Mountain Bike innovation project

Launched in June 2014, the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland is supporting a multi-million pound economic boom, helping small businesses work with universities to develop new and innovative products for the growing mountain biking market.

The Centre, which is run as a partnership with Edinburgh Napier University, SFC, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Cycling, opened in 2014 at Glentress Forest near Peebles, the UK’s largest mountain bike trail centre with more than 300,000 visitors per year. 

A recent survey of 28 companies helped by the Centre, with products ranging from textiles and bicycle manufacturers to security devices, forecast a combined increase in turnover of £13.5 million over the next three years. It is estimated that this growth will create 69 new jobs and see a £7.4 million increase in international sales over the same period.

The project encapsulates the spirit of Scotland CAN DO and the innovation agenda outlined in Scotland’s Economic Strategy 2015.