Scotland has landed one of mountain biking’s biggest continental gatherings, with Bike Innovation Scotland confirmed as host of the 2027 IMBA Europe Summit. The event, run in partnership between Edinburgh Napier University and South of Scotland Enterprise, will bring the trade and trail-building community to the Scottish Borders from 22 to 24 September 2027.
Delegates will gather at the newly developed Caerlee Mill Bike Campus and Trail Lab in Innerleithen, a site increasingly recognised as a hub for mountain bike research, product testing and sustainable trail design. The Tweed Valley itself needs little introduction to UK riders, having long been regarded as one of Britain’s premier off-road destinations thanks to its network of natural singletrack and purpose-built trail centres.
IMBA Europe’s annual Summit typically draws land managers, destination bodies, trail associations and industry figures from across the continent to share expertise on sustainable trail development, access rights and the economic case for mountain biking tourism. Securing the event represents a significant vote of confidence in the Borders’ credentials, both as a riding destination and as a base for applied research into trail infrastructure.
For UK riders, the announcement is more than a diary date. Decisions taken at gatherings like this often shape how trails are built, maintained and funded in the years that follow, meaning the discussions held in Innerleithen could have a direct bearing on the quality and longevity of the singletrack many of us ride every weekend. It also cements the Tweed Valley’s status on the European mountain biking map, likely bringing further investment and visibility to a region that has already done much to put Scottish trail riding on the international stage.
Sam Allcock is a digital PR entrepreneur and publisher with over two decades in SEO, content and media. He founded PR Fire, the pay-as-you-go press release distribution service, and has worked with brands including Red Bull, Nokia and Liverpool FC. He contributes to HuffPost, HubSpot and The London Economic, and owns a portfolio of news and media titles, of which On Track Magazine is one.
