Mountain Biking & the North Pennines Shane Harris: Responsible Tourism Lead

AONBs & Protected Landscapes What’s special & where is it? Cycling in the AONB Packhorse Trails Electric Bike Network Challenges Final words Outline

Landscapes of equivalent value to National Parks Born out of the same legislation IUCN Category V – Protected Landscapes 40 in England & Wales AONBs & Protected Landscapes

Nidderdale

Arnside & Silverdale

Northumberland Coast

Conservation and enhancement of natural beauty Also... Support for economic & social activities which in themselves contribute to the purpose of designation Promoting enjoyment & understanding in ways compatible with primary purpose AONBs – Purpose of designation

–tumbling waterfalls, sweeping moorland views What’s special?

–inky-black night skies What’s special?

–fantastic birds, colourful hay meadows –real weather sense of ‘authenticity’ What’s special?

–fabulous landscape –snaking stone walls & friendly faces –‘otherness’ – wide horizons, big skies & a sense of freedom What’s special?

Designated in 1988 c2,000 sq km – 2 nd largest AONB In NE & NW regions 3 counties – Cumbria, Durham & Northumberland 2 districts – Eden & Carlisle Where is the North Pennines?

–Glorious range of cycling –Sweeping road routes Tour of the Reservoir Tour of Britain Roof of England Sportive (28 Aug 2016) –Traffic-free family Disused railway tracks Hamsterley Forest –Mountain biking X-country Downhill Forest trails –Touring C2C Pennine Cycleway Walney to Wear Cycling in the AONB

–Five x-country mountain bike routes: Alston Baldersdale Blanchland Hamsterley Hartside –Based on packhorse routes Linked to lead mining landscapes Historic routes trod by galloways –Waterproof routes cards, booklet with services & further information Packhorse Trails

–11 Hire Points, 25 bikes, downloadable routes, Hire Points –Launched in 2014, expanded this year –Distinctive look and feel Website – Logo & brand guidelines Downloadable routes –Brand standard: Quality, well-maintained bikes Rescue and recovery Same hire charges across the network Electric Bike Network

–Concept Increase accessibility Low carbon activity Support existing small tourism businesses, additional revenue stream Small numbers at lots of Hire Points, spread the benefit Subsidised lease charges Electric Bike Network

A ‘natural destination’ but with a multi-layered identity Three DMOs Fragmentation of offer due to administrative boundaries Declining public sector resources - time+£ Seasonality/single night stays Complexity of funding landscape Health and wellbeing agenda Challenges…Opportunities

A special place –nationally & internationally designated landscape Compelling rural offer –Cycling, dark skies, nature, culture Approach –Responsible Tourism –‘responsibility is the process and attitude, sustainability is the goal’ –‘better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit’ Challenging –Taking responsibility –Holistic approach –Partnership/collaboration Last words…