No other region in the Alps has developed mountain biking as professionally, authentically, and successfully as Graubünden. This success did not come about by chance. The foundation was laid in 2009 with a visionary concept called "graubündenBike." It was the starting signal for a success story that made Graubünden number one in the Alps.

Mediocrity instead of pioneering spirit

The glorious development phase was followed in 2023 by a follow-up project under the aegis of the company "Allegra," with open and participatory workshops at its core. The idea: everyone can have a say, contribute projects, and decide together what will be developed further. The result is now proving sobering. A glance at the project list speaks for itself, including, for example, the development of a measuring point concept; a car-free day on two Alpine passes; improving school routes by bicycle; a trendy gravel event; training for trail maintenance; the production of a coffee table book; the organization of a symposium; an event for and with regional politicians; the activation of female mountain bikers with events; the operation of a continuing education platform. All well and good, but this is well-intentioned mediocrity that numerous other regions also offer. The pioneering spirit that once inspired Graubünden has faded into mediocrity.

The crucial mistake lies in the system of these voluntary workshops. Those who participate are either there on official business – representatives from authorities, tourism and associations – or are hoping for funding for their own projects. Or both. The motivation is therefore primarily based on opportunity. Personal gain becomes the guiding star of the strategy. This does not lead to progress, but rather to a parade of interests.

The lead will soon be lost

With this approach, Graubünden has lost momentum in mountain biking, while Valais is in the fast lane, France is catching up with a huge, high-quality trail network, and mountain railways in Austria are investing heavily in downhill trails. To mention just the developments in the immediate vicinity. There is now isolated discontent within Graubünden. Key players view this mediocrity as critical or even dangerous, but they only speak their minds behind closed doors. No one dares to take a stand. The fear of alienating the canton as a source of funding is too great. "He who pays the piper calls the tune" – this saying hits the nail on the head in Graubünden. The mountain biking canton suffers from opportunism and nepotism in economic development, tourism, and Allegra. 

Back to its pioneering role?

What Graubünden now needs in terms of mountain biking is a strong, visionary, and independent mission statement. A committee that thinks strategically, acts courageously, and develops perspectives. Instead, the vision for the future published by graubündenBike reads like an interchangeable mobility concept for a big city, in which the word mountain bike does not even appear.

There are plenty of pioneering areas for action: no longer developing mountain biking as a tourist activity, but as part of society as a whole. Promoting the region through attractive mountain bike infrastructure. State-of-the-art digitalization strategies for user guidance. Visionary perspectives for transport and mountain railway infrastructure. And so on. There are numerous approaches to taking mountain biking to the next level. Graubünden still has what it takes to resume this pioneering role. The idea of developing such a visionary committee had already been on the table once before, but the response from the cantonal authorities in 2022 was unequivocal: "We don't need a competence center. Graubünden is the competence center." This statement is symbolic of a dangerous arrogance. Just like Kodak, Nokia, or General Motors, who once believed they were untouchable and were then overwhelmed by the spirit of the times. Graubünden's participatory workshops are an excellent method for developing projects and offerings. But they prove unsuitable as a central strategic element. That is why Graubünden urgently needs to raise its sights again when it comes to mountain biking. And sharpen them. It needs new visions, fresh ideas, and courageous minds. Otherwise, the canton risks sinking into mediocrity, where it already has one foot. What is needed is a new dynamic with a far-sighted and convincing strategy. Now would be the moment for the next big move to bring back the pioneering spirit that once made Graubünden great. Symbolic of the situation is a quote from former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop in his farewell speech: "We didn't do anything wrong, but somehow, we lost." Graubünden should take this sentence to heart.
 

Disclosure

In 2022, author Thomas Giger, together with several representatives from the tourism regions, launched the idea of establishing a mountain bike competence center in Graubünden. The project was rejected by the cantonal authorities and Graubünden Tourism. Giger had and continues to have no personal or professional ambitions, but rather an intrinsic motivation to promote the spirit of mountain biking. Due to his financial independence, he is currently one of the few people who publicly questions mountain bike developments in Graubünden.