Pinkbike Poll: Would You Pay to Play?

Nov 28, 2014
by Mike Levy  
I'm going to ask you to jumpstart your imagination and take yourself to a time and a world where mountain biking is a little more complicated than it might currently be for you, and where your beloved sport can't be enjoyed by simply rolling off to your local trailhead like it ain't no big thing. No, this is a sad state of affairs where you have to actually pay money in order to have any sort of trail access whatsoever, be it your local jumps, cross-country singletracks, or your favourite downhill courses. Nothing about those zones change - the jumps that you session all the time are the same, and the trails remain unchanged and looked after in the same manner that they currently are - but you now have to pay up with cash or by sliding your card every time you want to enjoy them. Hopefully we're all thinking about the far-off future rather than anything that's on the horizon, because that's a picture that makes most of our current situations look pretty damn good, doesn't it?

scanning passes

What if this was the scene at every trailhead? Photo Brad Walton


There are plenty of privately owned riding locations around the world that already that do exactly this, usually known as bike parks, but would you ride as often as you do now if you had to pay for every ride that you head out on? Let's say that each ride costs you $10 USD, or you could purchase a 'season pass' for, say, $800, all of which was put back into the trails. That sounds like a lot of money, but you'd beat the break-even point after eighty rides, after which you'd be rolling for free. If that was the case, how often would you ride? Would it be any less than you already do? Let me put it this way: if mountain biking was more like lift accessed skiing and snowboarding, which is how the large majority of people enjoy those two sports, would it affect how much you take part?

Like a lot of you, mountain biking long ago left the hobby stage and attained lifestyle status for me, and, without trying to sound like too much of a crazy preacher guy holding a big book and spraying spittle on everyone in the first row, there's not much that could keep me from getting on the trails. Not much, that is, except having to pay every time I wanted to enjoy my sport. It's got nothing to do with money, though... Now, given that we require the right equipment and often have to perform a bunch of maintenance, it's true that mountain biking isn't free per say, but there's something about being able to head out on a ride, for whatever reason you have for doing it, that's just so damn right about our sport. I don't know if it would have the same appeal to me if I had to pay money each and every time I wanted to do that. What about you?




Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

241 Comments
  • 165 6
 No mountainbiking is already expensive enough with overpriced bikes, maintanence, overpriced gear, and traveling expesnses. I'll only pay to ride a bikepark to ride trails I couln't ride anywhere else.
  • 18 6
 yea but , mabye you could go for free an dbuild something sick yourself .... and it would help everyone
  • 160 2
 Not to mention that paying for access to wilderness will ensure that nature will be made the exclusive province of the wealthy. I don't care if it's hiking, biking, or equestrian I think all people should have the ability to access nature. If we started charging per use (funding nature areas with user fees instead of general taxes) it will make it so lower income individuals will no longer be able to access the outdoors on a regular basis.

Depending on your income $10 per trip (per person?) can either be inconsequential, or a deciding factor. While I could certainly afford it, and would like to have fewer people on the trails, charging per use has societal implications I'm not comfortable with.
  • 14 0
 having to pay overtime I rode is exactly why I dont ride my dirt bike as often as my bicycle.
  • 28 1
 I am willing to pay for lift access but how would provide it for free. but for a regular trailride i would not want to pay. That would ruin toe soule of the sport.
  • 20 2
 I pay $22 a year for a fishing license and spent thousands on fishing gear, so if its like 30 a year I wouldn't be that bummed, but if its more than that, then that is just more of someone cashing in on mtbs typical affluent customer.
  • 7 0
 10 dollars is rediculous , i couldnt afford that at all man , but we should be able to do like a toonie or some shit ,then i think that would help alot and lots of people could afford and understand that
  • 3 1
 @TheMastodon @Luneec Yea i agree! the only thing i would pay for is the lift acess but to ride a normal trail that would just be stupid because it would change everything it would ruin the soule of Downhill/Freeride it would no longer be fun to ride cuz you have to pay to do your sport and Downhill/Freeride is already expensive enough like TheMastodon said.!
if you had to pay every time you ride it would ruine the reputation of the sport!
  • 9 26
flag wuzupjosh (Nov 28, 2014 at 12:47) (Below Threshold)
 you guys are so cheap , id deffinately pay to have mroe of a comuntiy and building together ...
  • 11 0
 If you want a community you dont need to pay. money makes things only commercial. just meet up with some riding buddies and start digging, ask at your local bike park or trail center if they need some help building new trails. Have a nice BBQ at the end of the day.
  • 4 7
 if it is optional to pay everytime you going for a ride no problem but if you must to pay thats just fking stupid! like i said before it would just the ruine the reputation of the sport!
  • 30 3
 You should probably put your money towards a dictionary instead...
  • 2 21
flag BullseyeXer (Nov 28, 2014 at 12:58) (Below Threshold)
 @Acorn22 sounds like a*shole22... you saying that to me?
go do something else!
  • 2 1
 I pay every time I go to the bike park so...
  • 12 0
 I don't think you should have to pay but you should go out and help maintain the trails
  • 1 1
 @MendelMu same here but they mean that you have to pay every time you going for a ride you get it?
i pay everytime i go to a bike park too but thats just for the lift acess.
@corywilliam yea i agree.
  • 4 0
 Haha no bullseyeXer I was saying that to wuzupjosh but you posted your comment before me so it was further up in the chain than mine! No hate intended for you!
  • 2 0
 @Acorn22 Hahaha i see xD
  • 1 1
 The global population is growing exponentially and there is a relative shortage of land. It will happen one day, even on public land - the council/government will still need to justify its use.
  • 2 0
 Yeah, I'm not paying for jumps that I build with my friends.
  • 5 2
 It's better and cheaper than the drugs I did when I was younger. Charge me, as far as I'm concerned I already owe MTB a lot.
  • 1 2
 In Wisconsin you can get a 'trail pass' for $20 (out of state) for all year riding. I have no problem with it because the trails and facilities are very good. Illinois does not do this and the quality of trail/facility reflects it. The way to provide fairness to the underpriveleged is allow them to get a write-off come tax time.
  • 4 0
 If you split my bike and my bike equipment costs on all my rides I do with them, you'll see that I pay huge amount of money for every ride I do take. Extra charge? You can't charge people for going into the nature. Nature is not a product to sell. I do pay taxes to my country and other people pay taxes to their countries. We must receive something in return for the taxes we pay. I don't pay money to cross the street and I won't pay money for walking/riding in woods.
  • 3 0
 I would gladly pay. I'm addicted as hell. I'm not saying it's right, just that I would pay.
  • 2 0
 ya that is to much
  • 4 0
 I kinda agree but not. Yes mountain biking is to expensive. but if that money went to making better trails i think it would be good. But I think it should be an option to either pay or volunteer a certain amount of hours of trail work to work it off. but 10 bucks or 800 hundred a year would be WAY TO MUCH! I could see 100 at most per YEAR or 10 hours of work would be fair though.
  • 8 0
 Sadly, this is the world I already live in. Our local trails charge a $6 daily use fee ($65 annual pass). That's not a ton of money, but none of it goes back into trail maintenance. I'm part of a local group that puts on several mtb events each year to raise money to maintain our trails, then we provide all of the labor for free. In essence, we are paying to ride on the trails that we maintain at our own expense with our own volunteer labor and must provide insurance for said trails to the tune of about $2k annually. Man, that sounds even more f*cked up when I see it typed out.
  • 2 1
 I'm not sure the opinion of a person who rides in Wisconsin is really relevant to mountain biking
  • 1 0
 Shots fired!
  • 2 0
 As someone with family who lives a good distance from my local trails in find it hard to dedicate time to trail building. My conscious makes me pay into the local trail building fund each year. It's not much, but at least I can say I'm not one of those that only reaps the fruits of someone else's labour without contributing myself. I wish more people would do that as my local trails, for the use they get, would probably be covered in gold :-)

