Forestry England are currently undertaking a review into Motorsport in Forestry venues. I would encourage all enduro and trials riders to have their say in the public consultation currently ongoing. Responses must be sent via email to enquiries@ruralsolutions.co.uk by 30th September.
Please either use the text below provided, or similar with your own comments. Please feel free to include anything you love about our sport taking place in the public forest estate, day trips with family to enjoy ACU organised motorsport in England’s wonderful forest, the chance to enjoy nature and motorsport as a spectator or competitor, whatever you feel matters to you.
It is vitally important we present the very best of our well-managed ACU Forestry events to the consultation to safeguard these fantastic venues for the future.
Thank you.
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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,