From local trail networks to global riding destinations, the places we ride shape our experiences on the bike and the communities around them. In 2026, SHIMANO is proud to take its Trail Born initiative further than ever before, expanding into new regions while continuing long-term investment in the trails and people that make mountain biking possible.

Building on the momentum since its launch in 2024, SHIMANO Trail Born will support 21 new trail projects in 2026, including the program’s first-ever investments in South America and new regions across Asia. These projects join a growing global network of Trail Born-funded initiatives focused on sustainable trail development, community access, and responsible growth of the sport we love.

Trail Born is SHIMANO’s 10-year, $10 million commitment to mountain bike trails worldwide. The program funds trail construction, expansion, and maintenance while supporting the advocacy groups and local organizations that steward these riding spaces long after the ribbon cutting.

More than just building trails, Trail Born is about strengthening communities and helping create places where riders of all levels can gather, progress, and connect through shared outdoor experiences.

Since breaking ground in August 2024, SHIMANO Trail Born has already made a measurable global impact:

• 18 trail projects supported worldwide
• 78 kilometers (48.5 miles) of trail funded
• 15,000 sq. ft. pump track constructed
• Projects spanning North America, Europe, the UK, South Africa, and Oceania
• Multiple funded projects scheduled to open in Spring 2026, adding even more rideable terrain

And with the 2026 expansion, those numbers are only growing.

Interest in Trail Born continues to increase worldwide. For 2026 alone, SHIMANO received 45 project submissions from trail advocacy groups and communities across the globe. From those submissions, 19 projects were selected, each chosen for its ability to deliver long-term value for riders and local communities.

• South America: Trail Born expands into South America for the first time, with new projects in Brazil and Mexico, opening access to diverse riding environments and growing MTB communities.
• Asia: Continued growth in Asia includes new projects in Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia, supporting both emerging and established riding destinations.
• Europe: New trail projects are planned in France, Norway, and Italy, strengthening access across varied terrain and riding styles.
• United Kingdom: A new project in Scotland joins continued support for existing UK initiatives.
• North America: A balanced geographic approach continues with new projects in California, Oregon, and Vermont.

Each project reflects the unique character of its local riding community, while sharing a common goal of sustainable, inclusive trail development.

Trail Born reflects SHIMANO’s belief that world-class riding experiences are built from the ground up, through collaboration with trail builders, advocacy organizations, land managers, and the riders who call these places home.

By investing in sustainable trail access across diverse regions, Trail Born helps ensure that mountain biking continues to grow responsibly, inclusively, and globally, so future generations can experience the same joy, challenge, and connection that trails bring today.

To learn more about current and upcoming Trail Born projects, or to explore how SHIMANO is investing in the future of mountain biking, visit: bike.shimano.com/trailborn