We promote legal and responsible motorcycle use in the Peak District, whilst supporting our contribution to the rural economy.
The mental health and fitness benefits of trail riding are exceptional ! It takes a high level of concentration and physical ability to ride such machines. We just need somewhere to do it ! Currently, we only have around 2% of the unsurfaced rights of way in Derbyshire.
Tourism And Provision. People just want to earn a living!
We believe that the basic rules of tourism and gainful business include providing goods, services or (in the case of a tourist area) usable facilities that a wide spectrum of tourists would desire to use. We believe this is necessary in order to attract tourists to a particular area to support businesses and jobs in local rural communities.
Many Derbyshire and Peak District businesses enjoy the benefit of tourism from motorcyclists. Hotels, guest houses and B&Bs are among the ones who particularly look forward to motorcycle trail riding groups visiting the area. Many trail riders stay a few days and spend lots of money in cafes and restaurants.
Sadly, we are aware that some other groups of countryside users appear discontent. This being despite having around 98% of the countryside rights of way already vehicle free. Dependant on their actual pursuit, they seem to want the entire limited access vehicles have, in addition to a network of thousands of miles of footpaths, bridleways or restricted byways, they may already enjoy.
Paying Tourists
Trail riders come to the Peak District as paying tourists. They require, hotels, guest houses, restaurants and filling stations. We are aware that trail riding is a main source of income for some Welsh villages. There are many worldwide businesses particularly in the EU that provide professional guiding and hire bikes and equipment. Countries such as Spain or Portugal welcome trail riding tourism which benefit local communities through this kind of tourism.. Click our sponsor REDTREAD SPAIN to find out more.
Signs like this are costing jobs and £ millions in lost tourism each year.
Illegal Riding : We hate it, but we’re not surprised by it.
One thing all legitimate groups of countryside users appear to agree on is the unacceptable illegal use of motorcycles on non-motorised routes such as bridleways and footpaths. The APTR only promotes responsible, legitimate and legal motorcycle trail riding. We do however fail to understand how closures of historic legal vehicle rights of way can possibly reduce illegal riding? A question that has yet to be answered.
