Sustainability and mountain biking

YOU CAN now sign up for the World Mountain Bike Conference on Sustainability being held on 12-15 May at Dumfries, Scotland.

This will be the first time visitors will be able to attend the conference outside North America, and it has already attracted interest from speakers and delegates from across the world.

The pricing policy is not clear, however. There are various combinations of pre-sessional evening and day activities. “The conference is shaping up to be a world beating event and we are really pleased to have so many interesting speakers coming to share their experiences," said Fiona Murray, Forestry Commission Scotland's tourism manager.

The commission added that they are keen to encourage anyone involved in mountain biking from all over the world to the conference and to enjoy the biking events planned around the event.

There will be the chance to put the owner's of land and other bodies under pressure to make sure the facilities that are in this country are up to speed.

On the list of events is the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) discussing environmental guidelines for bike parks; the Kona-collaboration Bikes for Africa; the United Nations Development Programme (Montenegro), on developing a poverty-stricken region for green adventure tourism; and Alta Rezia, private sector collaboration in Switzerland and Italy.

There will also be the Original Bicycle Festival happening at the same time, which aims to celebrate all kinds of bikes, providing a series of activities and events for locals and delegates alike to take part in. Register your place at www.worldmountainbikeconference.com - the first 100 names pulled out of the hat on 31 March will receive a £50 discount.