In 2019 with a membership of around 18,000 and knowing participation in the activity of mountain biking was considerably higher than membership, Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) commenced a project to quantify participation rates and the associated benefits.
Funded by MTBA and the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources through the Building Better Region Fund, AusCycling (of which MTBA is now a part of) along with consultants GHD, have delivered a report that establishes a baseline of the current levels of participation in mountain biking at a national level, and where possible quantifies the value, of the economic, social and environmental benefits of mountain biking.
Mountain Bike Australia/ AusCycling’s project manager, Denise Cox said although presented with a number of challenges in the form of the 2019/20 bushfires and the COVID19 pandemic which delayed the project, the outcomes are quite compelling, in particular the benefits mountain biking and mountain bikers provide to Australia and its economy.
The report highlights the social value benefits, the personal and community benefits and economic benefits generated from a rider’s participation in mountain biking. A few of these benefits are outlined below.
It is expected the finding of the report will enable AusCycling, clubs, government agencies and other stakeholders to make informed future decisions regarding infrastructure investment, support funding applications for mountain bike infrastructure, economic growth and tourism and support broader outdoor recreation and facility planning.
The report is available HERE