moun ta in bik ing
The home of mountain biking One of the fastest growing sports in Scotland, mountain biking is creating a massive buzz. Now a number of stakeholders, including the Scottish government, have got behind the sport with the intention of making the country the European mountain bike capital. Kath Hudson reports
O
ver the past few years, mountain biking
podiums and generally create national pride through
has been the main way my family spend
elite success and world class trails. Another aim, which
our free time. We love the fresh air, the
is outlined in the strategy as being intangible, but just
views and being outside in nature; my
as important, is “simply making people happier.”
husband finds it great stress relief; my 13 year old daughter finds it
Growth business
empowering and my 11 year old son
Mountain biking is already big business in Scotland,
likes the buzz of air time and going downhill fast.
contributing £105m of Gross Value Add (GVA) to the
The sport has so many benefits that I’m sure the
economy in 2015. With the right stewardship, it is estimated
world would be a better place if everyone rode an off
it could be worth £158m (GVA) by 2025. The global market
road bike on a regular basis. Scotland agrees. Its new six
for bike products is expected to be $65bn by 2025, with the
year strategy for mountain biking seeks to embed the
e-bike market alone having the potential to be worth $25bn.
sport into the country’s lifestyle and culture, using it to
These figures have caught the attention of the
boost the economy – through tourism and innovation
Scottish government, which is backing the strategy and
– to improve mental and physical health through
providing funding for the next three years for further
grassroots participation; support its elite riders to get
development of the sport and to fund the Mountain
The Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland Launched in 2014, the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland is a joint initiative headed by Edinburgh Napier University and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland, with project partner, Scottish Enterprise. A world first, the centre is helping to bring Scottish mountain biking products and services to an international audience. It provides businesses with a range of services, including market research, business development, knowledge transfer, concept and product testing, demonstration days and product launches.
It is estimated that mountain biking in Scotland could be worth £158m by 2025
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Issue 3 2019
So far it has worked with 250 Scottish businesses, helping them to create innovative cycling products and services. Aggregated annual turnover by these companies has increased by £13.5m and products worth more than £16m to the Scottish economy have been created. Under plans outlined in the strategy, this centre will be extended into an innovation district.
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