www.chasetrails.co.uk
  • 3 0
 when I was in Wales my local trails were owned by the forestry commission, we asked them a few times if we could go and do some maintenance on the trails because some of them were getting seriously rutted, and every single time they said no because we would have to be accompanied by a representative to make sure we didn't put a massive jump in a green trail or something. I would much rather be able to help maintain the trails than have to pay to ride them.
  • 1 0
 At those prices you might as well blow someone every time you go for a ride.
  • 1 0
 I would consider paying if I lived somewhere that had the terrain. I certainly wouldn't contribute much money to my local trail network because it's mostly flat and that doesn't suit my riding. Therefor I don't ride as much as I would like to..... If I lived somewhere like Squamish where there is a huge amazing trail network, I would consider the costs
  • 39 0
 The only time I wowoulpay a large amount of money would be for a lift pass in bikeparks , not my local trail
  • 42 8
 With all due respect that Poll is just down straight riduncoulous. If Police and wardens in every single country manage (and have the will) to catch 1 per 10000 bikers riding on bike-banned trails or illegal ones then no one is ever going to earn any money buy establishing pay stations, and even if there were a few, people would simply build another trail.

You may as well create a poll if you would like zero gravity spots on trails if technology was there (yes, no, I ride DH for gravity), or would you risk riding a sick trail even if hypotheticaly space monkeys were killing people on it.
  • 38 0
 I actually have been hypothetically killed by space monkeys riding sick trails. It's no laughing matter when it happens to you.
  • 9 0
 Ha, ha. Those space monkeys ruin it for everyone!
  • 1 3
 This is why we love you Waki
  • 2 0
 Don't we already pay a considerate amount every time we ride DH? Gas money, lift ticket, post-ride food and beverages?

Apparently that biking thing is pretty fun as lots of people pay up to 40-50 euros to ride for a day..
  • 3 0
 If it meant that I wouldn't have to deal with Hikers, Trail runners and horseback riders I would have no problem paying to ride.
  • 1 0
 Yea bonkywonky, but this article was written as if you were to pay for entering a local trail, that you probably reach from home by the power of your legs
  • 1 0
 dude, when'd you move?
  • 24 0
 Scary poll. Who's idea was this? does mike levy have some kind of evil master plan? Is it hypothetical or is it market research??? ARGH!
  • 7 0
 im with you wtf is he up to ?
  • 7 0
 Yep, I'm thinking straight up, don't even think, either answer no or don't answer if you know what's good for you! If someone even gets a sniff that anyone will pay the game is up.
  • 3 0
 @motdrawde I'm with you man
  • 5 0
 This for real in california. Dirt turn outs that are used for parking are being paved and charged. As if we needed a flushing toilet and a ranger to enforce parking at the trailhead. My car still gets broken into and the trails are never maintained by the state park crew... unless they find a jump to knock down.
  • 2 0
 lol cali man...
  • 2 0
 @bmar, you're totally right. Here the same happens for beach access. Once a beach is popular enough to attract a considerable amount of tourists, local governments will put a tax on it by making people pay for parking, it's really for access though, as parking was already there and they don't offer any extra service back.
This kind of thing is one of the greatest degenerations of our society, a tax for nature access which is not even progressive, so it will weight nothing on the wealthy and be an entry barrier for the poor.
  • 25 3
 Aslong as the money payed was going back into the maintainence and progression of the trail head
  • 7 0
 Better, help out by yourself in maintaining. Thats how you don't have to pay and give back...
  • 14 0
 I would be pissed if I just wanted to go ride some single track and had to pay, I can under stand having to pay to ride the bike park because they cost a lot to build, maintain, and run, but for some local single track that would be total BS to have to pay to ride.
  • 2 2
 Local singletrack doesn't build and maintain itself. So you want someone else to pay for that?
  • 4 0
 there are plenty of people including myself who are willing to volunteer, in fact my local singletrack is maintained by volunteers. The costs of maintaining singletrack is far cheaper compared to a bike park
  • 13 0
 In this hypothetical situation, I think that rogue riding would start popping up. Just as there's sanctioned trails, and rogue trails currently, there would be people out there who would refuse to pay, and simply ride. I would likely be one of those people.
  • 11 2
 I jetski a shit ton in the summer, and no matter where you go their is a vehicle fee, a boat launch fee & a trailer parking fee all of which adds up to about $20 per visit...and im happy to pay it because I know maintaining bathrooms, dams & parking lots isn't free....So if my trails were legal, and fairly maintained (even with volunteer hours) id have no issues paying to be able to ride fun legal trails... think about it nothing in life is really free..
  • 9 0
 I started biking when i was a kid because it was one of the only cheap things i could do with my time. Sure, the bike investment was a bit expensive initially, but from there you have a sport that has an exploration aspect to it, while not costing anything to take a part in. Paying to ride outside of lift accessed trails makes no sense.
  • 6 1
 sorry, didn't mean to reply
  • 6 0
 I have no issue paying to ride on private land ie byke parks/ skate parks/ bmx parks just to name a few. There is no way I would pay another tax to ride a byke. This idea should really piss off roadies who pay any taxes that fix the roads. They would be double charged. Same goes for if you ride any state or federal owned land! There is a reason why Colonist left, tired of getting over taxed. Many young people these days don't mind being taxed. Most don't see many things as a tax, look at Obama care. It's not called a tax but you're fined if you don't pay in. Off my soap box. Don't tread on me
  • 5 0
 I believe that if EVERY rider put a little time into trail building/maintenance we would get way more accomplished then paying people to do it. I know I might have not spent the time I should be but I do way more than everyone who rips past me like there in a race.
Spend your money on tools and go BUILD.
  • 3 1
 Absolutely agree. This very well could be the worst pinkbike post of all time. It's gotta have something to do with Trailforks, cashing in on other people's hard work.
  • 5 0
 I'd pay to ride a bikepark (none round here anyway) that has cost an awful lot of money to build already, to help keep it well maintained ... apart from that you can shove it !! I'm already paying over the top for everything I buy in 'Rip-off Britain' !!!
We get hammered with tax the moment we get paid, we get hammered with tax the moment we spend, hammered with tax if we're fortunate enough to actually have any money left at the end of the month to save....
  • 3 0
 Well I'd happily welcome you up to the north! 25% VAT, 33% income tax and around 45% employment tax on top of gross salary, 30% capital gains tax etc. Not to mention how "free" all public service is. We even have to pay the public service fee for the national tv station SVT1 and 2 even if the househould dont have a tv but have a computer or iPad etc. And I am fairly sure we have the highest % of politicians per capita, crumbling healt care system and school test scores are falling through the floor.

