The UK MTB Trail Alliance has contributed to a new report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Outdoor Recreation and Access to Nature. The report calls for legislation to expand access to green and blue spaces — for walkers and a wider range of activities — including proposals to extend statutory access rights to mountain bikers and reduce landowner liability. It draws on submissions from 750+ organisations and individuals and includes 40 recommendations in total.

Download the full report (PDF) • Coverage: The Guardian • APPG site: outdoors.inparliament.uk

What’s being recommended

• Statutory rights to responsible access across more landscapes (including woodlands and inland waters) — for walking and a broader range of activities.
• Extend statutory access rights to additional activities including mountain biking, walking (maintained and expanded), swimming, paddling, horse riding and wild camping.
• Reduce landowner liability for physical features on their land where access is permitted.
• Improve the rights of way network for walkers and riders: simplify upgrades of suitable public footpaths to allow cycling, add cycle tracks to Definitive Maps, and replace stiles on public rights of way with accessible alternatives within five years.
• Overhaul the Countryside Code and Land Managers’ Code to actively promote responsible access for all users, including walkers.

UK MTB Trail Alliance perspective

“We’re feeling really optimistic about the All-Party Parliamentary Group including our three main asks in their report’s recommendations to the UK Government. If implemented, they would represent a monumentally positive change for mountain biking in England, and potentially also influence reform in Wales and Northern Ireland. If you want to help make this happen, please write to your local MP urging them to join the APPG and for them to lobby for the legislation the report recommends.”

— Robin Grant, Founder & Chair, UK MTB Trail Alliance

From Parliament

“The government now has an historic opportunity to improve access for everyone to the great outdoors through primary legislation. Our report sets out clear policy priorities ministers can deliver across government to provide tangible improvements to access… Now is the time to deliver lasting change, so that each and every one of us can exercise a right to responsibly enjoy our natural surroundings.”

— Phil Brickell MP, Chair of the APPG for Outdoor Recreation and Access to Nature

What happens next

The report provides recommendations to the UK Government. Any changes depend on government action and legislation. Walkers, riders and readers who support the proposals can write to their MP to join the APPG and back the measures set out in the report.

Sources: APPG report (September 2025), UK MTB Trail Alliance, The Guardian coverage linked above.

iBikeRide view: Why this matters for riders, non-riders (families and youth)

If implemented, woodland could be included as access land in England and riders could gain rights to ride tracks and paths on that land (which current legislation does not provide). Clearer rights and reduced liability can ease landowner concerns, opening more responsible access. Simplified upgrades of footpaths and fewer stiles would improve practical connectivity.

More broadly, and covering all outdoor activities be it riding or beyond, expanding low- or no-cost access to nature supports healthier alternatives for young people and families close to where they live, reducing travel cost barriers and strengthening both family and social cohesion — particularly for young people, by providing accessible ways to be active outdoors rather than being confined to online spaces.

Read: 45 times Published: 18/09/2025