Ben Riordan is the creator of Trail Sharing, an online platform based on collaboration which provides an alternative method for people to access many of New Zealand’s tramping and mountain biking trails.
The idea began when Ben was completing the Routeburn track with friends. They were at university and while they frequently spent weekends tramping throughout the Southern Alps, they mostly avoided through-trails (those which aren’t loops) due to the additional cost and logistical difficulty of arranging transport.
To complete the Routeburn the group booked a car relocation deal and on the trail noted how it was inefficient to keep crossing paths with people who had paid to get their empty vehicles transported in the opposite direction to where they had just started their journey.
Additionally there were many trips through mountain passes where there were no transport providers. While there are some tramping clubs and Facebook groups which occasionally organise key swaps, Ben found there was no single place to organise mutually beneficial trips.
After pondering what sort of system he wanted to use to better access the backcountry, the idea for Trail Sharing was born.
We caught a ride with Ben to hear more about the concept, how it works, and his hopes for the future.
Tell us about the concept, and how does it work?
The concept is similar to a combination of picking up a rental car and utilising a car relocation service. It begins with one party listing their desired trip on the Trail Sharing platform.
The listing will include the relevant trip details such as the trail, dates and desired direction as well as some basic vehicle and insurance policy details and requirements.
The requirements include factors such as the minimum level of vehicle insurance and driver's licence level as well as a maximum insurance excess they would be comfortable with.
Outlining these factors ensures prospective parties can be comfortable with the cover they will receive and provide throughout the journey before they connect.
Once connected to another party an itinerary of the agreed journey is emailed to both parties along with a guide on how to meet, transparently record the condition of each other's vehicles, exchange, and finally return vehicles.
The process of meeting and exchanging vehicles will be familiar to anyone who has rented a vehicle. The vehicle may not be in perfect condition when you accept it, with a few scratches here and there.
However these need to be documented so both parties can fairly review its condition upon return.
After driving the borrowed vehicle to your respective trail head you can now begin walking or cycling towards your own vehicle.
Keys can either be returned using a lock box attached to your vehicle or once you meet on the trail.
Without any time commitments to a shuttle or organised pick up you can enjoy the trail at your own pace and head straight home after arriving at your vehicle.
There are currently 22 trails available to arrange trips on including several of the Great Walks and alternatives to popular there-and-back trails to allow you to complete trails in new ways.
Why did you establish the exchange of vehicles prior to the trail adventure?
Exchanging vehicles before beginning a journey ensures the two parties can easily plan the time to exchange vehicles and simplifies the remainder of the trip.
After exchanging vehicles each party can complete the trail at their own pace as their own vehicle will be waiting for them at the end ready to drive straight home.
It also ensures you’re driving the other party's vehicle when clean allows you to leave clean clothes and other treats for yourself in your vehicle should you wish.
Is there a cost to connect with others through Trail Sharing?
Currently the platform is free for all users as the intention is to try and allow as many people to access the trails as possible.
How are users protected from damage or liability issues? And do vehicles have to be insured?
A core aspect of the platform is ensuring users feel secure in exchanging their vehicles with connecting parties.
Users must have a minimum of third party insurance to participate, with each listing stating a vehicle's level of insurance and the minimum level of insurance of the other vehicle that they are comfortable driving.
During the vehicle exchange the terms of use of the platform provide a clear guidance around who is responsible at each stage of the trip.
In summary, each person takes on the liability of the borrowed vehicle while they are driving it.
If any damage occurs to your vehicle while the other party is driving it, you have a clear agreement outlining their responsibility for remedying it.
Instructions are also provided guiding each party on how to accurately record the conditions of the vehicles as they are both accepted and returned, in the same way rental car exchanges occur.
Can you give us an example of who is using your site, the kind of experience they had, and how it benefited them?
The best feedback I’ve received was from a family who completed the Routeburn.
It is expensive to book the huts on the Routeburn and they mentioned not having to pay for transport was what allowed them to book their trip.
It was wonderful to hear that the platform allowed them to enjoy one of the country's best walks.
What are your hopes for Trail Sharing over time?
I hope the platform continues to grow and develop in a way that allows people to access more trails.
I think the shuttle providers and car relocation services play a great role in facilitating people to get outdoors and enjoy what we have on offer.
Trail Sharing offers an additional way to increase access for people, in particular the trails which are difficult to service.
There have been several requests for trails to be added which has since happened and also for the platform to be expanded beyond exchanging vehicles.
The ability to list spare seats or request a seat via a ride sharing feature has just been released, so I’m particularly excited to see how people choose to utilise this feature in the near future.
You can find more information about Trail Sharing here.
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