Bike Innovation Scotland

The Trail Lab @ The Golfie

A unique, fully instrumented, 5G-enabled trail environment delivering real-world data at scale.

The Trail Lab proof of concept will launch in summer 2026, running for 12 months in a live trail setting at The Golfie. This isn’t a lab simulation - it’s real riders, real conditions, and real insight.

During this phase, we’ll collect and analyse data across key areas including rider performance, product behaviour, and environmental conditions. This will help shape the design of the final, fully instrumented Trail Lab, with the permanent location confirmed before the end of this phase.

Stack of logs with a person smiling in front of it with their bike next them

Bike and Rider Product Development

Bridging the gap between controlled lab tests and real riding conditions.

We provide real-world testing for:

Bikes, components and systems
Suspension and tyre performance
Handling, braking and control dynamics
Product durability in real trail environments

This allows brands to develop and refine products based on how they actually perform on the trail - not just in theory.

Read our Case Study

Ground of a forest

Trail Design and Sustainability

Better trails start with better evidence.
Using real-world data, we support:

Usage data and rider behaviour
Environmental monitoring
Long-term sustainability analysis
Design optimisation for durability and experience

Our goal is simple: build trails that last longer, perform better, and feel great to ride.

Read the research paper

View of tall trees from ground up

Ecology and Environmental Data Collection

Understanding how trails interact with the natural environment is crucial to their future.

We monitor and analyse:

Soil conditions and moisture
Trail wear and sustainability
Environmental impact
Bioacoustics and biodiversity

This data helps land managers and trail builders create and maintain trails that work with nature, not against it.

Two people looking at their screen in the forest

Sport Performance for Riders and Teams

Helping riders unlock performance where it matters most — on the trail.

We support elite and developing riders through:

Real-world performance data
Equipment setup and optimisation
Line choice and efficiency analysis
Consistency and progression tracking

From small gains to big breakthroughs, we turn data into actionable performance insights.

Contact Us

Contact our team

SOSE Natural Capital Fund

Proof of Concept funded by:

Edinburgh Napier University

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