Northern Ireland is set to benefit from a brand-new Mountain Bike Trail Maintenance Scheme, an exciting initiative spearheaded by Outscape, the organisation behind MountainBikeNI, in collaboration with Cycling Ulster / Ireland, The Outdoor Partnership, and local land managers. The scheme is also supported by the UK Trails Project (UK Trails Project).
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A New Way for Riders to Give Back
Mountain bikers are being called upon to volunteer and play an active role in maintaining their local trail centres. This initiative aims to foster better relationships between land managers and riders while enhancing the quality of Northern Ireland’s official trail centres.
Would a similar volunteer-driven trail maintenance model benefit trails in England or Wales?
How to Get Involved
If you ride and care about the trails, this is your chance to contribute! The volunteer application process is simple—just fill out this quick form: Volunteer Application. The deadline is 12pm on Friday 14th March, and you must be over 18to participate.
Trail Centres Involved
This pilot scheme covers several well-known trail centres:
Davagh Forest MTB Trails – Managed by Mid Ulster District Council
Castlewellan & Rostrevor MTB Trails – Maintained by Mourne Heritage Trust
Barnett Demesne MTB Trails – Managed by Belfast City Council
Garvagh Forest MTB Trails – Managed by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Gosford Forest MTB Trails – Managed by Armagh, Banbridge, and Craigavon Borough Council
Gortin Glens MTB Trails – Managed by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
What’s Involved?
The scheme will introduce a robust and structured approach to trail maintenance, backed by accredited training under the Association of Trail Builders qualifications scheme. Volunteers, lead volunteers, and land managers will undergo tailored training, including:
Trail Inspector Training – For land managers
Maintenance Coordinator Training – For both land managers and lead volunteers
Maintenance Skills Training – For land managers, lead volunteers, and general volunteers
The best part? Training costs (excluding travel), PPE, lunch, and equipment are covered for volunteers. In return, volunteers are asked to commit to five days per year (one training day plus four maintenance days). Maintenance Coordinators will need to attend an extra training day alongside land managers.
Additionally, Cycling Ulster / Ireland membership will be provided for non-members taking part in the scheme.
Voices Behind the Initiative
Philip Weston, Head of Place Shaping at Outscape, highlights the significance of the scheme:
“This pilot is a crucial step in establishing stronger relationships between land managers and mountain bikers while building the skills necessary for effective trail maintenance. We’re grateful for the support from all our partners and excited about the future of mountain biking in Northern Ireland.”
Gary McKeegan, Cycling Ulster / Ireland, emphasised the impact on off-road cycling:
“This scheme is a fantastic way to create new connections between off-road riders, land managers, and governing bodies. We’re excited to support this project and strengthen our relationship with the mountain biking community.”
Gary Donaldson, The Outdoor Partnership, underscored the role of volunteers:
“Trail maintenance and volunteering are essential for a thriving MTB community. It’s fantastic to see governing bodies recognising and backing these efforts. As a rider myself, I see this as a great step forward.”
Next Steps
Once you apply, your expression of interest will be reviewed by your chosen trail centre manager. You’ll be notified before Friday 21st March if selected for this year’s training. While places are limited for this pilot phase, the hope is that more opportunities will follow if the scheme proves successful.
Would this structured, community-led approach to trail maintenance be beneficial in England or Wales? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Apply Now: Volunteer Application
More Info on UK Trails Project: UK Trails Project
For privacy details, refer to Outscape’s Privacy Policy. You can withdraw your application anytime by emailing info@out-scape.com.
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