We pay but we dont get play.

There is a really famous tax case involving Astrid Lindgren (the Lady who wrote a lot of famous kids novels) were she paid over 100% in marginal tax rate on one of her projects. And sometimes for the hell of it the big man throws in a tax on tax deal! So if you think you have it bad you can rejoice in the fact that there is some who get the stick even further up in rear.


The only really good for mtbing in Sweden is our "allemans rätt" which gives bikers and hikers the freedom to walk and bike where ever they want out in the nature under the restriction that you dont do any substantial damage. But these days most trails get over grown and your playground shrinks every year.
  • 6 0
 Yeah, but you've got Swedish girls while fedz is stuck looking at Mrs. Doubtfire.
  • 1 0
 That really made me laugh - obvs "all Swedish girls are blonde stunning etc" is a total stereotype, but poor fedz!
  • 1 1
 damn johan90, that is a sh*tload of taxes. why don't you Swedes just go full retard and turn communist? (j/k obviously)
  • 1 0
 Well communist would imply "sharing" which is not in the interest of neither politicians or big business these days! The front party politicians has roughly 5-6 times (approx 21k USD per month) the average swedish wage, which is a fair bit higher than the median which would be a more fitting measure. A normal parliament politician has roughly 2 times the average not including any special benefit they get.

There was one article about a politician a few years ago that went into early retirement payed for by taxes. At around 35. Seriously? Just recently one politician claimed that he should get more decution/subsidized becuase he put his job on the line every fourth year when we have election which he deemed unfair compared to regular Joes. Again seriously? Even with our relative extensive workers protection, a worker that has been permanently highered can be laid off in six months. A lot of people can be laid off in a week or so. And during those four years he is guranteed his 2x wage.

And mean while politicians claim that politicians need to have high wages and benefits to attract competence. A competent worker can always find work but politicians that are in the parliament have around two years of payed wage after they leave. So what are they competent go getters or hobos that cant get off their ass? A normal worker has again six months pay but at roughly 80% of normal wage.


But yeah pretty girls all around for miles! Just need to export a few with me when I move!

Also did I mention the weather sucks too. They were showeling snow of the chairs on june 22 and again on sep 23. So yeah it kind of sucks for dh too.

Payed over 4300 USD for my 2012 V10c. So yes everyone can be calm when they feel ripped off, someone else is getting more ripped off!
  • 2 0
 ha ha... mrs doubtfire indeed, thank god Scotland doesn't have a strict border control ! A gentle flow of females from around the world is always welcome ... ahem ;O) ....
  • 1 0
 border control? What is that arent everyone welcome everywhere? Oh that's right its just we who have that "issue". Pretty scary that popular opinion is that we should harbour everyone that needs it, when our state debt is already at the level were every person of working age has to work for free one full year to pay off the full debt excl interest. But everyone still seem to think 5m people can carry the entire third world.


Bah its well past time to move to somewhere were the trails actually has dirt year round and the weather isnt grey 90% of the year!
  • 1 0
 Alright, just learned a few things about Sweden. Thanks johan90
  • 6 1
 I know of a no more suitable way to describe my view, other then to say. FUCK OFF MTV IS FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS and not the greedy corporate money grabbing bestards. Look what happened with football !!! Who's with me
  • 5 0
 Wait a minute... Isn't MTV for musicians?
  • 3 0
 I thought it was for troubled teens reality shows
  • 4 0
 I think this is a dangerous poll, though its cool to see the majority so far are against pay to play. If marketing gets ahold of this kind of info, it's all over. Especially if everyone agreed that paying was not a big deal.

Secretly, even though the majority says "no", when push comes to shove, I bet they would. We already pay for overpriced bikes, overpriced equipment and apparel (its only a matter of time before summer passes and lift tickets cost as much as winter). When it comes down to it, yes, they will all pay to play. Even if the number of people that comprise "all" is far fewer than it is now...
  • 3 0
 I donate time and money to trails. Feels like a viable plan until some litigious son of a bitch sues and ruins it for everyone.

I used to work in a ski shop and I heard once that half of the price of a lift ticket was liability insurance. Anyone confirm?
  • 2 0
 Can't confirm 50%, but a healthy portion does go to insurance. A lawyer buddy once told me the liability disclaimer wasn't worth the ink or paper to print. The great thing (so far) about Canada is a lot of trails are on Crown land so access cannot be limited or denied unless safety is a concern. I would go rogue if there ever was a price put on using land that belongs to everyone.
  • 3 0
 The future is now:

China Camp state park in Marin County ALREADY charges a $3 day use fee.

