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Trail Born Fund Page
Singletrack mountain bike trail, Shimano Trail Born
Together, we’re going to deliver
sustainable adventure to everyone.

More trails for more people.

The SHIMANO Trail Born Fund is dedicated to supporting global advocacy groups by providing value and committment to our shared vision of developing more places to ride.

Components born from the trails.
Experiences born on the trails.
Trail worker standing with muddy shoes as he works on the trail
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The Commitment
10
YEARS
Divider
$10
MILLION
At Shimano, our committed to component development, evolution, and manufacturing pushed the limits of what mountain bikes can do. With the introduction of Shimano Trail Born we have established our commitment to enhancing the overall mountain biking experience by investing in trail development trail advocacy and community.
Trail worker using his tool to clean up a mountain bike trail
COMMITMENT
Commitment
Trail Born is committed to enhancing the overall mountain biking experience by investing in trail development, trail advocacy and community.
SUPPORT
Support
Trail Born will support trail advocacy groups not only through expanding and sustaining their trail networks but revitalizing their communities.
OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunities
Trail Born will consider many types of trail projects, including but not limited to, new builds & legacy trails, rebuilds & maintenance projects, and facilities including MTB parks, pumptracks and skill centers.
“What Shimano is doing with Trail Born is vitally important—without trails, there really is no scene or community outside of racing. Trails bring us together to share our passion for MTB.”
Andrew Neethling- Athlete Ambassador Trail Born Project: ‘NEEDles for Speed’ Helderberg farm – South Africa
Read History
Trail worker holding a trail tool while working on a Shimano Trail Born community projejct

Frequently Asked Questions

This is all based off project opportunities. We try to balance of mix of new trails and the rebuilding older trails.

We also look at the global mix of projects and try to balance this within the country looking at east / west and north / south to that we have a good coverage of projects withing a country.

Finally, we look at how much funding is required per project to then determine how much and can award in one year.

Depending on the budget ask, this works out to approximately 15-20 projects per year.
Yes, the budget year to year is $1 million in trail funding.
Once we've determined project scope based off initial discussions, we will then provide a submission form. Some countries might not be considered due to lack of Trail Born resources in a region.
A group of Trail Born leads in different regions narrow down their submission lists to work within their allocated budgets. Once a realistic project list is determined a global list of projects is organized and submitted for final approval.
We will start excepting Trail Born submission in October 1st of the current calendar year.
Trail Born submissions close 11 months after opening on Sept 1st.
The way the project is presented is key. For example, is you project a new trail that will serve as a catalyst to grow mtb tourism and get more people on bikes in your city or town.

Is there an older once popular trail that no longer gets ridden and can be rebuilt and gifted back to the community?

Does your project have and interesting story element?
Is your project the first of its kind for your region?

All these example help move your project up the list.

It's also important to note that your project must be shovel ready and complete trail builds vs. maintenance projects.
This is ideal as every year to year Trail Born can show more and more miles and km's of trail being built.
How to Apply
To learn more about Trail Born or request a submission form, please email: trailborn@shimano.com

If requesting a submission form, please send a brief description of your project, including:

-Location
-Length of trail
-Type of build: New trail, Rebuild or Facility (Pump track or Bike Park)
-What makes your trail project unique?
-What is the budget request for you trail project?

*To be considered, Trail Born projects must be 'Shovel Ready'
Apply Here

STORIES

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Shimano Trail Born project in South Africa "Needles for Speed".

Helderberg Farm: A New Trail Born Initiative

Andrew Neethling helps design new trails in Somerset West, South Africa.
Trail worker walking down the trail Shimano Trail Born

Launching Shimano Trail Born

Supporting trail projects and trail advocacy organizations.
Shimano

Building the Future of Mountain Biking

Shimano Trail Born Highlights Worldwide

Shimano's Trail Building Day

Shimano staff went out to help local trail-building communities
Trail Born Logo burned into a log on the side of the trail
Trail workers working on the trail, Shimano Trail Born
Team of trail workers working on a section of trail, Shimano Trail Born

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