Mountain Bike Community launches manifesto in Canberra

The mountain biking (MTB) community is uniting for change with the official release of the MTB Merimbula Manifesto.

Developed from the insights and priorities of more than 130 stakeholders who attended the 2024 MTB Symposium in Merimbula, the Manifesto is a powerful call to action for the future of mountain biking in Australia.

Released in Canberra last Thursday, the Manifesto outlines eight critical focus areas - including trail maintenance, volunteer burnout, infrastructure challenges, and inclusivity gaps - alongside a bold vision for the sector’s sustainable growth. It urges governments, land managers, businesses, clubs, and advocacy bodies to work together to address persistent issues and seize the vast potential of mountain biking as a driver of health, tourism, and economic development.

Introducing the Manifesto, Lori Modde, Chief Executive of Outdoors NSW and ACT, stated "the MTB sector has been operating on goodwill and grit for far too long,

“This Manifesto provides a clear, community-driven list of 143 actions for how we can build a more sustainable, inclusive, and coordinated MTB future. But we need unified action - and we need it now.”

The manifesto will hopefully unite industry leaders, policy influencers, and passionate riders to advocate for a similar outcome and shine a spotlight on the sector’s opportunities. Key recommendations include calls for long-term trail maintenance funding, streamlined land use agreements, better volunteer support systems, and inclusive trail development that reflects Australia’s diversity.

With more than 400,000 Australians now riding off-road bikes monthly and millions of dollars invested in new trail infrastructure, the need for coordinated national leadership has never been more urgent.

Modde added "the message is simple.

“If we want mountain biking to thrive for the next generation, we must stop working in silos and start using our collective voice to advocate for real change.”

Click here to view the MTB Merimbula Manifesto.

Images: Sea Otter Australia mountain biking (top) and the MTB Merimbula Manifesto (below).