Over Covid some jumps were built, on unused but private land, which locals kids have enjoyed riding. The landowner has now been informed of them, but said they would consider letting them stay if it becomes official i.e. a club is set, and insured.
I said I'd help (as my son is one of the kids who rides there), and have asked Cycling UK, but still yet to hear back, so just wondered if anyone else had done anything similar recently, and what/how they did it.
Thanks.
Some guys I've been riding with for years did similar. Basically the landowner wanted them to set up a club so that we could arrange liability insurance. That and a token rent every year and it's all good.
Signs up on that part of the land, club members only, and newbies are approached, it's explained to them, and they're told (very nicely) that is totally cool for them to ride there*, but they'll need to pay towards the rent if they want to come again. Has worked really well for about the past 15/20 years.
*Unless they leave litter, modify the trails without asking, or generally act like a dick
My club is Cyclink UK affiliated. Cost about £85 a year. Although it does offer some degree of liability, its only for club officials and designated ride leaders. Ie to protect the club rather than officials. I dont think it would exonerate individuals or the landowner if the worst happens.
Note ours is a trad MTB club with a committee and circa 100 members so a bit different to what you propose.
I think each user would have to take out their own membership to fully cover their own liability.
Thanks. Wow that's been going a while and sounds exactly what we hope to do - so it can be done!
Do you know who or how they set up the club? Cycling UK sounds like it might, but as 40mpg said, I think it sounds like every individual person would need to be a member for it to work.
Local place near me is doing something similar. They contacted one of the jump sites near by for advice (think it was b1kepark that operate rogate and s4p) and got lots of good advise - for insurance they use farmers insurance as they understand the risks involved and aren’t put off so cost is a lot cheaper (something like that).
Check whether planning is required, a few archery clubs have been caught out by dog walkers who have complained to the council and they don't even dig
Thanks, I'll drop B1kepark a message. And ask about planning.
fox hill trails went through exactly this last year, they're on facebook if you want to reach out
Please tell me you're within easy reach of Sheffield. I'd love to get involved with a private spot.
Check whether planning is required, a few archery clubs have been caught out by dog walkers who have complained to the council and they don’t even dig
Just curious - caught out for what? What planning is necessary? (Other than don't pierce any random with an arrow? 😀 )
This was done at an old downhill spot here in Helsinki last year. The initiative was from the city government, they basically informed people that either an organization would have to take responsibility of the area, or the trails would be demolished. A club was put up, ten year lease secured and the spot fenced in and the first officially recognized bit of mountain biking infrastructure in the city was born. Anyone who pays the yearly membership free will get the code for the combination lock at the gate.
The reason was legal liability, as said above. The city delegates legal responsibility to the club, and the clubs' rules state that members are responsible for their own safety and insurance coverage.
https://en.helsingindownhill.com/
If it's jumps I would speak to the guys that run sp4 windhill etc as they will be more advice than British cycling.
B1ke
Other similar sites around.
Just curious – caught out for what? What planning is necessary? (Other than don’t pierce any random with an arrow?
Agriculture land being used for recreation and leisure. Of course walking dogs is different...
Just curious – caught out for what? What planning is necessary? (Other than don’t pierce any random with an arrow?
Agriculture land being used for recreation and leisure. Of course walking dogs is different…
That would be the same for any change in use though? Not specifically archery?
Great to hear of a sympathetic landowner too.
Please tell me you’re within easy reach of Sheffield. I’d love to get involved with a private spot.
Ooohhh errrr !!
That would be the same for any change in use though? Not specifically archery?
Yeah that's my point it's change of use to leisure which some dog walker probably used to complain because it effects there use of the land for leisure even through they have far more area in wich to follow their leisure activity than the archers.
Thanks for the Fox Hills lead.
Sorry, down south. You're welcome to get involved with my private spot anytime you are down though 😉
Yes I was surprised the landowner was up for it. Its an Estate which owns so much land they hadn't even noticed this not hidden away at all, by a road, jump spot which has been there for well over 18 months!