Mountain biking has become a significant part of outdoor recreation in Australia, offering riders the opportunity to connect with nature, challenge their skills, enjoy world-class trails, and have fun with their mates. However, behind every tricky climb, thrilling descent or scenic outlook is a bunch of management activities and costs that all add up.
We live in an economic and social climate at present where funding for natural areas is not meeting the demands for recreational activities being placed on them. Many of our most prominent trail networks operate on tight budgets, relying heavily on volunteers or irregular grant funding to keep the wheels turning.
In response to this situation, several mountain bike parks and trail networks including Maydena, Tasmsnia (pictured), are embracing a pay-to-ride model, where riders contribute to…
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Australian Mountain Bike (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 212 - Autumn 2025