Motorcycle trail riding on unsealed roads and also off-road sport are part of Britain’s countryside heritage. Responsible riders explore around 6,000 miles of legal unsealed green roads (part of the highways network) across England and Wales, or compete at venues and events managed by clubs, the ACU as the national Governing Body and other event organisers.
But a minority of riders put these much-loved forms of responsible and sustainable active outdoor recreation under threat by riding illegally — on footpaths, bridleways, private and common land, and open moorland where no motor vehicle rights exist. Their actions cause damage the reputation of the responsible majority, damaging relations with landowners and local communities, and fuelling calls to close the very routes and venues that responsible riders depend on.
Increasing frustration within the rider community at the behaviour of this minority has driven this rider action driven Ride Right campaign. It is a shared, national effort — backed by the sport’s Governing Body and the TRF as the leading authority on green road riding — to educate riders, promote responsible behaviour, and make the case that those who ride within the law are proud stewards of the countryside, not a threat to it
Keep it legal. Keep it courteous. Keep it open.
The campaign is built around four clear principles that every rider can adopt — whether they’re exploring green roads on a sunny weekend or competing at a club enduro:
Use only legal public roads, follow signage, and know your responsibilities
Right place
Use practice tracks and private land only with landowner permission or at officially organised events
Right approach
Protect the landscape, follow the Countryside Code, and help keep routes open for everyone.
Right attitude
Share the countryside courteously with walkers, cyclists, horse riders, residents, and those who work the land.
What’s at stake
The scale of what legal riders stand to lose is easy to underestimate. The network of accessible unsealed green roads is already limited. Every incident of illegal riding generates complaints that fuel Traffic Regulation Orders, reclassifications, and permanent closures. Every confrontation with a landowner or local community makes it harder for responsible riders to negotiate or maintain access.
Illegal riding has far reaching consequences. Riding without insurance, without road tax, on private land or public highways where public motoring rights don’t exist — each is a separate offence, each carrying separate penalties. The cumulative impact can end a rider’s licence, affect their livelihood and even result in a custodial sentence.
Driven by the riding community
Responsible riders have long criticised the behaviours of this minority and Ride Right is a campaign to galvanise efforts to drive out these unacceptable behaviours which sees the majority of responsible riders being penalised though reductions in opportunities and access. This is a call to the riding community itself because the most powerful influence on behaviour is the culture of the community itself. Changes in legislation and greater action by the Police are supporting this drive for change.
When experienced and respected riders make clear that illegal riding is unacceptable — not just risky, but wrong — it changes what riders consider normal. Mentoring, club culture, social media, and peer conversation are all part of the solution. National organisations such as the TRF and ACU are committed to amplifying those voices.
Trail riding and off-road motorcycle sport have a long and proud place in British countryside culture. Ride Right exists to keep it that way — by making sure the people who love it most are also the people who protect it best.
TRF CEO Graeme Collins Commented “Some of this minority of individuals are not true motorcyclists; chances are they behave anti-socially in other areas of their lives as well. While for some may be misinformed and inadvertently ride where they shouldn’t. The TRF’s Green Road Map overcomes this issue and shows people where they can ride on unsealed public highways. If they can afford a bike, gear and fuel then they can afford to join the TRF – the price they otherwise could be much higher. He added “Our members are as frustrated and angry about the behaviour as general members of the public in local communities”
Matthew Edwards-Wear CEO of the ACU explained “There are countless fantastic clubs running all kind of events throughout England and Wales” Practice tracks offer riders a closed course off road environment for those who are less inclined to compete so there really are no excuses.”
Tony Campbell, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), said: “The vast majority of off-road motorcyclists do so legally and with full consideration to other people enjoying the countryside, unfortunately there are the few that ignore access rules causing significant reputational damage to Green Lane Motorcycling. That’s why the “Ride Right” campaign is such an important step forward, supporting riders to make informed and responsible choices that help safeguard the future of off-road riding and access to lawful green lanes.
“As a supporter of this campaign, MCIA is committed to working alongside other industry partners to promote safe, legal and considerate riding. By encouraging the right behaviours and challenging illegal activity, we can help protect riders, preserve access and maintain positive relationships with landowners and local communities over the long term.”
The first and most important thing for you to know is we LOVE the countryside – think of us as ramblers on motorcycles…
Trail Riding has significant physical and mental health benefits for those who participate in this historic pastime…u00a0
Leading organisations join forcesu00a0 to support an Outdoors For All manifesto, seeking to extend responsible access…u00a0
Trail Riders Fellowship
Registered in England and
Wales No. 05848933
218 Strand London WC2R 1AT
