Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful’s annual Spring Clean has kicked off and runs until April 21st. During this month-long initiative, thousands of volunteers come together for fun and sociable litter-picking sessions, all while spending time outdoors and making a real difference to the environment.
We recently caught up with Trash Free Trails to hear about their Pick Dig Ride Day (PDR) with Tay Titans and how other cycling clubs and groups can get involved in their mission to keep trails clean, promote environmental awareness and join in the Spring Clean.
They suggested 3 great ways we can take action:
Organise a Pick Dig Ride Day
‘Tay Titans’ Pick Dig Ride: A Hands-On Way to Get Involved’
Take inspiration from the Tay Titans and combine trail maintenance with skill-building and community engagement. These events allow riders to give back while improving their trails. Whether it’s clearing single-use pollution from the environment, repairing features or improving drainage, a PDR day is a hands on way to maintain your local trails – all while getting some quality riding time. The Tay Titans’ PDR is a perfect model for how cycling clubs and communities can come together to make a real difference in preserving the places we ride.
Become a TFT Community Hub
Join the growing network of stores, cafes, and outdoor centres embedding a trash-free culture into their riding communities. Places like Tarland Trails are a prime example of collaborating with landowners and local riders to create lasting environmental impact. By becoming a TFT Community Hub, your club can be equipped to protect your favourite trails, and encouraging collective action.
Host a Trail Clean Event
Teams like Trash Free Ochils show how effective group-led clean ups can be – bringing riders together to remove heaps of trash from the local trails is no small feat. But doing it together, with the aid of TFT’s seasonal campaigns, the impact is amplified. Whether it’s a quick post-ride pick or a large scale event, hosting a Trail Clean is an easy and effective way to give back to your trails.
Get Involved
Finally look out for Trash Free trails spring clean trail tour that could be coming to a pumptrack near you soon! Each event will see a jam session combined with a trail clean, encouraging the communities around each pump track to be proactive stewards for their trails, removing single-use pollution they find, and encouraging other riders to do the same. Velosolutions will also be scouting young talent and offering free entry and a supported trip to the British Qualifiers of the UCI Pump Track World Championships for one lucky rider. All events are free.