Campaign supports riders who take action to protect the future of legal on and off-road motorcycling
With the support of the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC), the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) and Auto Cycle Union (ACU) alongside the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) and other motorcycle sector partners have joined forces to launch Ride Right (www.rideright.org.uk). This is a national campaign to protect the future of legal on and off-road motorcycling in the UK.
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 the ACU as the national Governing Body, plus clubs and other event organisers. For the vast majority, this is a responsible, joyful, and lawful pursuit, with quality of life, health and wellbeing benefits — as legitimate as mountain biking or horse riding.
But a visible minority of riders are putting these much-loved forms of active outdoor recreation under threat by riding illegally — on footpaths, bridleways, private and common land, and open moorland where no motor vehicle rights exist. This can be either via motorcycles or illegally used high powered eBikes. Their actions cause damage to 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.
A single incident of illegal riding can violate multiple laws simultaneously — and the consequences stack. Fines, licence endorsements, seizure, even imprisonment. The risks are real, and they're not worth it.
Increasing frustration within the rider community at the behaviour of this minority has driven action to create Ride Right campaign. This is a shared, national effort, coordinated by the sport's Governing Body and the TRF as the leading authority on green road riding, to educate riders, promote responsible behaviour. The campaign also makes 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:
Ride Right
Use only legal public roads, follow signage, and know your responsibilities before you ride.
Right Place
Access 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 future riders.
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 the 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 on 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.
Therefore, the campaign is designed to support the existing efforts of the riding community, because the most powerful influence on behaviour is the culture of the community itself. Changes in legislation and greater action by the Police with the support of the MCIA and NMC are supporting this drive for change.
It can be seen that when experienced and respected riders make clear that illegal riding is unacceptable — not just risky, but wrong — it changes what riders consider normal. The further development of 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 and supporting existing rider efforts.
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 supporting the people who love it most to protect it.
TRF CEO Graeme Collins Commented: “Although some of this minority of individuals may also behave anti-socially in other areas of their lives, many others will be genuinely misinformed and inadvertently ride where they shouldn’t. The TRF’s Green Road Map https://www.trf.org.uk/conservation/green-road-map/ overcomes this issue and shows people where they can ride on unsealed public highways.
“TRF membership is great value for money and unlocks access to a community of riders with knowledge of the best places to ride and explore the countryside in a responsible way.”
Graeme added “Feedback from our members reveals they are as frustrated and angry about anti-social behaviour as general members of the public in local communities”
Matthew Edwards-Wear CEO of the ACU explained: “There are countless fantastic clubs which can be found at https://acu.sport80.com/public/widget/1 . They run 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, Chief Executive of the 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.”
Craig Carey-Clinch, the NMC’s Executive Director said: “This new
campaign aims to ramp up pressure to stamp out anti-social and illegal
motorcycling and the illegal use of high powered e-bikes. It sits
alongside the
industry’s work
with the police in this area, with both initiatives forming part of a
new framework to tackle motorcycle crime, which will be launched in the
coming weeks.”