Scotland should get on its bike to secure a multi-million-pound boost to the economy.
According to a new report published today by transport campaign group Transform Scotland, the country should be branded as a must-visit destination for cycle tourism.
The report, published in partnership with Sustrans Scotland, reveals the value of cycle tourism has surpassed expectations.
It is now worth £239 million a year significantly higher than previous research suggested.
Taking the economic contribution from mountain biking and leisure cycle tourism sectors together, the combined value is between £236.2m and £358m per year.
This represents up to a 63% increase from the £219m figure produced by VisitScotland in 2003.
Transform Scotland said it showed there was massive scope for growth to make leisure cycling one of Scotland’s top tourism activities.
In the report, Transform sets out recommendations for unlocking the economic potential of leisure cycling, including promoting it to a wider range of groups and supporting marketing of routes, particularly in rural areas.
Transform Scotland director Colin Howden said: “There is substantial room for growth in touring and leisure cycling and with appropriate promotion could make an even greater contribution to Scotland’s economy.”In Wednesday’s Courier: cycling coach and tour planner Scot Tares of our Skinny Tyres column asks how we can best harness pedal power