The Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) has filed for a judicial review against Devon County Council in a case that could have far-reaching implications for the motorcycle trade and rural access rights across the UK.
At the centre of the dispute is Rydon Lane in East Devon, a 1.5-mile route between the villages of Exton and Woodbury, near Exeter, that was reclassified as a “Green Lane” in 2024, effectively closing it to all motorised vehicles. Walkers, cyclists, and horse riders retain full access, but motorcyclists are banned outright under a council-imposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).
The TRF has a long track record of defending trail riders’ access rights and argues that the ban is unjustified. The group says there is “no credible evidence” that motorcycles pose a safety or environmental risk on the route, and that the council acted disproportionately on flawed evidence. Devon County Council maintains that the TRO was necessary due to concerns about speeding and damage to a recently resurfaced lane.
The TRF claims to have spent over £2m in the past decade challenging similar restrictions in court, and the stakes here are higher than one Devon lane – a successful ruling could set a legal precedent that limits local authorities’ ability to impose blanket bans on motorcycles across rural byways in England and Wales.
For the trade, the implications are significant. Route closures don’t just affect riders, they directly impact dealers, trail-riding tour operators, and any business whose customers depend on having legal, accessible places to ride. Every lane that closes is a reason for a rider to hang up their helmet, says the TRF, and that has a commercial knock-on effect the industry can’t afford to ignore.
The TRF has been clear that this is not about unchecked access. Members operate under a strict code of conduct, sticking to legal byways, following marked routes, and minimising disruption to local residents and wildlife. The organisation says the judicial review is about “protecting a shared heritage of rural access”, not about pushing boundaries.
The High Court will now determine whether the case merits a full hearing. If it proceeds and the TRF prevails, it could prove to be the most consequential ruling for trail riding in a generation and a significant moment for the industry.