-
Posts
-
-
We need your thoughts on the issues of Mountain bike trails. Should mountain bikes be given more access on singletracks and trails throughout the country? What could be some solutions to the current hike vs. bike debate?
A friend and I are doing a project for school about the the debate over mountain bike trails. We are examining the issue, figuring out the arguements of both sides and ultimately making a short documentary that explores the issue.
Along with understanding the issue, we would like to try to come up with some solutions, and possibly even pitch these ideas to our local public land and trail committees, and our area bike clubs here in Marin.
The two of us, who are relatively new to the wonderful sport of mountain biking, cannot possibly know or discover all the issues on our own, and want to hear the thoughts of the Pinkbike community.
What are your thoughts on the issue? Should mountain bikes be given more access on singletracks and trails throughout the country? What could be some solutions to the current hike vs. bike debate? We want to hear the arguements from both sides, so if you are a hiker or equestrian or know someone who is, please share your thoughts with us. We would love to hear any possible solutions or ideas you may have, or that you have witnessed or heard about in you area.
We would greatly appreciate any help you can give us.
-
Hey guys,
That sounds like a great project.As you may expect since I’m responding on a MTB site, I think there are far too many restrictions on mountain bikes, especially as compared to other user groups. But before I’m accused of taking a pro MTB position just because I’m a mountain biker, I’m not just a mountain biker. I became an avid hiker at age 9, an equestrian at age 16, and didn’t get my first MTB until age 35! I have also been a motorhead, owning motocross/enduro bikes from age 14 – 20. Bottom line, I speak from a broad perspective that includes background in most trail user groups.
Given impact on the trails themselves, MTBs are unfairly excluded relative to other groups and I would love to see MTB restrictions lifted in a number of areas. Crowding alone is not a valid basis for arbitrary restrictions against one user group. Some exceptions to this may include trails that have been traditionally (and continue to be) heavily/primarily used and maintained by the hiker or equestrian communities. Also, some trails, due to their construction, are not very sustainable as bike trails, so this may be a valid basis for continued restrictions.
As for practical solutions, there are a few that have shown some success.
1. The famous and popular Tsali Trails in North Carolina have an alternate day program. Half the trails are open to MTBs and closed to horses on even numbered days and vice versa for the other half. This way, no matter what day you’re there, there’s a good riding option available to you. There’s a few days riding available; if you’re there for two days or more, you will have everything available one day or the other.
2. Some of the trails in the Wasatch Mountains on the east side of Salt Lake City allow MTBs on odd days only. This way, if a hiker is concerned with sharing the trail with mtbs, they can simply go on an even numbered day.
3. The very popular Centennial Cone trail just west of Denver employs a similar evens/odds access plan, but better. It’s not a major destination trail like Tsali so there’s only very heavy traffic on weekends. As such, there are no restrictions on weekdays. MTBs are allowed every other day on weekends.
4. Also near Denver is Apex Park, which had major hiker/biker conflicts. Specifically, one trail was heavily used by downhill bikers who would fly down the trail, fail to yield, and greatly disturb hikers. Jefferson County, who manages the park, made this trail one-way only (uphill) for bikes every other day. That way, hikers can pick a day where they can hike without fear of conflict and bikers still have days they can cruise down the hill. So far, so good.Personally, I’m not sure there should be restrictions of any kind as I have 1. never been disturbed by a biker when hiking or on horseback and 2. never given offense to any hiker or equestrian while mountain biking. However, I understand that many people are disturbed, whether they should be or not. The plans listed above provide an acceptable compromise that may restrict, but still allow mtb access.
Hope this helps. Good luck with your project!
-
"satchscratch" wrote
want to hear the thoughts of the Pinkbike community.
Psssss. Maybe you should have posted this on Pinkbike. 😀
Seriously though, you should get some good thoughts on the issue here. skibum pretty much just wrote your entire script for you…
-
I was riding the Al Sabo trail in Kalamazoo MI and came around a corner and shoulder checked a jogger that was runing toward me. Obvioulsy this was a complete accident, and I would like to say that it wasn’t my fault. However, I’m sure she’s bitching to someone about the incident which could cause some fall out for mountain bikers. I think trails should be kept seperate for hikers and bikers. That way we don’t have to defend ourselves if something does happen because realistically, it’s not us that will get hurt as badly. It only takes a couple people to complain for us to lose precious trails.
