New partnership aims to grow Scotland’s cycling economy

Edinburgh Napier University and South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) have launched a new partnership aimed at growing the nation’s cycling and mountain biking economy.

At the heart of the partnership is the Caerlee Mill Bike Campus, a physical home for cycling innovation in Innerleithen. The campus will offer flexible business units, partnership spaces, specialist testing facilities and innovation support services, creating a vibrant hub for local, Scottish, UK and international cycling businesses.

Due to open in summer 2027, the campus is being delivered by SOSE and Edinburgh Napier University, with support from Scottish Borders Council.

“As the Campus progresses towards opening in 2027, it will play an important role in strengthening the South of Scotland’s cycling economy and delivering long-term benefits for local communities in the Scottish Borders and the wider Borderlands region,” said Councillor Euan Jardine, Leader of Scottish Borders Council and Borderlands Partnership Board member.

The partnership also includes other initiatives, including Bike Innovation Scotland Labs and Bike Innovation Scotland.

The Bike Innovation Scotland Labs are the specialist research, testing and development arm, encompassing facilities including the Trail Lab and Human Performance and Innovation Lab. Both are operated by Edinburgh Napier University and offer industry-leading expertise in product testing, rider performance and innovation.

Additionally, Bike Innovation Scotland is the national-facing innovation and delivery brand, connecting industry, academia and public sector partners to support research, business growth, product development and knowledge exchange across Scotland and beyond.

The new Bike Innovation Scotland brand builds on more than a decade of work by the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, hosted by Edinburgh Napier University, which has supported cycling businesses with consultancy, testing, research and evaluation services since 2014.

Over the next decade, the project is expected to generate £86 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) and support more than 225 jobs across the South of Scotland, delivering long-term economic benefits while creating new opportunities for businesses and communities.

“The launch of Bike Innovation Scotland and the new brand identity for Caerlee Mill Bike Campus marks an important milestone for the project,” said Russel Griggs, Chair of SOSE. “This is about creating a place where innovation, enterprise and community benefit come together, supporting high-value jobs, attracting investment and reinforcing the South of Scotland’s reputation as a leading destination for cycling and mountain biking.”