2025 Queensland Mountain Bike Forum

Mountain Biking Across Queensland

The Queensland Mountain Bike Forum will explore the future of mountain biking and what this means to riders, community and the industry.

In May 2024, Outdoors Queensland hosted the North Queensland Mountain Bike Forum in Cairns. This year, we are returning to Cairns, and are expanding it to a full day event with a statewide focus – lock in Tuesday 20th May 2025. Register now!

Leaders from across the mountain bike world will lead discussions on relevant topics, including:

Keynote – Shifting trends and the big picture
The scene for the day will be set by a legend of the mountain biking industry… where we have come from and where to from here?

Session 1 – Data fundamentals, how information shapes how we plan and manage trails
Trail usage data, rider perspectives and feedback are reshaping how we manage mountain bike networks.
What can targeted information tell us about usage, demographics, sustainability and the economic impact of trails and how we manage them?

Session 2 – Sustainable funding and management
When all is said and done, managing trail networks after construction is usually the biggest single challenge for trail managers and developers. Hear unique stakeholder and industry perspectives about sustainable funding approaches and innovative ways to return resources back to trail care.
What are the nested opportunities, co-benefits and challenges for balancing the books and keeping trails drawing crowds?

Session 3 – Sustainable trails from the ground up
Hear perspectives from industry leaders, government agencies and First Nations on management models, disaster recovery and building resilience into our trail networks. In Australia’s most disaster-prone state, sustainable trails are as much about their design and construction as they are about the community that champions them.
What are the challenges and where are the opportunities?

Session 4 – Riding the wave, participation and rider development
There’s a groundswell of participation in mountain biking and new opportunities and programs for rider development are constantly evolving. Hear about the rich personal rewards and exciting approaches to participation from the coaches, agencies and enablers who make this happen on the ground.
What does the sport and the industry need to flourish?

Session 5 – Shining a light on the future of mountain bike tourism
We are relatively comfortable with mountain biking being framed as a tourism offering, but what does that mean in a competitive recreation and ecotourism market?
What are the roles of trail networks in Queensland and where might be in twenty years from now?

Session 6 – Workshop session Q&A
Mountain biking in Queensland – discussion around the room.
What will be your key take-home from the forum? The only way to know is to turn up and get involved!
We would love you to come and join the discussions.

Register now!
Be prepared to bring and share your experiences and ideas for the future of mountain biking in Queensland.

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet face to face with the right people in the right context to discuss (and maybe even solve) challenges in your mountain biking space.

The Queensland Mountain Bike Forum is supported by Blue Sky Trails, the FNQ Regional Organisation of Councils, Mackay Regional Council and The Cairns Institute

Numbers are limited.  Register now!