‘Wales. Made For Bikes’ – but maybe not all mountain bikes?

Welsh Cycling has revealed its rebrand to ‘Beicio Cymru‘ and a new ‘Wales. Made for bikes’ strategy. The strategy document reads like a bit of a mix of tourism/participation promotion (woo-hoo, bikes are great, come and see our scenery), and athlete pathway programme (inspiring others through greatness etc). There’s some good stuff in there – all about encouraging cycling and the fun that’s to be had. But when it comes to talking about funding, things look a bit bare – especially if you’re a mountain biker.

Bronze support appears to be little more than a website portal of ‘here’s stuff you can do’, while Gold support looks like the more meaningful stuff needed to support pro athletes. Gold support would be just the sort of thing needed to take the burgeoning young talent we can see shredding the many bike parks of Wales each weekend on to the world stage… but Gold support is only planned for XCO from 2025, is never in the schedule for Downhill, and Enduro doesn’t even get a mention – despite the fact it’s a UCI sanctioned discipline, and typically a fairly accessible format for the enthusiastic amateur. Track, road and closed circuit cycling gets Gold support though – on the one hand not surprising given so much of the British Olympic Team is made up of Welsh Cyclists, but on the other hand it’s somewhat ironic given that many of them train in Manchester, not the velodrome in Newport.

The website states:

Cycling is a sport like no other. Rarely do sports have so many disciplines that are so distinct, all cascading from one banner. 

Through thorough research and consultation, we’ve ensured that we’ve heard from voices across all disciplines. From this, in our mission statement, we’ve identified key focus areas for our strategy that will contribute to inspiring, connecting, and enhancing the well-being of all individuals and communities across our nation.

It’s good to hear that they do at least recognise that ‘cycling’ is a broad church with different needs. Here on the mountain bike front, Robin Grant, founder and chair of the UK MTB Trail Alliance provided this comment:

It’s refreshing to see such a progressive approach taken by an NGB to the development of a new strategy. It’s also great to see the outcome – with such a fresh new brand, forward-looking and inclusive purpose, vision and mission statements and importantly, a commitment to keep the conversation going.

Looking at the detail of their strategy, it’s promising to see the recreational aspects of our sport given attention alongside the competitive aspects, and given the crisis that mountain biking faces, with unofficial trails stuck in purgatory and official trails’ budgets disappearing, it’s good to see a pledge to collaborate with partners to influence policy decisions and secure investments for facilities.

However, I’m confused as to why Track and Road & Closed Circuit cycling are identified as priority disciplines, while cross-country mountain biking is relegated to second-class status, and downhill on an even lower third tier alongside cycle speedway – with no support for Enduro or E-Enduro at all, despite them being UCI disciplines. It’s hard to understand how this can be justified or fair, when mountain biking represents 42.7% of cycling participation, as compared to road cycling or racing’s 47.5% and track cycling’s 4.6% (figures from the Active Lives survey, Nov 23).

– Robin Grant, Founder & Chair, UK MTB Trail Alliance

We’ve asked Beicio Cymru why there’s no mention of enduro – maybe no one mentioned it in the consultation? We’ve also asked where the recent Developing Mountain Biking in Wales project sits within the plans, and what funding might be available to it. And we’ve asked what they’ll be doing about improving access to places for people – normal people, like us – to cycle. We’ll let you know if we hear anything back.

Update:

Caroline Spanton, the CEO of Beicio Cymru, has given us the following response:

On Enduro, my honest answer is it hasn’t been on our radar due to a variety of factors, it isn’t a Commonwealth or Olympic discipline (of which our current funding model is aligned to hence road and track still being important to us on a performances front)  and has only recently been endorsed by British Cycling. It also  wasn’t mentioned through our consultation sessions. However,  last weekend at our Welsh Mountain Bike Championships in Dare Valley Country Park It came up and I spoke to a lot of people who were raving about it for various reasons, and so is an area we do need to support. 

As I have said within the strategy the discipline matrix is a live document that will require continual review to ensure we are up to date with trends, needs and wants and I will ensure that Enduro is a part of the Mountain Bike commission that will be set up in the next couple of months.  If you (or someone you know) would like to be a part of the commission to help us move it forwards that would be amazing. 

The Developing Mountain Biking in Wales sits within our ‘Empower a Cycling Culture’ objective. Robbie, who following the Wales MTB Gathering in May has recently had the green light from MB Wales to recruit for the MB Wales Steering Group. This will be a group of representatives from the MTB and off-road sector in Wales that we are confident will help transform opportunities across Wales. This is and has to be a partnership approach (of which Beicio Cymru are a partner) and funding will need to be sought across the private and public sector to make this happen. We are happy to input and do all we can as we really believe in the growth of Mountain Biking, but needs big energy, personalities and expertise and most important collaboration to get it to life. 

So, there is a future for enduro within the strategy, which is great to hear. Though you have to wonder who the ‘thorough research and consultation’ was with if enduro was never mentioned? Regardless, it’s now on their radar and they’re looking for people to get involved in the new MB Wales Steering Group – another thing it’s good to hear is going ahead. If being part of the Steering Group sounds like something you might be interested in, drop us an email and we’ll put you in touch!

Here’s the official PR:

Welsh Cycling is excited to announce its rebranding to Beicio Cymru as part of a dynamic new strategy for 2024-2030. This transformation underscores the organisation’s commitment to inclusivity, community, and excellence, celebrating the spirit of Wales’ vibrant cycling culture across all disciplines. 

Wales. Made for Bikes
With a clear purpose for the governing body to ‘lead and empower the sport of cycling,’ underpinned by the new tagline ‘Wales. Made for bikes,’ this encapsulates the heart of Beicio Cymru’s vision. It reflects the belief that Wales, with its breathtaking mountain views and serene coastal paths, is the ultimate destination for cyclists. The new name and brand identity are designed to inspire and connect the cycling community across Wales, highlighting their dedication to making cycling relevant, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Caroline Spanton, CEO of Beicio Cymru, shared her excitement about the rebranding: ‘’Our new identity and strategy have been shaped by extensive listening to our community and stakeholders, addressing their aspirations, challenges, and opportunities. This collaborative effort has laid the foundation for a future where cycling in Wales can thrive across many disciplines. We know that partnerships are essential to bring our vision to life, and we look forward to more extensive collaboration and smarter ways of working. We believe that Wales is truly made for bikes, and we are eager to share this vision with everyone.”

2024-2030 Strategy
The Beicio Cymru 2024-2030 strategy aims to elevate cycling in Wales through five key pillars: empowering a cycling culture, elevating cycling excellence, excite new generations of riders, ensuring effective and relevant governance, and valuing our people. These pillars focus on connecting cycling experiences across Wales, developing a world-class talent pathway, providing inclusive opportunities for young cyclists, implementing strong governance, and supporting our community, all to foster a thriving cycling environment.

Discover the New Website
As part of the rebranding, Beicio Cymru is excited to launch a brand new website. The site serves as a comprehensive resource for cyclists, featuring information on initiatives, events, 
and ways to get involved. Visitors can explore the latest updates, sign up for the newsletter, and find a local club to start or continue their cycling journey.

Join the Olympic farewell Festiva
Beicio Cymru invites everyone to join in person on Saturday, July 27, at Newport Sports Village for the Olympic Farewell Festiva. This event will not only celebrate the launch of Beicio Cymru but also provide an opportunity for young children to take to two wheels and meet the stars of the future from the Beicio Cymru Performance Pathway. It’s a chance to witness the new brand in action and engage with the vibrant cycling community.

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