"Why Aren't You Mountain Biking?" - New Toolkit Launched to Foster True Inclusivity
Despite mountain biking's powerful ability to connect people with nature and improve well-being, many individuals still feel excluded. Recently published by Mòr Diversity and Ride Sheffield, this new toolkit asks, "Why aren't you mountain biking?" not as a challenge, but as a crucial call to action.
Built on extensive research and real-world experiences, the “Why Aren't You Mountain Biking?" toolkit, provides practical solutions to dismantle barriers within the mountain biking community. Sharing insights gathered from over 400 survey respondents and in-depth discussions with community leaders and riders.
"We believe mountain biking has the power to bring people together, improve mental and physical well-being, and foster a deep connection with nature," says Aneela McKenna from Mòr Diversity.
"However, our research confirms that not everyone feels welcome. Our findings show that 38.4% of all respondents believe mountain biking culture is inclusive. This drops significantly among underrepresented communities: just 22.7% of people of colour individuals, 22.5% of LGBTQ+ individuals, and 19.33% of disabled individuals perceive the culture as inclusive."
Some of the key barriers to access highlighted in this report are:
Knowledge Gap: 21% of respondents identified a lack of information about trails as a key barrier to getting started in mountain biking, highlighting the need for better . beginner resources.
Perceived Risk: Media portrayals often focus on the dangers of mountain biking rather that its well-being and mental health benefits - despite 78% of riders stating that mental health and wellbeing is their main motivation to ride
Limited Access Pathways: 79% of respondents discovered mountain biking through personal connections such as friends, family, or partners, indicating a lack of accessible and independent entry points into the sport.
Lack of Diverse Representation: The Media often portrays mountain biking as a male-dominated sport, with a perceived lack of racial diversity. This contributes to feelings of being an outsider for many.
"This toolkit provides actionable steps, complete with checklists and inspiring case studies from groups like Rider Resilience, Bristol Shredders, and The Adaptive Riders Collective," explains Henry Norman from Ride Sheffield. "It's a testament to what can be achieved when we shift our focus to people, ensuring mountain biking is truly for everyone."
The full "Why Aren't You Mountain Biking?" report and toolkit are available for download on the Reframing Mountain Biking website.
