Mountain Biking in Australia: An Economic and Participation Analysis AusCycling 9 March 2021 This report: has been prepared by GHD, initially for Mountain Bike Australia and from date of transition to form AusCycling, for AusCycling and may only be used and relied on by AusCycling for the purpose agreed between GHD and AusCycling as set out in section 1 of this report. GHD otherwise disclaims responsibility to any person other than AusCycling arising in connection with this report. GHD also excludes implied warranties and conditions, to the extent legally permissible. The services undertaken by GHD in connection with preparing this report were limited to those specifically detailed in the report and are subject to the scope limitations set out in the report. The opinions, conclusions and any recommendations in this report are based on conditions encountered and information reviewed at the date of preparation of the report. GHD has no responsibility or obligation to update this report to account for events or changes occurring subsequent to the date that the report was prepared. The opinions, conclusions and any recommendations in this report are based on assumptions made by GHD described in this report. GHD disclaims liability arising from any of the assumptions being incorrect. GHD has prepared this report on the basis of information provided by Mountain Bike Australia and AusCycling and others who provided information to GHD, which GHD has not independently verified or checked beyond the agreed scope of work. GHD does not accept liability in connection with such unverified information, including errors and omissions in the report which were caused by errors or omissions in that information. Cover image credit: World Trail & Flow Mountain Bike GHD ADVISORY ii GHD Report for AusCycing - Mountain Biking in Australia: An Economic and Participation Analysis Contents Executive summary ........................................................................................................... 1 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Aims and objectives ................................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Methodological approach ........................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Stakeholder consultation and engagement plan ..................................................................... 6 1.4 Impact of external factors .......................................................................................................... 6 1.5 Data sources ................................................................................................................................ 6 2. Background ............................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Overview of mountain biking ..................................................................................................... 7 2.1.1 History of mountain biking in Australia .............................................................................. 7 2.1.2 Participation trends ............................................................................................................ 7 2.1.3 Types of mountain bikers ................................................................................................. 10 2.1.4 Where is it happening? .................................................................................................... 11 2.2 Demographic profile ................................................................................................................. 13 2.2.1 Location ........................................................................................................................... 13 2.2.2 Gender ............................................................................................................................. 15 2.2.3 Age ................................................................................................................................... 16 2.2.4 Type ................................................................................................................................. 17 2.3 Rider behaviour patterns .......................................................................................................... 18 3. Literature review and gap analysis ........................................................................ 20 3.1 Literature review ....................................................................................................................... 20 3.2 Strategic planning review ......................................................................................................... 20 3.3 Gap analysis .............................................................................................................................. 21 4. Benefits of mountain biking ................................................................................... 22 4.1 Environmental benefits ............................................................................................................ 22 4.2 Social and health benefits ........................................................................................................ 22 4.3 Economic benefits .................................................................................................................... 25 5. Participation rates of mountain biking in Australia .............................................. 28 5.1 Issues surrounding administering the survey ....................................................................... 28 5.2 Survey results and participation estimates ............................................................................ 28 5.3 Trail count data.......................................................................................................................... 30 GHD ADVISORY iii GHD Report for AusCycing - Mountain Biking in Australia: An Economic and Participation Analysis 6. Estimated expenditure on mountain biking in Australia ...................................... 31 6.1 Mountain bike frequency and duration ................................................................................... 31 6.2 Expenditure per ride ................................................................................................................. 32 6.3 Annual expenditure on larger items ........................................................................................ 33 6.4 Expenditure on mountain bike related holidays .................................................................... 34 6.4.1 Intrastate holidays ............................................................................................................ 34 6.4.2 Interstate holidays ............................................................................................................ 36 6.5 Summary of mountain biking related expenditure ................................................................ 40 7. Impacts of mountain biking to Australia ............................................................... 41 7.1 Key assumptions ...................................................................................................................... 41 7.1.1 Participation ..................................................................................................................... 41 7.1.2 Expenditure ...................................................................................................................... 42 7.2 Economic contribution of mountain bike riders to Australia ............................................... 42 8. Key findings and considerations ........................................................................... 46 Figures Figure 1: MTBA membership count, 2014-2020 ............................................................................................... 8 Figure 2: Annual bicycle imports ....................................................................................................................... 9 Figure 3: Australian trail distribution, % of total trails ...................................................................................... 11 Figure 4: Participation by State ....................................................................................................................... 13 Figure 5: Participation by age .......................................................................................................................... 16 Figure 6: MTBA members by membership type .............................................................................................. 18 Figure 7: Frequency of ride ............................................................................................................................. 19 Figure 8: Duration of ride ................................................................................................................................. 19 Figure 9: Word cloud, top benefits of mountain biking .................................................................................... 23 Tables Table 1: Social values of mountain biking, annually and per ride ..................................................................... 2 Table 2: Summary of MTB expenditure ............................................................................................................