What you get for your money is smoothed out single track that is really just narrow fire road.

I used to ride there regularly, but now it is at the bottom of my list.
  • 1 0
 What about Camp Tamarancho/Boyscout? When I lived in the Bay Area that was about $25 a year. I was happy to pay.
  • 1 0
 Tamarancho is different because it is private land. China Camp was a state park.
  • 1 0
 Oh yeah. Rockville Regional Park charged one or two dollars per rider too, but that was worth it. I loved that place. And there was no speed limit.
  • 2 0
 NO!!! I pay for ski-hills for the 2-3 times a year I might get there, and that's usually more like $45/day, which I'm fine with. But to pay to ride just normal trails...I think not!! Luckily I live in Alberta where, if you're willing to drive, there is access to vast amounts of trail systems on crown land.
  • 2 0
 No. I love snowboarding and thats what I grew up doing. I hardly do anymore because of the cost and that is the only reason. my board was not even half the cost of my bike, but I got into mountain biking and built my bike because of the freedom factor. I pay money to parks, state land, ect. already. I'll dig, deal with not perfect trails, maintain my bike and pay for lift service parks. I don't make tons of money and scrape just to have the bike I do, but the freedom of being able to take it out whenever I want for a ride after work without having to make it a financial decision is what makes it worth it. Without that aspect I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have ever heard of or gotten on pinkbike. I get it, nothings free but where does it end? Most of the problem with american society in my opinion is everything is money oriented and feeling, fun, true happiness, adventure and creativity are materialized. can I just ride my f*cking bike if I want to please?
  • 3 1
 If I were to pay I'd want to see a solid business plan prior to putting my money down.

I'd want to see:
A ) lift/shuttle access for DH runs
B ) guaranteed XC/AM trail access for a large amount of the year (obviously there would be down time for maintenance).
C ) plans to introduce more trails.

I already spend about $10-20 in fuel on a shuttle day with my friends as it is (any DH trails are at least an hour from my house.) so if someone were able to provide me with a cheaper alternative I'd be happy.
  • 2 0
 It would suck to have to pay.

if you ride any public lands, we already pay city/county/state taxes to access these lands. Most [not all] of the trail heads around here, you have to pay 25bucks a year to park your car.

Hunters/fishers have all kinds of, fees/regulations/seasons of access.. But they also require a whole infrastructure to mange fish/game, so it is a little different.. But all their fees support their own system.
  • 3 1
 Who builds your trails?
  • 2 0
 I'd pay to ride if the trails were maintained and I wasn't expected to dig for my ride. I've been doing it in skateparks for years and every time I've ridden MX I've had to put petrol in the bike and pay to ride the track. Every time I've been out on my road motorbike I've had to pay for fuel, tax and insurance just to use it (it is a hobby, not a transport necessity for me). I don't see much difference in paying to ride trails be it bike parks, dirt jumps or XC trails and would gladly do so if it meant the trails were well maintained, free from litter and safe. I'd go as far as to say that I would almost prefer it in a way. You'd always know when the trails were open instead of hoping that the guy with the key for the big lines was showing up, you could plan your riding day better and you'd always know the trails were in good condition.

I wouldn't pay if I was also expected to dig though. One or the other. I'm happy to dig for my ride and have volunteered many hours to dig before now but if I'm paying then I'm paying to ride, not to dig. There are unfortunately some spots near me that are pay to ride but also have a no dig no ride policy as well (not a voluntary dig day every now and then thing either).

