Rethink on forest bike deal after protests

The Forestry Commission had previously announced that the Purple Mountain Bike Centre and Cafe, which has been operating in Dalby Forest, near Pickering, for the past six years, was to be replaced by Eurest and Pace Cycles when the lease ran out at the end of this month.

But the decision led to it being bombarded with complaints, including a petition of more than 1,000 signatures, and a protest bike ride taking place.

Now the Forestry Commission has announced it is reviewing the process used and putting the decision out to tender again.

“In light of concerns raised by some of the potential suppliers bidding for the cycle hire contract at Dalby Forest, the Forestry Commission has reviewed the tender process it used,” a spokesman said in a statement issued yesterday.

“So that the companies competing have confidence that the assessment is run fairly we have decided not to award the contract. We will run the tender again and issue a new invitation to tender to the same companies that successfully passed the first stage of the process last time.

“These companies may use their original bid or submit a new one.

“The tender documents will be improved to make it absolutely clear that the interviews will be used, along with the paper assessment, to make the final decision.

“We are sorry for the delay and uncertainties caused to our customers and suppliers and hope to have a cycle hire firm in place as soon as we can to build on the great experience cyclists can have in Dalby Forest.”

Purple Mountain has earned rave reviews over the past two years in Dalby after playing its part in the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Championships.