(February 17, 2026) — When Shimano launched its Trail Born initiative in 2024, the company pledged to put real money behind the dirt—the actual trails riders depend on. Two years later, that commitment is widening its footprint.
In 2026, Shimano will fund 19 new trail projects, marking the program’s first expansion into South America and a deeper push into Asia, while continuing investments across North America and Europe. The move builds on a 10-year, $10 million commitment aimed at strengthening trail infrastructure, supporting advocacy groups, and backing the local communities that design, build, and maintain riding networks.
Since its launch, Trail Born has supported 18 projects worldwide, helping fund nearly 48.5 miles (78 kilometers) of trail and contributing to the construction of a 15,000-square-foot pump track. Additional projects slated to open in spring 2026 will add to that mileage.
This year’s expansion reflects growing demand. Trail organizations from around the world submitted 45 proposals for 2026 consideration; Shimano selected 19. The new slate includes projects in Brazil and Mexico—Trail Born’s first entries into South America—as well as Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe, new developments will take shape in France, Norway, Italy, and Scotland, while U.K. initiatives continue. In the United States, the program will back projects in California, Oregon, and Vermont.
Rather than simply sponsoring events or athletes, Trail Born directs funding toward long-term infrastructure—trail corridors, pump tracks, and community-driven networks designed to serve riders well beyond a single season. The strategy underscores a broader industry shift: brands increasingly recognize that participation depends not only on equipment innovation, but on accessible, sustainable places to ride.
As trail systems worldwide face mounting pressure from growth, land-use debates, and maintenance costs, programs like Trail Born position major manufacturers as active stakeholders in the future of off-road riding.
