New on-bike storage solutions and the opportunities for businesses within mountain biking will fall under the spotlight next month at a special event hosted by the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland.
‘Exploring On-Bike Storage Opportunities: Mountain Biking and Bikepacking’ will be held within Peel Tower in the Scottish Borders on 22 August and will bring key industry figures together to discuss the growing trend in cycling to move away from cumbersome back packs and pannier racks towards more ergonomic ways of carrying equipment on two wheels.
Markus Stitz, the bikepacker who famously cycled around the world on a single-speed bike, will be a guest at the event. He will provide insight on the storage problems faced by mountain bikers who need to be self-sufficient over a long period.
Also in attendance will be a range of product design and engineering academics from across Scotland’s universities with a view to forming collaborations with businesses who want to design new innovative products. The workshop itself will be facilitated by the Glasgow-based product design and engineering consultancy, 4c.
In 2015, £1.35billion was spent on parts, accessories and clothing in cycling, when just £1billion was spent on bicycles alone. Scotland itself, thanks to the work of organisations such as the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, has seen a steady increase in the number of businesses making products for the cycling industry.
Danny Cowe, business development executive at Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, said: “Mountain Biking communities are seeing a trend away from the use of cumbersome back packs and pannier racks towards more efficient ways of carrying food, water and equipment. We are seeing the demise of the back pack and the rise of more ergonomic storage solutions such as frame bags and hip packs that provide more comfort for the rider and better weight distribution over the bike itself. There is an opportunity for businesses to diversify their product range to occupy this new market space.”
The Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, founded by Edinburgh Napier University, the Scottish Funding Council and Scottish Enterprise in 2014, exists to support entrepreneurs and established businesses in Scotland looking to diversify their product range for the cycling industry.
Jessie-May Morgan, business development associate at Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to see and support so many successful businesses across Scotland. It’s great to see people taking advantage of the growing Mountain Biking industry we have here, and capitalising on it with innovative products.”
Tickets for Exploring On-Bike Storage Opportunities: Mountain Biking and Bikepacking are available
here for £10.