Industry sustainability at the heart of 10 year plan for WA mountain biking

WestCycle, the key advisory group for cycling in Western Australia, has highlighted the need for long-term funding to support mountain bike trail construction and maintenance in the state over the next 10 years.

Launched late last week, WestCycle’s Western Australian Mountain Bike Strategy: Mountain Biking and Off-Road Cycling in Western Australia 2022-2032 aims to guide sustainable mountain biking development in the state, and provides a set of 59 recommendations that address mountain biking challenges, while maximising mountain biking benefits and building on the gains made in recent years.

AusCycling Manager of Clubs, Community & Sport Development - WA Matt Poyner praised the breadth of the strategy, and supported those recommendations aimed at increasing resilience in the sector and securing long-term funding for trail development.

“There is no doubt mountain biking is booming in WA and around Australia. More than 53,000 people in WA got on a mountain bike last year, with participation rates booming,” Poyner said.

AusCycling is excited to support the growth in mountain biking in WA through its development of local mountain bike clubs; support for WA athletes, coaches, and officials; and in attracting world class mountain biking and off-road events to WA.

Dwellingup, 100 kilometres south of Perth, will host the 2023 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon Masters World Championships, while Nannup in the southwestern region of the state has been awarded the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships.

Poyner added that AusCycling is committed to implementing the strategies it is directly named in.

“Strengthening high performance pathways, and investing in athletes, coaches, commissaires, and officials across all disciplines is part of our remit, and we look forward to working with WestCycle over the coming months and years to achieve these recommendations,” Poyner said.

AusCycling contributed to the consultation phase of the strategy that was developed by WestCycle in partnership with the WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, and the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

To read the strategy in full, visit the WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries website.

Photos: Matt Rousu Photography