I'm not sure if that's what this article was getting at but even if cycling was taxed in a similar way that motor vehicles are taxed then I'd still ride just as often as I do now. With reference to the last sentence of the article I'd even go as far as to argue that if you consider MTB part of your lifestyle but would stop riding if you had to pay to ride trails then it's not really part of your lifestyle at all.
  • 2 0
 sometimes i feel like i do pay, in one way or another, every time i want to ride. from park fees and donation stations to time spent maintaining trails, it never really seems free. not talking about bike maintenance and gear.
  • 2 0
 I've practically quit snowboarding because of pass costs. The fact that you only have to pay for equipment is one of the biggest + of mtb for me. That and the fact that I never have to put the bike on my car to access trails.
  • 1 0
 Splitboarding. All I pay is gas to get to the backcountry and sweat to get to the top of the mtn. Best snowboarding you will ever do. I'm looking outside at a foot of fresh snow right now. But it's minus 28 out there as well, so..... I'm on Pinkbike.
  • 1 0
 I doubt the mountain here is suited to splitboarding, but if it was maybe I'd consider it. I like to earn my turns and I hate waiting in line for the lift. But most of all, I've been put off by the shitty ratio of pass cost vs what you get for it. But between surfing, windsurfing and mtb I don't miss snowboarding all that much. I do miss powder though, powder is sweet!
  • 1 0
 fair call. I have been bored to death and fed up as fuck paying for a family pass to the local resorts. the final cash out after tickets, lessons, babysitting, lunch, gas etc is reeeediculous. never mind the powder is always better backcountry anyways. emjoy the other sports.
  • 5 0
 I live in ca., one of the highest taxed states in the union. Were paying to play, no doubt.
  • 1 0
 I agree. SD, Ca.
  • 3 0
 l am an IMBA member and l donate to my local club, whatcom mtn. bike coalition. thats how l pay for my rides! thanks to everyone who supports trail access and builds and maintains trails…we appreciate it!!!
  • 2 0
 I am fortunate to have my local trails in a State Park here in Washington and happily pay the $30 annual access fee knowing that it helps to keep the park open for everyone. Even though I do hundreds of hours of volunteer maintenance each year paying a small annual access fee still seems perfectly suitable for having access to miles and miles of single track.
  • 5 0
 No more "r" in freeride, that's BS.
  • 2 0
 yeh i guess free-ride is dead
  • 3 2
 You all act like it would be outrageous to charge people to enjoy your sport on public land. They have been doing this to motorcycles and ATVs for years. They'll probably start selling tags for your bike and check then at the trail head. It sucks, but that's where it's headed.
  • 3 0
 F that, I'll rather save up the money and BUY ALL THE LAND. Then I'll charge others twice as much just because such event will turn me into one mad pi**ed off fella, whom even Dr. Evil would have feared!
  • 2 0
 I already drive 5 hours and pay $15/day to ride non-lift service at Kingdom Trails. I would happily buy a season pass to have that quality of trails in my backyard (although hopefully closer to $200-300 per season, not $800 Levy, ya baller!)
  • 1 0
 If the money went to the proper use and was run by actual riders of all levels. Then I wouldn't mind paying $30 a year for a trail license similar to hunting or fishing license. That would not mean that I'm ever going to stop riding "illegal trails" or doing my own digging.
  • 1 0
 I said yea I'd pay but depends on your disposable income as well. At minimum wage it's a big bill for a season pass or just per ride. Someone with an established career who gets a coffee and does nothing but drink it and makes more than that before the coffee is finished will have a drastically different opinion on whether it's affordable and reasonable
  • 1 0
 Multiply that number by the number of kids. There is one place in Maine with pay per use riding. I am always told it is fantastic, bit with three kids along it becomes expensive quick. They would much prefer fewer trips to lift access bike parks. Maine is doing a great job with land conservation. Many communies have developed outstanding multiuse trail networks. If you have not ridden Maine for a while it's time to come back, well better make that next summer.
  • 1 0
 I pay Downieville Outfitters $15-20 to take me to the top of mtn everytime. I pay for parking at Auburn Ravine to ride there. If you really love the ride pay the toll and do it out of appreciation for the people who maintain the trail or the forest. It takes money or someone's time to keep a trail going. Ain't no rest for the wicked and nothing in this life is free...
  • 1 0
 I think it depends. Trail rides I would really pay nothing, unless they were insane, hand made and maintained, trails, then maybe a few dollars for a day. But I dont mind paying for bike park tickets. If it's lift access, well maintained, intermittently watered, etc.., then Ill pay then the 30-40 to haul me up the mountain all day. Or buy the pass which is about 8 tickets usually. but if it was like a "permit" to ride the current local trails. not a chance.
  • 1 0
 What I don't unederstand in any of these arguments is why we dispute the illegality of riding trails at all. The majority of trails near me are walked on by dogs and covered in their terds! but more importantly if mtbers are using them moderately responsibly it is better than alternatively leaving it to youngsters to sit on their asses littering and making fires in the forests that we covet. Why bother banning the group who are fighting passionately for an outlet and positive input. My only apology is that skidding is fun as ish
  • 1 0
 Paying to ride a bike park is one thing. Paying for local trails built and maintained by local clubs or hard working trail builders and riders should not be charged. We build and ride on crown land. Land that is designated for outdoor recreation. If this is the case then all outdoor enthusiasts would have to be charged whether riding bikes, hiking, or walking the dog. How can you encourage people to get off their lazy asses and excersize if you are are going to bleed them dry for it. This is just another reason that our society is overweight and out of shape. How bout you charge the fat, lazy people sitting on their couch instead!
  • 1 0
 This is murdering the sport. If you do this to all good/decent trails, then how are we going to get kids to enjoy riding in the. They will ask there parents, and only the ones that are really motivated will get a job, and only ones on the trail will be the rich kids. biking will soon become like snowboarding and snow skiing. Only places to ride you have to play a crazy amount of money to play.
I'm against doing it for all good/decent trails. having a couple in every state is cool
  • 1 0
 I am between two of the answers, I would pay sometimes but most of the time nope. Choice is right as it is, pay for the park and get shuttled and awesome groomed trails. Great for spending the whole day. I will do this a few times a year. Free trails, spend an hour or two every 3 or 4 days. That's me the rest of the time.
  • 4 0
 bike park yes, no to local trails. i left golf because of this,a fee every time you want to swing a club!!
  • 2 0
 And MTB is so much funnier than golf !
  • 2 0
 ture that!!
  • 4 0
 Hey Pinkbike, what is the deal with these polls. What is done with the data and who gets to see it other than respondents?
  • 3 0
 The sole purpose of polls like these are to get people going and generate views.
  • 1 0
 Anyone that responds? Which could be, like, anyone?
  • 4 0
 I pay over 7000 dollars a year in taxes alone on my land that I'm building trails on. Does that count?
  • 5 0
 Damn I'll be really poor..
  • 1 0
 Hard for me to see this scenario in my head without becoming violently enraged at the idea of somebody charging me to be in an environment I've lived and enjoyed my whole life so far - on and off the bike. Thank f*ck I can't see how it would ever work and certainly here in the peaks we have the exact opposite and it's set to stay that way for a long time to come.
I would and have paid to ride at BPW for example but even if that was on my doorstep; you can't beat just getting on the bike and riding off somewhere under your own steam on natural terrain. I don't think I would become a park rat....maybe I'm too old already!
  • 2 1
 F that.
I already pay upwards of $18,000 per year to play in the dirt at my farm. And I still don't have enough time to get everything done that I want.

Charge to ride trails? 2 things will happen:
Empty forests & packed roads.
  • 1 0
 In the longview wa area it's getting to the point where you have to pay weyerhaeuser 150 just for a pass to be on there land unfortunaly they own everything in our surrounding area so we have to pay to ride and it is not going into the trails. I love riding so il pay it not happy about it but that's the reality of the world today
  • 2 1
 Most are avoiding or not paying attention to the real narrative within. The author states "way off future" as if "at all". However, this is a plausable notion that could be put into play within the Socialist state of California. Not just for biking but for access to nature at all, be it hiker, runner, camper, runner etc. Big Govt is doing a land grab of moumental perportions and restricting access to tax paid land that we otherwise once had access to. Look to San Diego County for a model of trail closures, DOI/Fish and Wildlife fencing and restrictions fo former trails and open space areas. As the state continues to fauler on its budgetary committments, Sacremental Govt. will look at more sources to generate funds to serve the interests of the few at the costs of the majority.

