Shimano is committing a whopping USD 10 million to trail building projects over the next 10 years through its Trail Born Fund. Why? Well, the reason is simple:
“Unlike road riding, where the required terrain exists by default, mountain biking requires collective collaboration to create and maintain unique and desirable places to ride.”
The Japanese component brand isn’t just spending money, though. Trail Born will be more than a chequebook. The program will also “help promote chosen projects, telling the stories of the people and places behind these critical efforts.” The fund will also help support individual trail project in further fundraising efforts from other sources. That’s crucial as Shimano estimates that each mile of trail costs between USD 10,000 and 45,000 to bild and maintain.
Cool stuff! Here’s more from Shimano:
Shimano Trail Born Fund full announcement
SHIMANO is proud to announce its new Trail Born Fund, aimed at helping increase and sustain mountain bike trails and trail access around the world. Delivering an unprecedented level of industry support, Shimano will donate $10 million USD, over the next 10 years, to support and facilitate trail projects and trail advocacy organizations.
Working closely with these trusted partners, Shimano will ensure truly meaningful and sustainable gains are made — both on a local and global scale — and is excited to support the hard work of dedicated and passionate trail builders.
Building and maintaining great trails is expensive. Really expensive. Cost typically ranges from $10,000 to $45,000 per mile, which includes everything from permitting and impact studies to tools, materials, and labor. But Shimano believes the return on investment is priceless. Supporting trail building and trail advocacy helps protect and expand trail access. And that means more places for all of us to ride—and more opportunities for new riders, like kids, to discover this amazing sport.
TRAIL BORN in Action
The Trail Born Fund will first focus on select areas in North America, Europe and Oceania and will further expand across these regions through 2025. By 2026, Trail Born aims to effect change across the mountain bike riding world, with the addition of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. In all cases, support will be earmarked for legal and sustainable trails, and funds will be allocated only…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Canadian Cycling Magazine…