This is a trade facing website. Visit the ACT's consumer site thecyclingexperts.co.uk for information and advice on cycling and find your local independent cycle retailer.

Search News

Results: 1-10 of 974


20 Sep 2023

ACT members will benefit from a long term discounted commission of just 3%

18 Sep 2023

Sustrans are calling on schools and families across the UK to take part in Cycle to School Week from 25 to 29 September to experience how travelling actively can be healthy, cheap and fun.

18 Sep 2023

New statistics showing a 5% fall in cycling from last year should be a “wake-up call for the government” and are due to the Government's "flawed" decision to slash the...

18 Sep 2023

The government’s Active Lives Survey has revealed that, in 2022, Cambridge (50%), Oxford (35%), Isles of Scilly (30%), Hackney (28%), and Southwark (25%) were the five local authorities in...

18 Sep 2023

ACT member Balfe’s Bikes has begun its plan to introduce Cytech apprentices to its stores and upskill existing staff through the Cytech training programme.

15 Sep 2023

The team from Whistler Adventure School (WAS), which recently became the only centre in Canada accredited to offer Cytech technical three, is to deliver a series of free sessions in Scotland,...

6 Sep 2023

Offers designed to help Londoners 'make the green transition' following the expansion of the ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) last month include a range of discounts, offers or trials available...

6 Sep 2023

A new report on the state of the UK cycle industry suggests that bike sales have fallen once again, months after it was reported that they had fallen to a 20-year low in 2022.

6 Sep 2023

Rebecca, staff member with the ACT has released an EP on the music platform Spotify, with popular local band Thee Derelique.

5 Sep 2023

Small and medium sized retailers who may be struggling amid current economic challenges have been offered an opportunity to share their stories on TV.

Back to news menu

New research shows rising popularity of off-road e-bikes and electric mountain bikes

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

British Cycling has published new research, which shows the rising popularity of off-road e-bikes and electric mountain bikes (e-MTB’s) and highlights the need for improvements to cycling infrastructure and more inclusive policies to enable more people to enjoy the social and health benefits of this growing activity.

Focusing on current and future trends, the study undertaken by Edinburgh Napier University looked at the opportunities and challenges presented by the growth of the e-MTB market over recent years and has also offered recommendations to improve access and inclusion, develop facilities and provide clear information and advice as e-MTBs continue to grow in popularity.

e-mountain bike

Key findings include:

•    e-MTB riders are riding further, faster, and more frequently throughout the year compared to other cyclists. Mental health was cited as the biggest benefit of riding e-MTB’s (39%).
•    Most riders (83%) were likely to avoid trails in fragile areas and most riders, particularly women, were looking for social rides with the preferred location being trail centres.
•    In the future, riders are looking for e-MTB friendly gates and barriers at trail centres, as well as for trails and trail features to be more compatible with two-wheel and adapted e-MTB’s.
•    The demographics of e-MTB riders in Britain showed that 96% of people riding e-MTBs are white, 15% are disabled and primarily ranged from 45-74 years old, with the majority of riders being male. In September last year, British Cycling partnered with the Colour Collective to increase the number of trained MTB leaders from diverse ethnic communities.
•    In total, 90% said that cost was the main barrier to participation.

British Cycling’s Official and Off-Road Leadership Lead, Ben Creed, said:

" Cycling participation in e-MTB has skyrocketed in recent years and is becoming increasingly accessible to the wider population. The results from this research are incredibly useful for us and will support our work to capitalise on the opportunities and prepare us for challenges that we may encounter.

"The volume of e-bikes and e-MTBs is already significant and growing fast. We know that they support many riders to be more active, as well as being a lifeline for those who might not otherwise be able to ride. We are keen to develop new ways in which we can appeal to and engage an even wider audience, including those who are currently inactive, such as our Breeze into the Forest programme for women, and our work with the Colour Collective to increase the number of trained MTB leaders from diverse ethnic communities.

"We are taking on board the recommendations offered and are already working towards creating sustainable growth through widening participation, trail infrastructure, and responsible access. We hope that by working together to manage increasing levels of access, we can help to mitigate the impact on environments, maintain rider safety, and enable more riders to enjoy cycling in our amazing countryside."

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.