Ballymoney Cycling Club demands answers

Nuala McCann for BBC News Online reported a 650,000 cash opportunity to develop mountain bike trails and boost tourism in Northern Ireland has been lost.

The funds, earmarked to develop off-road cycling trails, have been "re-allocated" after the principal landowner, the state-owned Forest Service, withheld its support.

A grant of 650,000 from the European Peace II fund, to be administered by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, has been re-allocated. Hopes that another potential funder, the Environmental and Heritage Service, part of the Department of the Environment, would also support the project with funding of 182,000, now lie in doubt. Disappointed mountain bike enthusiasts say they are left with just two locations in Northern Ireland where they can practice the popular sport which now features in the Olympic Games. Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing countryside recreation activities in the United Kingdom and is also one of the most lucrative in terms of attracting tourists and revenue.

In Snowdonia, Wales, mountain biking now contributes about 3.5m to the rural economy every year.

However, an estimated 9,000 mountain bikers in Northern Ireland could miss out because trail development plans have fallen through. It is understood the Forest Service is reluctant to commit to the project because of concerns about trail maintenance. In its UK newsletter, the International Mountain Bike Association, IMBA, states: "The majority of trails are on land owned or managed by the Forest Service, who are voicing concerns about trail maintenance and restoration after tree felling.

"This reflects that, unlike the Forestry Commission in the rest of the UK, state forestry in Northern Ireland has yet to fully embrace recreation and conservation."

"People who spend 2,000 on a bike are not going to baulk at ferry and plane costs.”

It would have been great for tourism. The trails have proved a huge success in Wales and Scotland, so why has the plug been pulled on plans for Northern Ireland?"

Mr Harrop said IMBA had fostered a good relationship with both the Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN), which developed the strategy, and with the Forest Service, the main proposed landowner.

"We are very disappointed that this has not progressed. We are surprised that when we have a good relationship with CAAN and the Forest Service, they cannot seem to agree with each other on a way forward," he said.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board supported the plans but it stopped short of offering a 650,000 grant to the project.

Spokesperson and Public relations officer for Ballymoney Cycling Club Maurice McAllister said that the club were in the business of developing riders and finding new talent. In the 80’s BMX was the feeder to the sport and from it came many Irish and National Champions.

It is recognised that with so many accidents on the roads, parents are not happy with just allowing their children to get involved in road racing at an early age. And off road riding like cyclo cross and mountain biking could be the initial stepping stone into the world of bike sport.

The Ballymoney CC representative said that the club will be meeting with the local MP, MLA and other government representatives to attempt to get some movement in this vital and enjoyable aspect of the sport in the local community.

This weekend sees the start of the 2010 racing season getting started for real.

This Saturday 27 February, the club has riders going to Annaclone, Banbridge for the Travers Engineering Gran Prix, this race is promoted by Banbridge Cycling Club, details can be got from Stephen Curran on 02840626882

Then on Sunday the Phoenix Grand Prix will be held at Nutts Corner with the club again being represented, details about this race can be got from Colin Hughes on 02890685250.

Club Runs will be as normal:

Outdoor Life on Market Street at 9.30am on Saturday and from Ballymoney Rugby Club on Sunday 9.30am