Rant yes, however this artical sparks a nerve that I can realistically foresee in this State.
  • 1 0
 I agree that California has problems, but I actually can't think of anything less socialist than having to pay to use parks. I don't think any of us would like it if public lands had to charge everyone who uses them to pay their operating costs.
  • 2 1
 A pay for use system is capitalist not socialist.
  • 1 0
 I'd be willing to pay, but my 40+ days a year of trail building would stop unless I started getting paid. which even at 10 bucks an hour would easily cover my $800 a year magical fee. As is riding trails doesn't cost me much per hour. I've tracked it, and it works out pretty cheap. The spending just always comes in lump sums.
  • 1 0
 This is very relative. For Canadians or the lucky in the US that have acces to free and well built trail systems will make no sense paying extra. For some of us that have only three - 1 minute runs makes sense. I'd pay maybe not 800, but something around 500-600 would be reasonable for me.
  • 2 1
 Paying for a trail pass when the funds go to the maintenance and development of the area is a good direction. What that fee should be? I'm not sure. $800/year per area would get a little crazy. I always buy the map of local areas and buy any trail pass's they offer when i visit somewhere new. Pemberton, North Shore, Whistler, Squamish ,Mt Gailbraith etc.... but they are like $10-$20 and i will ride there several times throughout the year.
  • 1 0
 I see no harm is charging maybe a couple bucks at the most (which will add up VERY quick), but 10 is too much. I mean if you look at tourism in places like Germany, pretty much every little attraction (besides in remote places in the alps, which are few and far between) like even a simple hike to a waterfall can cost a couple euros. However, I could only see it being beneficial if it directly affects either the trail itself or helping its surrounding environment/biodiversity.

If you go the "season pass" type route, it's really no different than say a hunting license. It would just simply be a biking license rather than a "pass" so much.

Really the biggest question is regulation and management once you get that far.
  • 2 0
 I pay taxes, city, state, federal, gas tax, this and that tax...tax....tax.TAX.....use one or more of those and get out of my way if you think you're gonna collect one more dime from me.
  • 1 0
 In some cases we already are paying for basic trail access in CA. State forests require an Adventure Pass. It's like $35 a year or something like that. It's a nominal amount and I'm totally willing to pay that. In other cases we might have to pay $3 to park. Even if there is other free parking, I'll just pay anyway to ensure the park is taken care of. Small price to pay, but cool with "having to" pay for access to public lands.
  • 1 0
 no:
I put in a couple hundred hours of trail maintenance a season. As I understand; it BLM gives a dollar amount per hour for my time. lets just say it is $6 an hour (hypothetically) x 200+ hours = $1200 I contribute every season. This next year BLM was able to secure a Trail Crew to build a majority of a new trail we have planned. It's the sweat equity the trail maintainers put in that make them useful for all.
Im pretty sure the Department of Interior/BLM get their funding for energy/mineral/grazing rights that they charge money for; that in turn we pay for in daily life thru the meat we cook with energy in metal pans...... and such
  • 1 0
 I have no problems paying for parks that choose to charge for entry as building trails does incur costs which need to be covered by someone. But the danger in making it compulsory is the goodwill in the MTB community goes out the window. This makes fundraising difficult and it also makes people less inclined to participate in working bees.
  • 1 0
 The whole point of mountainbiking is that you're free, out in the open country side and at one with nature, no noisy motor or pollution, its a purest' sport through and through. I don't mind paying to use a top notch riding centre occasionally but if you rely on that... you don't get mountainbiking! Not even pro's use bike parks all the time, they have their own spots locally.
  • 1 0
 One of the best XC loops I have ridden, Vultures Knob, is a private trail that costs $5 to ride. All of the money goes straight to trail maintenance, and they do a damn fine job. But I could not deal with paying $5 for every trail. That would be blasphemy, and I would have to poach.
  • 1 0
 I have no issue paying for uplifts or to use the trails but the problem where I live is there are none. If they are dedicated mountain bike trails that are build by mountain bike trail builders and maintained I would defo pay to ride. I often book a Friday off work to travel all the way over to Antur Stiniog to pay and ride the runs there. Its a brilliant place to ride and for me well worth the money.
  • 1 0
 Here in the States, riding on public property means citizens are all communal land owners. I don't foresee this happening, the argument of paid bike parks turning into paid public land use... is invalid. That being said, we can always resort to civil disobedience, protest, pirate trails, unpaid riding... but paying $10 to ride the local trail head... will never happen. Write the ticket...
  • 1 0
 It's bad enough this is a very expensive sport to get into as far as a decent bike, decent gear, etc before you break parts whether due to a learning curve crash, or wear and tear. To charge people to ride only ensures lower income people have less of a chance to enjoy the woods, trails,and healthy activity. Pricing out the poor is wrong.
  • 1 0
 If paying gave us more of voice as to making crazy black diamond trails that the non biking community would have nothing to say then F'in bring it on. No pay no say. No more bitchy hikers and environmentalists. Building a pipeline in pristine land is ok because someone pays the government for it but you wanna build a bike trial? Go Fuk yourself! BooShit Mr Han Man!!
  • 1 0
 This is just another hidden tax and another way for the Government to control us. We already pay to have trails managed and maintained through the local parks service. We pay for this with our tax money that's taken out of each paycheck. I understand ski resorts charging because there privately owned and for profit. With that being said I can ride all day with lift access for $50/day and the trails are amazing! $10 to ride local garbage single track is excessive!!
  • 1 0
 I really don't think this is a realistic vision for the future. There's still enough land that people will simply build underground again. It would be very detrimental to the progress our sport has made legitimizing itself.

Locally we have many clubs who ask for voluntary memberships to fund trail building. One local group produces more new trail and does more maintenance than can possibly be funded by their club collections. I'm happy to give them $40/yr since we are getting multiple km's of new or rerouted technical single track each year. In fact I donate more than the minimum because my work/life schedule doesn't allow me to make much time to volunteer on build days.

Conversely, another local club tried the strong-arm approach of requiring riders to pay-to-play on crown land (under the guise of insurance reasons) and there was a huge backlash online, rider traffic decreased and at the end of the day they aren't bringing in enough money to execute their trail plans.

Universal pay-to-play would destroy our sport. Ridership decreases, fewer new riders and over time you'd see amalgamation of land management groups which could ultimately lead to fewer, homogenous trails only accessible through ever-increasing fees.

