Suddenly, within a span of a few years, bicycling has gone
through a revolution. An entirely new type of machine has
appeared and taken over. More than 70 percent of all adult
bicycles sold in the last several years have been mountain bikes.
Companies are constantly refining their bikes to make off-road
cycling easier, which increases the number of mountain bikers
on public trails. Land managers need to be aware of this trend
and be able to accommodate this new form of recreation.
Although mountain biking is gaining in popularity, there
are several different groups who oppose the sport. Environmental groups are concerned that these bikes are ruining already
threatened natural areas. Cyclists leave tracks that erode what
little pristine land there is left.
Road cyclists fear that if funds are allocated to build trails
for mountain bikes, they will be forced off of the roads to ride
these specially designed "bike" trails.
Environmentalists and road bikers are actually the least
threatening to mountain bikers. Other trail users such as hikers,
backpackers and equestrians are ready to wage war against
mountain bikers. And in several cases, they are winning. Trails
throughout the country are being closed to mountain bikers.
Hikers and backpackers move at a slower pace to explore
nature. They enjoy peace and quiet. Therefore, any unnatural
object may hinder their experienceand an object that moves as
fast as a mountain bike can only make it worse.
Equestrians, of course, are concerned that bikers will scare
their horses and take away from their outdoor experience.
Everyone has the right to enjoy public parks, including
mountain bikers. But there is obvious user conflict. However,
these problems are manageable.
We need to return to multiple use management. This is not
a new concept for land managers. In 1965, the National Forest
Service predicted "a greater competition for space and resources
among recreationists with the development of new equipment."
They warned that "managers should be prepared to place new
emphasis on multiple use management." Land managers have
to find a way to accommodate this form of recreation. And all
user groups have to be educated.
Education can help prevent user conflict and environmental damage. Conflict most often occurs when trail users are
surprised by the presence of different types of trail users. Multipurpose trail signs should be posted at every trailhead. The
Bicycle Federation of America recommends the following methods to educate users:
park sponsored educational programs or interpretive
rides;
signs and trailhead bulletin boards;
informational brochures and trail maps;
trail patrols;
school sponsored educational programs;
retailer sponsored educational programs, clinics and
brochures;
responsible advertising;
ski-area mountain bike schools;
clinics for youth leaders;
community programs (park districts, YMCA, YWCA);
bicycle club newsletters;
search and rescue fliers;
public service announcements.
Every user group needs to be educated about trail etiquette
and other groups sharing the trails. Everyone should use trails
with some sense of responsibility for their actions and the
environment.
One of the reasons that so many people are opposed to
mountain biking is irresponsible riders. Mountain bikers need
to be aware that "responsible" riding includes yielding the right
of way to other users, exhibiting care for the land, and staying on
the trail. Bikers have to be sensitive to the needs of other users.
It is a shame that a few reckless bikers can ruin the trail
experience for everyone. Unfortunately, bikers are getting a bad
rap because of those few who do not practice trail etiquette.
There have been complaints about the kind of advertising
that some companies are using for mountain bikes. These
advertisers show bikers blazing through trails at unbelievable
speeds while tearing up the trails. This gives the general public
the wrong impression of what mountain biking is all about.
Advertisers should portray a positive image for mountain biking.
Mountain biking does not cause significant environmental
damage to trails under normal conditions. It is not fair to assume
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that because erosion exists on a trail where mountain biking
occurs, that it is the bike that caused it. All trail users contribute
to erosion and all responsible users minimize their impact. It is
fair to assume that the increased erosion on trails is partly due to
the increase of trail users, regardless of the form of recreation.
Mountain bikes do impact a trail. However, the impact is site
specific and can be mitigated as long as mountain bikers stay on
the trails. This impact should be compared to the impacts of all
other user groups. As the Bicycle Federation of America
recommends, observed environmental impacts are manageable
through:
improving water bars (or developing alternatives to
them);
improving soil resistance;
preventing cross-cutting of switchbacks by erecting
fencing or barricades;
increasing maintenance of trailhead;
repairing moderate erosional damage as it occurs;
closing the trail after rains or during spring thaws;
limiting the number of users during certain periods;
posting "walk bike" signs in environmentally sensitive
areas.
As long as mountain bikers are responsible, stay on the
trails that are designated for their use, and follow any rules that
are set forth, the environmental impact of mountain biking
should be minimal.
Land managers should consider the advantages of trails for
mountain bikes. There can be great economical benefits from
these bikers. The communities and local businesses stand to gain
from equipment sales and tourism. The new trend of having
mountain bike festivals sponsored by local recreation agencies is
spreading throughout the country.
Backpacker magazine's executive editor, John Viehman,
writes, "When operated responsibly, mountain bikes are a
legitimate mode of outdoor recreation. And if our non-wilderness public land, and subsequently our public trails, exist to
provide recreational opportunities, then the question is one of
managing that recreational use, not whether one should have a
right to be there." Closing trails to mountain bikes should not
be an option. Land managers are in the business of providing
recreation opportunities, not denying them. All groups have to
work together to find a way for everyone to enjoy their particular
form of outdoor recreation. Good relations between trail users
is imperative because these people need to work together to keep
open lands available for recreational use. Everyone is leery of
change at first, but mountain biking is the newest trend in
recreational activities. And the sport is growing. We have to
make room for the "new kids" on the trails.
Source: Kit Keller, J.D., Bicycle Federation of America,
Inc., Mountain Bikes on Public Lands: A Manager's Guide to
the State of Practice. September 1990.
About the Author
Rebecca Jenkins graduated with a B.S. in recreation
administration from Eastern Illinois University and is pursuing
a Masters Degree in environmental education from Sangamon
State University.
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