A new £90,000 Trail Therapy Hub will launch this autumn in the Scottish Borders, thanks to a partnership between Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) and California-based organisation Outride. The project will initially support people aged 55 and over with trail-based mental health interventions.
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This latest hub builds on DMBinS’s existing model, already operating in other parts of Scotland as well as internationally in Norway and Switzerland. The partnership merges DMBinS’s innovative Trail Therapy model with Outride’s research-driven approach to the mental and cognitive benefits of cycling.
The project is supported in part by Outride’s Shifting Gears on Brain Health Fund and its partnership with Specialized Bicycle Components. The £90K in funding covers bikes and supports training for new Trail Therapy Practitioners, including mountain bike leadership, first aid, safeguarding, and formal Trail Therapy qualifications.
Christine Fox from DMBinS highlighted the importance of returning to the Tweed Valley, where the first pilot began in 2018. “This transformative intervention connects physical and mental wellbeing, authentic risk, and the joy of nature through mountain biking,” she said.
Esther Walker from Outride noted the potential to reach a broader demographic and explore how bikes can benefit mental wellbeing across all life stages.
Edinburgh Napier University will independently evaluate the programme to help establish evidence and expand its reach.
DMBinS will post updates and launch a call for new practitioners and assistants in July. For those who want to help, consider donating to the Scottish MTB Health Fund..
Read the full press release on the DMBinS website.
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