Here's a better idea: have every bicycle and component manufacturer donate 1% of gross revenues to trail building clubs to cover operating costs and insurance. We'd see more trails popping up around the world than we could ride in a lifetime.
  • 1 0
 Yes I would pay for access to local XC trails, this is already happening here in Quebec. Many trail systems ask for a minimum "donation" for the cause and due to that the trails are always maintained for security and longevity. The trails that are free are ( more often than not ), badly maintained, have obstacles that exceed the abilities of beginner riders without posted warnings and ( I don't mean " or " ), are so badly built that erosion has the better of them before the seasons end. Paying to ride on dirt is a bonus because "rideable" dirt does come at a premium. Pony up and pay up for local, or buy a car ( and all of the fees that come with it ) and pay for your seasons pass at the bike park. If you can afford a bike you should be able to afford to ride.
  • 1 0
 if that paying means that bike service of any type will be free afterwards .... well then bring it on But since I dont think it will be like that I would never think of paying every time I go ride
  • 1 1
 I'm hooked now and would happily pay $10/ride for access to decent trails. I wouldn't say that's at all unreasonable to pay for a day's access to a fun trail system. Gas, bike rentals, lift tickets, just buying a bike in the first place-I think we've all paid a lot more than that for a ride. Anyone who drives an hour to get to their 'local' riding spot is already paying about that much every time they go ride.
Would I ride less? Yeah, probably. Casual hour-long weekday rides would mostly end for me. I would also have probably never started riding in the first place.
  • 1 0
 Lots of gray area here. Wilderness single track, no I wouldn't pay. However if it's a bike specific venue where you know your money will come back to better the place, then yes!
  • 1 0
 I sometimes go on short 30 min rides at my local trails, if I had to pay for riding every time I would only go on longer rides. Or switch to road, but we all know that isn't as much fun
  • 1 0
 This is a f*cking stupid poll and compares mtb to 2 sports that rely upon lift assistance. Of course we would pay to get a lift but clearly not at our local riding spot that we dig at and ride/push to the top
  • 1 0
 At a state park near me, there is a 5 dollar fee each time you ride, but there is no lifts or anything (yay Florida). It's okay with everyone because the trails are immaculate and 5 bucks is really all it takes.
  • 4 0
 Sure turn my trails into CGP and ill pay every ride.
  • 2 0
 das true
  • 1 0
 I'll pay if the trails ate worth paying for, Or I'll pick up a shovel an build But My local trails are shit boring an building is not allowed so. I'll be fkd if I'm paying extortionate forestry comish car park charges
  • 2 0
 @nojzilla... you're right, have I ever paid the 'Pay and display' at the Forestry Commission car parks? ... have I f*ck !!!
  • 7 3
 pay to bike? Thanks Obama.
  • 4 1
 If you like your bike trails you can keep your bike trails, period.
  • 2 0
 I was just joking but on a serious note if the power company that basically owns your entire state buys the land of a 20yr old trail no petition can save it. Period.
  • 1 0
 I'd maybe, maybe pay for local trails....IF...they were mountain bike only. No hikers, dogs...etc... Bike parks make sense to pay....but I'd like it if it were free if you could climb up rather than chair lift up.
  • 1 0
 I would pay to ride a bike park and be glad to, but I would want to pay $800 for QUALITY riding, well maintained, fun trails, lots of trails and transportation back to the top of the mountain.
  • 1 0
 I would, if the trails were world class. I'd pay out of my ass to have the North Shore and Whistler Valley trail network next to my house. But no, I would not pay for the shitty trails in my neighborhood.
  • 3 0
 I build and share my own trails, I don t need to pay to have fun and shred some gnar with my friends !
  • 1 0
 The nearest trails are 40 km down a highway so I already have to pay every time I want to ride - and it's much more than $10, it's something between $25 and $30. Ireland sucks...
  • 1 0
 paying to ride is only acceptable when you're using a shuttle service, or in a park type setting where services and trail network maintenance are provided, i.e bike parks. Otherwise it needs to stay open to all and free.
  • 2 0
 Really??? This is the best we can come up for a poll?? Did we run out of other topics? If zombies were chasing you would you rather ride a fat bike or 29er?
  • 2 0
 I voted "no". I already pay for the parks via property taxes, income taxes, bond measures, etc. I wanna start getting something for my money before committing more.
  • 2 0
 Hey Obama, where s my free trails?
  • 1 0
 Barry doesn't pay for the regional parks around here.
  • 1 1
 For bike parks, obviously we would have to pay for chairlift access and such. For ridding out in the woods, hell no! Maybe a yearly parking pass, like we already have in Oregon, but that's it. As for trail maintenance, well most trails I ride aren't maintained. If you ride it enough times, it will become a trail. If something is blocking your way, just move it to the side. That's what I've always done. That's freeriding to me. Riding ungroomed trails.
  • 1 0
 LOL thats why we pay taxes.....shouldn't be paying taxes on taxes on taxes on taxes. If its private land sure, its up to the owner to charge if they want too... Kinda like bike parks....
  • 1 0
 I ride to be and feel free. There's just no way they getting my money. I'll just ride somewhere where the trails are free, free as the people that are riding them and the nature living in it
  • 1 0
 I pay $95 Canadian to enter and ride both five or six parks with mountain biking(3 of them), horse trails as well and beaches. some even include propane BBQ's and boat launches. We got it GOOD in Hamilton Ontario Canada.
  • 2 0
 In South Africa, if you want to do any kind of decent riding, you pretty much have to pay wherever you go..
  • 1 0
 Sadly indeed.

Riding the roads here is also not a great option because most people drive their cars like retards Frown

I think in the 2 weeks I have been here I have had at least as many sketchy situations with cars as I have in a 6 month period in Amsterdam. They are often too busy texting or doing any other thing you can think of instead of actually keeping their eyes on the road.
  • 3 0
 I'm with you on this, retards are the WORST drivers.
  • 1 0
 Lol etc
  • 2 0
 If the local trails were built as well as most bike parks I'd be willing to spend the money. Sadly that's not the case.
  • 1 0
 Since where I ride I'm the only one building, I surely would not pay to ride, but if one wants to give me some cash, I sure could handle that!!
  • 1 0
 For me, this is the reality. I live on a small island sans trails and whenever I go biking I have to pay the ferry costs. So, I guess I am ok with it.
  • 1 0
 I pay $350 every year for a seasons pass to Highland and I'll do it for another 5 years no questions asked. Worth every penny!
  • 1 0
 You could never tell it's a quiet time of year for real news , like racing and events , other wise PB would be making pointless polls just to fill the front page.
  • 2 0
 I would if all the building resulted in Whistler in England. Its £25 a day uplift in the UK anyway
  • 2 1
 Sounds just about the same as a season pass to a lift access bike park! Good trails are not cheep. Cheep trails are not good. Just how I see it.
  • 1 2
 I think $30 or so per year wouldn't be bad (fishing licence was a great example).

