What Happens When the space for motocross disappears

Motocross starts are not only exciting, but also a nuisance to environmentalists due to increased noise

Motocross has always been a sport that needs space. Space to breathe, space to ride, space to make mistakes. And that space is shrinking. Not suddenly, not loudly – ​​but gradually. Tracks are disappearing, track times are being cut, projects are getting bogged down somewhere between building authorities, expert opinions, and appeal deadlines. And while many are still debating whether all of this is "still relevant," another question has long since arisen: Where will this sport even take place in ten or twenty years?

Old routes, new realities

Many of today's well-known motocross tracks were built in a different era. Land was cheaper, permits were more readily available, and motocross was less of a niche sport. Today, these facilities are suddenly located in growth zones, close to new housing developments, logistics centers, or future residential parks. Economic pressure is increasing – and with it, the temptation to "develop" motorsport venues.

For track operators, this means a constant balancing act. Passion alone is no longer enough. It's about noise assessments, liability issues, insurance costs, environmental regulations, and political acceptance. Anyone operating a track today is less of a race organizer and more of a project manager – and often also a crisis mediator.

Why new railway lines are hardly being built anymore

New motocross tracks rarely fail due to a lack of will within the community. They usually fail because of... Environmental considerationsThis concern is entirely justified in itself, but in practice it is often interpreted one-dimensionally. Motocross quickly becomes synonymous with noise, land use, and emissions – and is thus categorically categorized as a problem.

This perspective ignores how drastically the sport has changed. Modern facilities operate with clear travel time models, noise limits, soundproof walls, environmental monitoring, and renaturation plans. Many projects are deliberately built on former industrial sites, open-cast mines, or military areas – areas that would otherwise either lie fallow or be completely sealed.

Nevertheless, many projects fail even on paper. Not because they are poorly planned, but because motorsport often lacks political support.

A look at the USA: California as a warning signal

Anyone who thinks this is purely a German or European problem only needs to look at California. There, motocross has been experiencing for years exactly what we are increasingly facing here. Traditional tracks are disappearing because land prices are skyrocketing. New projects are failing due to environmental regulations, lawsuits, or local residents' initiatives. Even legendary off-road areas have been closed or severely restricted.

California shows where things lead when regulation and urban development grow faster than dialogue with the sport. Motocross still exists there – but increasingly in rural areas, further and further away from metropolitan centers. Anyone who wants to ride has to accept long commutes. Youth programs suffer, spontaneous training sessions become impossible, and clubs lose members. The sport becomes more elitist, not more accessible.

A self-reinforcing cycle

The result is a vicious cycle: because new routes are rarely approved, everything is concentrated on a few existing facilities. This increases the strain on these existing facilities, complaints rise, and regulations become stricter. Ultimately, this confirms the very criticism that was intended to be addressed.

At the same time, riding is shifting into gray areas. Unofficial tracks, illegal training, lack of enforcement. A situation that benefits neither the environment nor safety – but arises from a lack of alternatives.

Between idealism, environment and future

Motocross is not a sport looking backwards. It is constantly evolving technically, athletically, and structurally. Electric training bikes, quieter engines, stricter noise limits – all of this already exists. But without space, every innovation remains ineffective.

Environmental considerations must be part of the solution, not the end of the discussion. Sustainable route concepts, transparent communication with communities, realistic requirements instead of blanket rejection – this is precisely where the future hinges.

Because in the end, it's about more than just tracks. It's about young talent, club life, legal structures, and the question of whether motocross remains visible, controllable, and socially integrated. Or whether it slowly disappears from the public sphere.

Space is becoming scarcer. In Germany. In Europe and the USA.
He's still here. But he won't stay on his own.