Top cycling bodies met Welsh Assembly Members to voice their support for CTC, the national cycling charity, and Open MTB’s campaign Trails for Wales.
Trails for Wales is the rallying cry for the UK’s leading cycle bodies as they respond to the Welsh Government’s consultation “Improving opportunities to access the outdoors for responsible recreation” which runs until 2 October, and call for open access to the rights of way network as enjoyed by Scotland.
The campaign hopes to follow in the footsteps of the greater access rights that now exist in Scotland, since 2003.
Increased mountain bike access benefits the Scottish economy by £46.5 million a year, with indirect expenditure of up to £119 million and generates over 1,300 jobs.
Since the campaign started on 1 September, over 2,600 off-road and mountain bike enthusiasts have written to the Welsh Government in support of “Trails for Wales”.
This high level of engagement is reportedly the most the Welsh Government has ever had with the off road cycling community. Recent signatories include world down-hill champion Tracy Moseley and Scottish adventurer Mark Beaumont.
CTC and Open MTB are calling for all outdoor enthusiasts to support their campaign Trails for Wales, which they can do at http://www.ctc.org.uk/campaign/trails-wales.