Im also all for road bikes paying registration to ride on the roads once per year like I have to do on all my cars. There should be a licence plate system so cops can actually enforce bad road behavior and broken rules. Having bikes fly past a school bus with flashing lights ar 40mph deserves a ticket. Cops won't ticket them currently.
  • 1 2
 You have to pay to play. that my motto. If you are shuttling you pay for gas. If you are climbing the climbing is work the DH is the reward. The more effort you put into the sport the greater the reward. Do I pay to ride in Bike parks? Nope I like riding on hand built trails not machine built roads pretending to be trails.
  • 1 0
 I already pay every time I go riding. The wear on tires, brake pads, rotors, ect., plus the depreciation on the bike itself probably comes out to $10 per ride- or more.
  • 2 0
 I already pay everytime i ride. Brake Pads, Tyres and Drivetrains aren't free
  • 3 0
 I thought only RC did these irrelevant troll polls?
  • 1 0
 if it has a lift or a shuttle car I will pay, but if someone's charging for you 10 dollars to ride there endure trail why don't just save up and go to whistler
  • 1 0
 Not even going to entertain this train of though unless it's a bike park or someone's private property they are letting me use, and I'd probably pay them in beer anyways.
  • 1 0
 Nature resources are already being used and consumed by man for profit. Charging for mtbing will be a start for charging for every other outdoor activity.
  • 2 0
 If riding for free is outlawed, only outlaws will ride free. (Or would that be "free-ride"?)
  • 2 0
 I say you all spend $10 on a spade, and collectively we dig a world full of free trails.
  • 2 0
 I d never pay for my trail riding, apart from paying in sweat while digging new ones.
  • 1 0
 If I had to pay, I'd just ride MX. Only reason I've got into MTB is because you have to pay £30 entry to ride 3 or 4 20mins sessions.
  • 2 0
 i would pay to ride the Full Monte Dirt Farm everyday!
  • 1 0
 A better question would be: "Would you quit riding if you had to pay to do it?"

I definitely wouldn't.
  • 1 0
 Why would I pay money to ride my bike, I spent enough money on my bike and parts as it is...
  • 2 0
 If you don't dig you should pay
  • 2 0
 ....with beer.
  • 1 0
 Well here in Wales there's hardly any free car parks anywhere.. So, in the National Parks at least you pay to ride anyhow!
  • 2 2
 $10 per ride or $800 per year would be such a small sliver of my total mountain bike expenses that I would pay it without blinking. I go through $800 a year in tires.
  • 1 0
 Lets talk about something more probable like "Would you still ride if the Gov't made you put a video camera on your bike?
"
  • 1 0
 Yeah.. straight into a tree.
  • 1 0
 One day we will be either paying for literally everything or.. paying for nothing. You work that out lol.
  • 1 0
 I don't the system on other country.
But, here in Indonesia almost (90%) track is free.
  • 1 0
 I suppose the question is if all trail users would have to pay, or just mountain bikers...
  • 1 0
 Yes I paid a ride.. by puting in many many hours a trail building and it's worth every minute!
  • 1 0
 Hell yes. I would pay for higher quality trails in a heartbeat, especially if it meant fewer other trail users.
  • 1 0
 I even resent the question "would you pay to play?" That's how much I'm against paying for trail access.
  • 1 0
 Bike bandit strikes again. Rides off after cleaning out register
  • 1 0
 Just spend some time maintaining the trails u ride...
  • 1 0
 Kingdom and Millstone in VT are both pay per use trails.
  • 1 0
 MTB industry are you trying to make us quit mountain biking?
  • 2 1
 This would make it a lot harder for people to actually get into biking...
  • 4 0
 It may keep dog walkers n hikers off my black diamond lines. PRICELESS
  • 2 0
 Do the hikers and joggers and horses get to pay as well? Didn't think so. I think 20-30 bucks a year to a trail society is enough, and if everyone throws in...should work out
  • 2 1
 Pay to ride? Time for poachin'
  • 3 1
 NO
  • 1 0
 Lift access and purpose built trails: Yes

Other trails: No
  • 1 0
 mountain biking has become so over commercialized, it's sickening
  • 1 0
 Hell No I wouldn't pay unless its utterly epic bike trail.
  • 1 0
 Can you say "FreeRide" F@#$ me
  • 1 0
 If you ride on public land, you already pay. It's called taxes.
  • 2 0
 So what happens when the gov sell your tax funded public land to private hands? You pay twice.. that's what happens.
  • 1 0
 Would I have to pay more for Enduro trails?
  • 1 0
 as if overpriced bikes isnt enough?
  • 1 0
 If I wake up in this world, I become a roadie or commit suicide.
  • 1 0
 yup usual levy waste of time ... he should be paying US to read this crap
  • 1 0
 Oh that's rat shit man.
  • 1 0
 I thought 8x10$=80$?
  • 1 0
 3 words: no f*cking way
  • 1 1
 MTB*
  • 1 3
 if everyone pitched in to th etrails , and we used all the moeny we pay to new , better obstacles then lets do it
  • 8 0
 are you drunk?
  • 1 5
flag wuzupjosh (Nov 28, 2014 at 12:36) (Below Threshold)
 nah man , you need to give a little , get alot in the long run , think bout if everyone with secret trails shared with each other , wed have a hell of alot more trails everywhere .
  • 1 0
 yeah man, and what makes secret trails awesome is that they do are secret and thus are not trashed by, wankers, motorcycles, pedestrians, and such...
Oh yeah and then they surely don't need that much maintenance to stay in good shape and they won't be destroyed by forest office because of trail abuse.
you get the point?
  • 2 2
 Why bother with 'ifs?'
  • 2 0
 Why not? It's interesting. I'd guessed that 90% of the answers had been "yes" (to paying if you had to), but obviously I was wrong. Now I know better.
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