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​ $450,000 to implement the Western Australian Mountain Bike Strategy

Part of strategy is boosting female participation

New funding for mountain biking in Western Australia will drive the expansion of one of the world's fastest growing recreational activities.

Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies today announced $450,000 would be allocated to the Western Australian Mountain Bike Strategy over three years.

"We are blessed with amazing natural landscapes in WA and incredible trails to match," Ms Davies said.

"This funding will go to WestCycle - the State's peak cycling body - and the WA Mountain Bike Association to deliver recommendations from the strategy, released in May.

"One recommendation was increasing female participation, which currently sits at about 12 per cent. So some funds will go towards developing female-friendly strategies, like a program in Karratha which has successfully encouraged women to get involved in mountain biking."

In the first year, WestCycle will use the funds to:

employ a full-time project manager to deliver the identified strategy priorities

provide assistance to mountain bike clubs to ensure they grow and prosper

conduct a health impact assessment of the benefits of mountain biking in WA

investigate and develop strategies to grow children's participation

develop a standard for mountain biking guides to ensure positive and consistent experiences for those that undertake guided tours

develop a marketing plan to ensure maximum participation potential is reached.

Environment Minister Albert Jacob said about 120,000 mountain bikes were purchased each year in WA and almost half a million West Australians now owned a mountain bike.

"The Department of Parks and Wildlife is proud of the trails it has created, which showcase the natural beauty of our State," Mr Jacob said.

"Mountain biking is a healthy, family friendly activity that caters for a range of ages and levels. It also has important flow-on economic, social and tourism benefits, all of which the strategy aims to maximise."

Fact File

Two years in development, the strategy was funded and supported by the departments of Sport and Recreation and Parks and Wildlife and prepared by WA's peak cycling body WestCycle and the WA Mountain Bike Association.

For more information, visit http://www.westcycle.org.au/

Sport and Recreation Minister's office - 6552 5500