these routes need to be maintained which falls to authorities who face challenges with both funding and resources. For decades the TRF have supported authorities with special projects, volunteers as well as direct funding.
Green Road Grants are available for local authorities to apply for and take the form of both financial support and workforce to the sum of £5,000.
If you have a project you are looking for support with, please email us the details.
The TRF recognises that in these financially straitened times, the resources available to local authorities for highways management and maintenance are limited.
With over five decades involvement in such work the TRF has developed a significant level of understanding and expertise in keeping the Green Road Network in good health, and regularly works with authorities in a variety of ways to support and fund them.
If you would like to discuss any issue relating the Green Roads or Trail riding email; conservation@trf.org.uk
The Land Access and Recreation Association (LARA) is an umbrella organisation and forum that brings together the leading national associations in motor sport and recreation. LARA promotes and advocates responsible and sustainable motor sport and recreation.
Managing Motor Vehicle Use in the Countryside is a good practice guide to traffic management on unsealed public roads.
Britain is blessed with some of the most incredible countryside in the world, a place that should be shared, enjoyed and respected by all no matter how they choose to explore it.
The Green Road Network provides unique public access to this rural landscape unlike any other, but sadly a minority seeks to misrepresent these public roads and the historic rural enjoyment of exploring them by motorcycle.
Green Roads for All takes a closer look at facts around the Green Road Network and the value of Trail Riding to the environment, public access, rural communities, local and national economies as well as the health and wellbeing of riders.
Every year the TRF is involved in conservation projects that help maintain the Green Road Network for all users to explore and enjoy…
A short history of public mapping and how it has impacted the status and reputation of Green Roads and Trail Riders ability to use them
Leading organisations join forces to support an Outdoors For All manifesto, seeking to extend responsible access…
Trail Riders Fellowship
Registered in England and
Wales No. 05848933
218 Strand London WC2R 1AT
