Scottish Borders Council approve ambitious cycle tourism strategy

Cyclists enjoyed the scenery above the River Tweed, near Walkerburn. Picture: Stephen Whitehorne

SCOTTISH Borders Council's Executive Committee has approved an ambitious five year strategy for further developing and expanding cycle tourism in the area.

The Scottish Borders is an area with an already long-established road cycling offer, with its commitment to its world-renowned mountain biking trails and events such as the Tour o’ the Borders and the Enduro World Series.

The new cycle tourism strategy will seek to provide a strategic framework for the development of cycling with the aim of the Borders being recognised as one of the UK’s premier cycling destinations by 2021.

The strategy has been developed following consultation with a range of partners, stakeholders and interested groups.

A mountain biker flies through the air at Glentress. Picture: Graham Riddell

The new strategy will look to improve the existing infrastructure throughout the region, bring in even more cycling based events and increase awareness of the Borders as a cycling tourism destination.

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Councillor Stuart Bell, SBC’s Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “For a number of years the Council has supported the cycling sector to grow, including through our support for locally-organised events and by bringing events such as the Tour of Britain to the Borders.

“These have proved hugely successful, and in addition to some world-class mountain biking trails like the 7stanes, there have been positive developments in relation to our leisure cycling offer, such as the development of new and improved paths, including the route between Innerleithen and Peebles.

“As set out in this strategy, there is even more that can be done to make the area one of the leading cycle tourism destinations in the country, and that requires both further investment and support. It encompasses event development, infrastructure and marketing to maximise cycling events and tourism opportunities, which will result in an increased economic benefit to the Scottish Borders.”