MTB News: Billions for cycling – but what about us? – MTB Report

The EU is investing billions in bike infrastructure – but when it comes to mountain biking, most cities remain silent. Why? And what can we really do?

Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report

The message is clear: the EU wants us to ride. Not just to the office, but out into the wild – over hills, through forests, across valleys. That’s why between 2021 and 2027, over €4.5 billion will be invested in cycling infrastructure across Europe. More than 12,000 kilometers of new or improved routes are planned.

Sounds great? It is.

But here’s the reality: many cities and local governments have no idea these funds exist. Others know – but look the other way. They don’t apply. They stall. And when it comes to mountain biking? They dismiss it entirely.

In Germany, there’s an official roadmap: the National Cycling Plan 3.0. It aims to make cycling safer and more accessible by 2030 – and yes, it includes public funding.

👉 National Cycling Plan – www.bmv.de
👉 EU Strategy – transport.ec.europa.eu

So what does this have to do with mountain biking?

Everything.

Because legal trails, bike parks and nature access don’t appear out of nowhere.
They depend on permits. On support. On public funding. And if decision-makers don’t understand how mountain biking fits into the big picture, we’ll continue to miss out – while the money goes elsewhere.

The obstacle isn’t the forest – it’s the town hall.

Here’s the hard truth: most cycling projects don’t fail due to lack of money.
They fail because local officials either don’t know or don’t want to know.

Mountain bikers are often seen as a risk. Trails as legal trouble. And funding as too complicated.
Meanwhile, real infrastructure projects are already happening elsewhere – like in Germany’s Ruhr region, where a 6 km trail on the Schurenbachhalde in Essen was developed with public and EU funds.
In Tyrol, Austria, there’s a funding program that includes MTB trails as part of hiking and recreation infrastructure.

So when a city says, “That doesn’t apply to mountain biking,” the truth is: it does.
They just haven’t looked into it.

Let’s be smart about it.

When talking to governments, we need to speak their language.
Not “jumps and berms” – but “recreational mobility infrastructure”.
Not “bike park” – but “low-impact tourism development”.

We also need to show that we’re not just riders. We’re organizers. Volunteers. Communicators.
We help with trail care, safety, public outreach. We’re ready to be part of the solution – if they’re ready to listen.

But don’t go alone.

If you want to get involved, don’t head straight to city hall.
Start with your local MTB or cycling club. Ask around. See if anyone knows about these programs.
If not, raise the topic within the group. Build support.

Because one voice may be ignored – but a united local community? That’s when things change.
And that’s what #MTBlife is about: Real Ride. Real Talk. Real Change.

Further reading & links
• National Plan – www.bmv.de
• EU Infrastructure Goals – transport.ec.europa.eu
• Schurenbach Trail example (Germany) – www.rvr.ruhr
• Tyrol funding info – foerdermittelkompass.reflecta.org