A new petition has been launched calling for the bike trails in Puddletown Forest, near Dorchester in Dorset, to be recognised and preserved rather than removed. The petition, started by local riders, asks Dorset County Council and the Puddletown Forest Management Authority to designate a specific area of the forest for mountain biking so the trails can continue to be used by the community.

This follows on from our article from last year, when the BBC reported that unauthorised trails in the forest were being dismantled by Forestry England on safety and environmental grounds. At the time, around 20 established trails were identified on Trailforks, many of which had been ridden for decades. Forestry England said the trails had been built without permission and that some of the larger features posed a risk to other forest users, as well as to the woodland's soil, trees and wildlife.

What the Petition Says

The petition states that the local riding community takes pride in the trails it has built and maintained, and that the project has brought people of all ages together. It argues that being recognised and listened to, with a designated area set aside for the trails, could resolve the situation and prevent similar action being taken in future.

At the time of writing, the petition has gathered over 300 signatures, with a target of 500.

How to Support

• Sign the petition: Help protect and preserve Puddletown bike trails
• Read our original coverage: Puddletown Forest MTB Trails Dismantled
• Find out more about the wider campaign for trail access: UK MTB Trail Alliance

If you're a local rider or part of the Puddletown community, we'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.