eMTB Policy Review
May 26, 2021
We believe community members, trail users, and most importantly our landowners should be engaged in this decision. The KT Team began with a preliminary discussion with our Board of Directors regarding a proper decision making process. This process was then presented to the Landowner Advisory Committee. Their response was positive, and they were pleased that KT Landowners will be involved and the policy shaped by their feedback. Kingdom Trails has invited all of the KT Landowners to a forum in early June.
As cycling technology and trail utilization trends evolve, we believe it is imperative that KT periodically review and consider policy changes. eMTBs are a prime example. Currently Kingdom Trails’ eMTB policy is stated as “KT does not allow e-bikes on our trail network” as we honor the no motorized vehicle agreement we have made with our Landowners. Please know this continues to be our policy throughout this process.
We understand there are a number of pros and cons that need to be weighed. On the one hand, allowing eMTBs could broaden access for those with physical limitations due to age, illness and disability, supporting our commitment to equity and inclusion. Increased patronage could also directly benefit our community and the region. On the other hand, concerns could arise regarding faster speeds, user conflicts, injuries and liability, land impacts, and overcrowding. We will need to educate ourselves on the different classes of eMTBs, review the decisions and policies of other trail networks, consult organizations such as IMBA, NEMBA, and VMBA, and explore both federal and state policies, along with the detail of our own conservation easements with the Vermont Land Trust and Vermont Housing Conservation Board. However, above all, gauging our landowners' comfortability with eMTBs on their land will be a priority.
We encourage all to share their thoughts and opinions by emailing eMTB@kingdomtrails.org. Your feedback is welcomed and we thank you in advance for participating in this deliberative process with civility, and we especially encourage experience based input. Again, we ask that you email with your feedback, therefore we are turning off our social media comments on this topic as the goal is to receive constructive input directly from our stakeholders for thoughtful consideration and we do not wish to host a platform for negative interactions between people. We anticipate this review and policy update will conclude within the middle of this summer season.
Please remember, regardless of whether or not Kingdom Trails amends our policy, we understand education will be a key component to maintaining respect for our private landowners and encouraging all to Ride with Gratitude.
Dear KT Community, I write to you today as I begin a transition in my relationship with Kingdom Trails. I have made the difficult decision to take the next step in my professional journey and step away from my role as Executive Director. Serving Kingdom Trails and this incredible community over the past eight years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am deeply proud of the work I’ve led and supported, from navigating immense global challenges and natural disasters, to forging incredible relationships, with our landowners and community. And throughout this journey, the Northeast Kingdom has become not just where I live, but truly my home. It’s the place I chose to become a mother and where my family has put down roots. That said, I am ready to explore new ways to serve this community, ways that will allow me to continue growing as a leader. I’ve accepted the role of Interim Executive Director for the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative, where I will carry forward the work I fell in love with through Kingdom Trails: strengthening our communities and supporting thoughtful economic development. In this new role, I’ll have the opportunity to advocate not only for outdoor recreation, which is so essential to the heart of our region, but also for the many sectors that make the Northeast Kingdom such a unique and vibrant place. Please know I remain deeply committed to Kingdom Trails. This is my home, and it will remain my home. I wish to always be an ambassador for KT, including playing a role in ensuring a graceful, responsible transition with care. The Board of Directors and I have committed to this, to ensure continuity, stability, and the trust you hold in this organization. I am grateful beyond words for the opportunity to have served my community through this role, and I look forward to closing this chapter with the same heart and good intention with which I began it. Georgia Gould is stepping in as interim Executive Director to lead the organization through this transition. Georgia has served on the KT Board of Directors since 2021, leading both the Landowner and Trail Advisory Committees. She is a KT Landowner with an impressive mountain biking and cyclocross resume - including a bronze medal in one of her two Olympic bids on Team USA and five career national championships in cross-country and short track mountain biking. Georgia, her husband Dusty, and their two young children are engaged members of the Burke community and the KT team. Her deep ties to the sport of cycling, dedication to providing great trails for all skill levels, and her love of this community make her the perfect choice to lead KT in its next phase. The Board and I are thrilled that Georgia has agreed to lead KT and feel confident that she will hold the mission of the organization at the center as she has throughout her Board service. You can reach Georgia directly and welcome her to this new role at ED@kingdomtrails.org . With deep gratitude, Abby ### Kingdom Trail Association The mission of the Kingdom Trail Association is to provide recreation and education opportunities by managing, maintaining, and building trails to foster the health of our community, surrounding environment, and regional economy. Kingdom Trails strives to accomplish this mission by offering a 100+ mile network of quality, non-motorized, multi-use trails for all levels of ability, incorporating the best of our local scenery and natural diversity. The Kingdom Trails are made possible through the generosity of 106 private landowners. Northeast Kingdom Collaborativ e The mission of the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative is to improve the quality of life for all residents of the NEK through coordinated economic and community development as the vision is a strong, vibrant Northeast Kingdom where we all thrive. The NEKC brings people together to spark positive change in our communities, creating structures that bring partners together across service areas, sectors, municipal and political boundaries to provide solutions for the renewal of the Kingdom. The NEK Collaborative serves as the backbone organization for the federally designated NEK REAP Zone and community partner for USDA Rural Development.
Cannondale Dirt Party a Success
KT is taking action—on the trails and in the Statehouse!
This 2025 Legislative Session, KT is teaming up with other amazing trail organizations through the Vermont Trails & Greenway Council, to advocate for H.147 a bill to establish the Recreational Trails Compensation Study.
Why does this matter?
Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy generates $2.1B annually, nearly 5% of the state’s GDP, that's 2nd in the nation after Hawaii (Go VT!) KT alone drives $10M in economic impact annually. Therefore, the state must recognize and incentivize these generous private landowners, including the 106 who make KT possible and allow public access to trails.
