Coillte and Cycling Ireland To Launch Gravel Cycling Pilot and New Club MTB Trails Initiative

Over recent months, Coillte and Cycling Ireland have been working closely together on a number of initiatives and are pleased to update you today on this work to date.

Gravel Cycling Events

Significant progress has been made in enabling Gravel Cycling events on Coillte’s forest road network. Building on our existing collaboration—where Coillte facilitates licensed mountain bike events—Coillte and Cycling Ireland will pilot a series of Gravel Cycling events over the next two years.

The pilot will:

• Test a sustainable model for future Gravel Cycling events
• Offer high-quality gravel riding experiences for Cycling Ireland members
• Be managed in a sustainable manner that considers other recreational users and Coillte objectives, including management of forest operations, biodiversity and reaction infrastructure.
• Support local cycling clubs and Cycling Ireland members across the country.

The safety of all forest users including riders is a key priority for the pilot. Coillte’s forest road network is designed, constructed and used primarily for forest operations which often involves heavy duty vehicles for the haulage of timber, transport of forest machinery, as well as vehicular access by staff and contractors.

All events under the pilot must be sanctioned by Cycling Ireland and organised by approved promoters.

Each event will be licensed by Coillte for a period of five days which will allow for event set up, execution and break-down.

Further information on the Gravel Cycling Pilot will be made available over the coming weeks through the Cycling Ireland website.

Club Mountain Bike MTB Trails Pilot

In addition to the Gravel Cycling Pilot, Coillte and Cycling Ireland have agreed on a new Club Mountain Bike (MTB) Trails Protocol. This initiative will enable a limited number of Cycling Ireland-affiliated clubs to develop and maintain local MTB trail networks on designated Coillte lands.

These trails will be accessible to all Cycling Ireland members and covered under Cycling Ireland’s insurance. Non-members will not be permitted to use these trails and will not be insured.

Initially, a small number of clubs will be selected for the initiative, with a full review by Coillte and Cycling Ireland after the first year. Clubs interested in participating are encouraged to contact Cycling Ireland to express their interest at events@cyclingireland.ie.