LANDOWNER FUND

The Vermont Mountain Bikes Advocates (VMBA) has established a statewide fund to support landowners who have generously opened their land for the purpose of supporting mountain biking and the resulting trail network. The purpose of the fund is to provide landowners with protection from legal costs associated with defending a claim brought by a mountain biker. This fund is unique and the first of its kind in the United States.

However, Vermont has developed laws with the intent of protecting the generosity of landowners. Vermont State Law VSA Title 12, Section 5793.(a) states, "An owner shall not be liable for property damage or personal injury sustained by a person who, without consideration, enters or goes upon the owner's land for a recreational use unless the damage or injury is the result of the willful or wanton misconduct of the owner." In addition, a landowner has no duty to inspect the land to be sure that it is a safe for a specific recreational use or to discover any dangerous conditions.