Depending on where you get your numbers, mountain biking is either on the decline, coming back, or holding steady. One report I read said MTB participation dropped 6% from 2008 to 2009, even among core riders, but since our sport has become so fragmented (DH, XC, FR, etc.) it’s hard to know what’s really going on.
Telegram.com posted an article on Sunday and the author asked if mountain biking is on the rebound after years of decline. Looking at the long term picture, mountain biking is WAY down from its heyday in the 1990s by at least half. The Telegram writer seems to think it might have something to do with the fact that these days there’s no “star quality” like there was in the 1990s when riders like Tomac and Tinker Juarez were kicking butt. I’d argue that these guys were stars in a more mainstream sense at the time because mountain biking was more popular then.
Of course active mountain bikers still have their pick of heros today: the Athertons, Danny MacAskill, and Dave Wiens just to name a few. So clearly the stars are out there, they just may not be well known outside of mountain biking due to a decline in the sport’s overall popularity (the chicken vs. the egg).
I believe mountain biking is poised to make a rebound but I don’t think star mountain bikers are going to make it happen. Instead, I think new trails and new riding styles may be the answer. IMBA is doing a kick-ass job getting bigger and better trail systems built near major metro areas in the US which makes mountain biking more accessible to everyone. Consideration for skill progression is also playing a large role in trail design these days which means everyone from beginners to advanced freeriders can enjoy new trails.
Gravity riding is also gaining steam as more and more lift-assisted facilities open up and spectator-friendly DH events are being held across the country. The DJ/Urban scene is getting a boost as well with new indoor parks to attract kids who might have been drawn to skateboarding or BMX in the past.
Even XC riding is seeing a breath of new life with ultra-endurance events and multi-day off-road stage races and tours taking off. Individuals are always looking for new ways to challenge themselves and dirty centuries seem to be the new marathon.
Yep, I predict a modest uptick in mountain biking participation in 2010 but I don’t think it’s the pro riders who are going to bring more riders in. It’s the work of local trail volunteers and entrepreneurs who can cater to the interests of today’s young riders that will really grow the sport. Mountain biking is on its way back in 2010!
