New Zealand mountain bike trail design guidelines
New Zealand mountain bike trail design guidelines
Mountain biking is a popular activity in Aotearoa – these guidelines help make sure our trails are fun, safe and built to last.
Created by Recreation Aotearoa with help from the Department of Conversation, Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails, ACC and Sport NZ, they include tips for anyone designing or building mountain bike tracks, from councils and landowners to volunteers and trail crews.
The guide explains how to build trails for all kinds of riders and includes advice for adaptive bikes. It covers trail shapes and surfaces to signs, safety and how to look after trails once they’re built.
There’s a focus on making trails welcoming for everyone, protecting nature and keeping riders safe. That means smart design, clear signs and making sure trails don’t get too rough or risky over time.
Whether you’re building a new trail or improving an old one, this guide helps to do it right, so more people can enjoy mountain biking across Aotearoa, now and in the future.
