Ever thought you might want to get into Enduro or Trials riding in any of the UK’s many off road venues? Maybe you already ride or compete in Trials comps and Enduros or maybe you’ve just enjoyed coming along to enjoy and spectate at any of the awesome two wheeled dirt events of any kind across the UK?
As the amount of places to safely and enjoy off road riding space in the UK gets reduced every year, it’s important that the venues and places that can be enjoyed by anyone into or getting into motorcycles and motorsports be protected so that we can all continue to ride and be involved in the amazing communities and relationships the sports provide.
Forestry England are currently undertaking a big review into Motorsport in Forestry venues. This can mean that they will be looking to potentially shut down venues that accommodate safe and responsible privately run off road moto events. The Auto Cycle Union (the official body for bike sports here in the UK) are calling out to anyone who enjoys enduro and trials events (yep, that’s you if you’ve ever tried it at Camp VC and loved it! ) to have their say in the public consultation currently ongoing.
So how can you help?
Please help by sending an email to enquiries@ruralsolutions.co.uk by 30th September using the template email below that the ACU have handily provided.
Please also feel free to add in anything to do with why you love these off road sports and venues when they take place in the public forest estates, or maybe it’s the community it provides you with and the chance to enjoy the outdoors in your own way through motorsport either as a rider, spectator or competitor, whatever you feel matters to you!
It is so important the ACU and anyone who wishes to safeguard the future of sports like this to support and have their voices heard to safeguard these fantastic venues and the sport in general for the future.
Cheers!
VC x
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To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to respond to the Forestry England review of Motorsport events and express my support for their continuation and expansion. Legitimate motorcycle sport activity such as Trials and Enduro events play a vital role in getting people out enjoying the public forest estate, while encouraging grass-roots and competitive motorcycle sport across the UK. Many thousands of people every year visit the nations forests to take part and spectate in motorcycle sport events, from the beautiful setting of West Harting Down in the South, to Thetford Forest in the East, and Boltby Forest in the North. Events range from club-level trials, to national championship competitions, allowing people of all ages and abilities to take part.
The current system whereby motorcycle sport events are run in line with the Auto-Cycle Union (ACU)/ Forestry Commission Master Agreement allows responsible clubs to organise up to two motorsport events, per year, per venue. This gives an important balance for local communities and other forest users, to ensure the public forest estate is enjoyed by all. Safe and legitimate sporting events also help reduce illegal riding, and the ACU together with local clubs and organisers regularly work with local forestry officers to help combat illegal riding and work to secure the future of motorcycle sport.
Motorsport events on Forestry England venues are popular with the public too. At trials and enduro events, we see local people turn out to enjoy both the natural forest estate, and motorcycle sport. For many people, this will be their first visit to the public forest estate, or often their once-a-year visit to a local woodland, with family and friends. ACU organisers also work hard to effectively manage the land and safeguard nature, working around sensitive areas, while creating new wildlife corridors and habitats.
The public forest estate is of vital importance to everyone across the country. We ask that Forestry England continue to allow safe and legitimate trials and enduro events under ACU guidance as part of this review.
Kind Regards,