Riding Clean. Preserving Our Trails.
How the DSMRA is transitioning from petrol to electric — powered by the ACT Government Communities Climate Action Grants Program.
The Dual Sport Motorcycle Riders Association (DSMRA) ACT Branch has been awarded $20k under the ACT Government Communities Climate Action Grants Program. This funding is driving our transition to electric motorcycles and clean energy trail maintenance equipment — proving that dirt biking and environmental responsibility aren't just compatible, they're a natural fit.
We've been riding since the beginning. Now it's time to ride into the future.
WHAT WE'RE DOING
Our Mission
The DSMRA represents ~800 riders across Australia. Two-stroke petrol bikes are the loudest and most polluting — they're also the ones causing the most social friction with neighbours, landholders, and councils who want to close our riding areas. Our response isn't to complain. It's to act.
We're transitioning to electric dirt bikes (like the Stark Varg) and electric garden equipment (Stihl battery tools). We're doing it for three reasons:
Protect our riding — quieter, cleaner bikes mean neighbours don't call council to shut us down
Save money — electricity is cheaper than petrol, batteries need less maintenance
Future-proof the sport — if we don't evolve, something else will force us to
WHAT THE GRANT IS FUNDING
Electric Trail Maintenance Equipment $15k
We're purchasing a full set of Stihl battery-powered garden and trail maintenance tools:
Chainsaws (multiple sizes for trail work)
Brushcutter
Blowers for trail cleanup
Hedge shears for vegetation management
Branch loppers
Why electric? These tools are lighter, quieter, start instantly, produce zero emissions at the point of use, and cost pennies to run compared to petrol. Our working bees maintain hundredsof kilometres of trails across ACT forest land — going electric on that fleet makes a real difference.
Solar Energy Charging and monitoring system ~$5k
We're installing solar energy meters and power monitoring systems at our trail shed / staging area. This will track:
How much clean energy we're generating
How much we're using to charge bikes and tools
Real-world emissions data from the transition
This isn't just theory. We're measuring it, and we'll share the data with members and the public.
OUR PUBLICITY STRATEGY
We believe in transparency. If you want to see what we're doing, you can. Here's how we're promoting this transition:
For Our Members
Monthly Climate Section — "Going Green" update on equipment purchases, solar progress, member stories
Branch Meeting Demos — bring electric tools to working bees so members can handle them, start them, see them in action
Rider Briefings at Events — info stands comparing petrol vs electric (weight, noise, cost, maintenance)
For the Public
Social Media Campaign — tool features, side-by-side noise comparisons, before/after trail maintenance photos
"The Quiet Trail" Series — film a ride on electric bikes showing how quiet it is. Then film the same trail on petrol. Let people decide.
Kowen Forest Ride 2026 — featuring an Electric Experience Zone where riders can see electric bikes and tools firsthand
Media Outreach — press releases, Dirt Bike Magazine coverage
Key Content We're Producing
"Wait, That's a Chainsaw?" — silence challenge video showing electric vs petrol chainsaws running side-by-side. One of the two is silent. Guess which.
"Cost of Going Electric" — honest breakdown: purchase cost vs fuel cost vs maintenance over several years
"Solar on the Trail" — full documentation series from planning to installation to first charge to monitoring data
"Member Transition Stories" — real riders sharing why they sold their petrol bikes and switched
PROGRESS TRACKER
Grant Amount: $21,332
Status: Active — Project Period: July 2026 – June 2027
What's Completed ✅
Grant application approved (May 2026)
Deed of Grant signed
Budget finalised
Publicity strategy developed
Equipment research completed
In Progress 🔄
Stihl electric equipment procurement
Solar monitoring system procurement
Website climate page — this page (launched July 2026)
Social media campaign - linking to this page
Coming Up 📅
Equipment purchase and delivery (July - August 2026)
Solar installation and commissioning
First "Climate" section on DSMRA website
Electric Experience Zone at Kowen Forest Ride, 20 September 2026
Quarterly progress reports to ACT Government
WHY THIS MATTERS
The DSMRA doesn't just talk about protecting riding areas — we maintain them. Every working bee, every trail we cut and mark, every creek crossing we build — it all costs time, fuel, and effort.
By transitioning to electric:
Our working bees get quieter — neighbours appreciate it, landholders are more willing to host us
Our tools cost less to run — electricity is a fraction of the cost of petrol
Our bikes produce zero local emissions — no fumes in the forest, lighter machines for technical riding
We set an example — other motorcycle clubs across Australia can see this works and replicate it
This grant isn't just about buying tools. It's about proving that motorsport and environmental stewardship aren't opposites. They're partners.
Sustainable Riding Guide
We have put together a pamphlet that advocates the use of electric tools and motorcycles. Click to download PDF
Questionnaire
DSMRA Electric Trails Initiative — Your Feedback.
Fill in our questionnaire to give us feedback on your thoughts
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The DSMRA ACT Branch acknowledges the support of the ACT Government under the Communities Climate Action Grants Program.
DSMRA - Dual Sport Motorcycle Riders Association.
Our organisation represents approximately 800 riders across Australia, with an active ACT chapter that maintains trails and organises rides for members nationwide.