-
Biking/hiking shouldn’t be allowed on the same trails at the same time.
It’s happened to me more than once. riding my bike, and come across someonw walking their dog. I slow down, but the dog panics, and ends up with the leach crossed and tangled in my bike.
Also… inevitably, bikers want to go fast. Well… If you’re going fast, it’s hard to avoid the occasional accident with the unexpected hiker. It’s also hard to plan log crossing, and optimum lines when hikers are present.
The park I ride regularly has seperate horse trails, hiking trails, and hiking/biking trails. sometimes it gets pretty crowded, and it makes the ride less fun dodging all the hikers. -
"skibum" wrote
Personally, I’m not sure there should be restrictions of any kind as I have 1. never been disturbed by a biker when hiking or on horseback and 2. never given offense to any hiker or equestrian while mountain biking. However, I understand that many people are disturbed, whether they should be or not. The plans listed above provide an acceptable compromise that may restrict, but still allow mtb access.
Very well put Skibum; glad you are on our side.
The idea of segregated sounds good, but we would lose way too many good trails. You would still have the downhill versus uphill right of way spats even within our own group.
In my area I would guess 95% of the trails are multiuse. We really have very few issues between user groups. I would hate to lose half or 2/3 of that just so that every group can have their own trails. I believe in defensive riding – just like you drive a car. Always expect that there’s a horse or hiker around the next bend. In the words of the great Rodney King, "Can’t we all just get along". 😀
-
"CraigCreekRider" wrote
I believe in defensive riding – just like you drive a car. Always expect that there’s a horse or hiker around the next bend.
Great point! Turn off the iPod and slow down enough that you can see 5 seconds ahead of you on the trail and run-ins with hikers won’t happen nearly as often. That means slowing down a little extra around blind curves, etc.
To the point of losing 2/3 of the trails – that’s not necessarily the case if trail usage alternates from day to day. You’d just lose 2/3 of the days of the week when you can ride a particular trail. Hope you don’t have to work on Wednesdays. 😀
-
According to trail ethics mt bikers yield to hikers and equestrians.
When I lived in New England I used a multi-use trail area. In every group there was a small percentage that made the group look bad. Let it be snow mobiles, x/c skiers, hikers, mt bikers, atv riders, hunters, etc.
Read some articles from the Appalachian Mountain Club about the subject a few years ago. These would be more of a hikers bias.
-
Over the past year in Boise the local trail management starting doing surveys of trail users regarding conflicts, trail restrictions, etc. Some mountain bikers felt the survey questions were biased and saw the survey as a way for trail management to restrict bikes on certain trails. While this may not all be bad for the reasons posted above, some mountain bikers thought that allowing trail managers to restrict bikes on certain trails would just open the door for more restrictions later. This would potentially limit bikes on a handful of trails. Me, well, I never took the survey:)
Most bikers use the lower foothills trails that hikers frequent to access trails higher up. Riding higher level trails means less hikers. Of course, with 110 miles of trails bikers in Boise have this option to avoid hikers. On the other hand, the funnest trail in the foothills is also the one with the most hikers. I ride it during lunch, or just before dusk when hikers will have to be back down on the lower trail to be off by dark.
Personally, I agree with people just being respectful. I don’t want to be banned from any trail. I also probably wouldn’t pay enough attention to notice alternate day or special restrictions.
-
"trek7k" wrote
[quote="CraigCreekRider":2w2nddp2]I believe in defensive riding – just like you drive a car. Always expect that there’s a horse or hiker around the next bend.
[/quote:2w2nddp2]
Great point! Turn off the iPod and slow down enough that you can see 5 seconds ahead of you on the trail and run-ins with hikers won’t happen nearly as often. That means slowing down a little extra around blind curves, etc.
There has to be Hiking trails and then seperate mtbing trails, they just don’t mix.
I am not going to slow down while out riding. I ride to progress as a rider, getting better , faster and stronger. And When I’m out hiking, I don’t want to always be listening for riders. They are two very different activities. That way it’s a non issue from the begining. Everyone has a great day. -
In some areas we have been successful to use alternating days for hiking vs. biking (odd vs even days) or something to this effect. This may work good in areas where conflict might be a concern and open up additional trails for biking.
-
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.