Thanks to ongoing support from Bosch eBike Systems, Trash Free Trails is conducting further research into trail pollution.
Having partnered to conduct a study on trail litter, Trash Free Trails continues to use its research to drive national and global policy changes. The NGO says they remain connected to their community on the ground by supporting bike events to tackle their own litter and waste problems.
While mountain biking has held a longstanding reputation of recklessness and little care for environmental impact, race events this summer have seen growing efforts to challenge this narrative, with a committed cross-section of the industry actively working in collaboration to rewrite it. Trash Free Trails is at the heart of this endeavour, focusing on environmental responsibility as the heart of mountain biking – TFT
This year, Ard Rock achieved Trash Free Race status. 2026 also marks the 4th consecutive year Ard Rock has worked with Trash Free Trails to reduce litter left behind at its event. Trash Free Trails’ data shows this summer’s event saw an 88% reduction in litter found on course compared to 2024, with 141 items found in the post-event clean-up.
Trash Free Race status was launched to combine positive in-event actions, ensuring litter is removed and recorded, with the goal of preventing it in the first place.
Trash Free Trails says they believe that while their on-site interventions, such as signage powered by behaviour change science, ‘binfrastructure’ at high-traffic locations, and public-facing engagement like ‘Rubbish Raffles’, are making a difference, acknowledging that ‘the sustained reduction in litter on-site is also a credit to the brands present, including Bosch eBike Systems, who champion the initiative and showcase it as a cornerstone of responsible riding culture.’
TFT’s CEO Dom Ferris says:
‘Ard Rock has become a gold-standard example of what mountain biking could be and that’s because the responsibility of leaving this incredible place better than we find it is shared across event organisers, the TFT team, attendees, and inspiring brands in attendance. With just under ⅓ of the rubbish surveyed being event-specific – including cable ties from number boards, a common item found at mountain biking events – we recognise there’s more to do, but are confident that collaboration is key to changing behaviour – and contributing to a new reputation for riders.’
Support for our research from day one has also been vital. Working alongside partners like Bosch eBike Systems at iconic events like Ard Rock helps us model how simple and meaningful removing trash from the places we ride can be to the mountain bike community.’
Thanks to six years of backing from Bosch, Trash Free Trails has evolved from a small community of riders into a ‘global movement at the forefront of trail conservation, inspiring mountain bikers to take action ‘to protect the places they love’.’ As of August 2026, over 7,000 volunteers have removed and surveyed more than 750,000 items of litter on trails worldwide.
