As from 1 January 2014 all persons (including bikers, runners and walkers) using Craters MTB Park - Wairakei Forest  need to be a paid-up member of Bike Taupō. This is a condition of the Recreation Permit from LINZ under which Bike Taupō operates the Park.  Most people think that the Park is open to the general public, however although Wairakei Forest is Crown Land, it is not land to which the public are able to freely access.  Usage needs to be monitored and controlled and LINZ do this via Recreation Permits issued to approved bodies. Bike Taupō is required to ensure that all users of the Park are doing so under it's Recreation Permit.  This means all users must be members of BT and come under the protection of BT's public liability insurance policy.

Use of all other Bike Taupō tracks such as the Huka Trails and the Great Lake Trail remain free to access.