TRAIL SECTOR STAKEHOLDER & RIDER SURVEY

TRAIL (BUILDING) SECTOR STAKEHOLDER SURVEY REPORT – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The mountain bike trail sector survey forms part of the “Developing Intereuropean Resources for Trail builder Training (DIRTT)” project, funded under the ERASMUS+ programme, which aims to develop an educational framework and professional training programme for the mountain bike trail sector. In total, 121 survey respondents from 16 different European countries provided data suitable for inclusion in this report.

The main findings of this report are that there is clear demand within the mountain bike trail sector for certified training, and that particular priority is based on the construction and maintenance sectors. Key themes for training requirements included but were not limited to sustainability, safety, drainage, and documentation.

BRIEF OUTLINE OF METHODOLOGY

The survey was developed to identify the priority areas for training in respect of the design, planning, construction, maintenance, and management of sustainable mountain bike trails. A mixed-methods approach was adopted which combined a quantitative needs analysis with qualitative questions to test the assumptions upon which the needs analysis was predicated.

The skills and competencies addressed within the quantitative questions were derived from existing guidelines and frameworks, and from the expertise of all partner organisations. The survey was created and delivered using Qualtrics software and made available in both English and Portuguese. Responses to qualitative questions were exported to NVivo 12 (QRS International) for thematic analysis.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

In summary, the results of this survey show that there is a clear demand for certified training in the mountain bike trail building sector. A majority of stakeholders indicated that sufficient
training is not currently available to meet the needs of their organisation, and that introducing certified training in the sector would increase the quality and sustainability of mountain bike
trails. As a result, a majority of stakeholders also indicated that they would be likely to prioritise training which leads to certification within the sector.

When considering cross sector working, stakeholders reported a feeling of insufficient common understanding of the process of trail construction and maintenance, again noting that guidelines in relation to these topics would benefit the trail sector. These findings are echoed throughout the following training needs analysis, where construction and maintenance topics were consistently highlighted as priority areas for training. Indeed, both professional and voluntary respondents felt sufficiently competent in only 3 of 28 skills falling under construction and maintenance. Full details of these topics are available in the training needs analysis section on page X, though the results suggest that all topics encompassed here should be a key area of focus for training. This finding was once again supported by results of the qualitative analysis where maintenance was the most referenced theme, followed by sustainability. Drainage and soils appear to be of particular importance, each referenced 29 specifically 10 times. Respondents reported insufficient perceived ability in topics relating to sustainability and environmental considerations across planning, design, and construction, again highlighting a particular demand for training in these areas throughout the trail building process. Planning training needs analysis returned the highest level of perceived competency,

however master planning and design development became recurring themes for training need in both professional and voluntary roles within the sector. Safety and risk management techniques were both highlighted as key areas for training in both training needs analysis and qualitative reporting, with safety referenced 15 times and risk management techniques ranking as the highest priority training need during the design phase. Documentation and legislation topics followed a similar pattern with 8 references of the documentation and approvals theme from the qualitative results. This is supported by large training needs values reported across all five topics relating to legislation and documentation throughout design, construction and maintenance, highlighting the
requirement for appropriate training in these areas. Volunteer respondents largely reported similar training need topics, but with larger training needs values than professional counterparts. While not entirely surprising, this highlights the need for education of voluntary workers in the sector to ensure consistent quality across the board. It should also be noted that management was referenced 10 times by respondents, suggesting that professional trail builders may benefit from management training to aid coordination of staff, both voluntary and professional.

In conclusion, there is a strong demand for certified training in the mountain bike trail building sector that is not currently available in order to increase the quality and sustainability of mountain bike trails. There are a wide range of training needs across all stages of trail building reported, with construction and maintenance topics highlighted as the highest priority for training needs.

RIDER SURVEY REPORT – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The mountain bike trail user survey forms part of the “Developing Intereuropean Resources for Trail builder Training (DIRTT)” project, funded under the ERASMUS+ programme, which aims to
develop an educational framework and professional training programme for the mountain bike trail sector. In total, 4324 survey respondents (gender: 21% female, 78% male, 0.1% transgender, 0.1% other; age: 16-18yrs = 3%, 19-25yrs = 7%, 26-35 years = 26%, 36-45yrs = 33%, 46-55yrs = 23%, >55yrs = 8%) from 28 different European countries provided data suitable for inclusion in this report. The main findings of this report are that most mountain bikers ride easier single track trails or more difficult single track trails, with connection to nature, descents, optional/multiple lines, and surface quality being ranked consistently high among all trail types. Mountain bikers also feel connected to nature and would like to protect nature with many putting environmental concern above trail quality in most areas. However, this is not always reflected in the actions or expectations of respondents where some education may be required to align their intentions with their actions. Lastly, many riders recognise the importance of voluntary trail maintenance, and further that those who are not able or willing to volunteer would be willing to pay for trail maintenance and construction.

BRIEF OUTLINE OF METHODOLOGY

The survey was developed to identify the priority areas of motivation and behaviour, trail user objectives and preferences, and trail sustainability. The behaviours and motivations, end user objectives and trail sustainability topics addressed within the quantitative questions were derived from existing guidelines and frameworks, and from the expertise of all partner organisations. The survey was created and delivered using Qualtrics software and made available in Italian, German, English, French, and Portuguese. The survey was distributed using online platforms only. Recruitment was not possible in person due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Accordingly, the survey is likely to only have reached those already engaged with mountain biking to some degree, thus excluding a majority of beginner riders. The effect of this methodology is detailed further in the results and summary.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

The main aim of this report was to support the trail building stakeholder survey by detailing the demands of the end user (the mountain bike rider) with particular regard to trail characteristics from both an enjoyment and environmental sustainability perspective. The main findings of quantitative analysis showed that many riders value connection to nature as a main motivation to ride and consequently that they value the creation of environmentally sustainable trails. In terms of facilities, riding purpose-built mountain bike trails is important to most riders. Easier single track and more difficult trails are the most frequently ridden trail types, followed by flowy trails, forest roads and lastly by very difficult trails. Forest roads are ridden almost exclusively to access other trails, and as trail difficulty increases users are less likely to use it to access other trails and instead ride it because it suits their skill level and/or it is their preference. Though perhaps obvious, this shows that when planning a trail network, it is important to ensure that trails of the lowest technical difficulty can be actually accessed by those with the lowest technical difficulty.

When asked about desirable trail qualities, descents, optional/multiple lines and surface quality were ranked very highly throughout. Notable difference of opinion arose around signposting and directions on all types of trail, an area which may require further investigation. Almost all riders would like to progress, yet only 37% of riders feel like they can access facilities which would allow them to progress. This suggests a demand for trails which offer optional lines for harder features, low risk but high technicality – further supported by finding that ‘risk’ is not a popular motivation to ride. Fall zones also appear to be desirable to many of those wishing to progress, but this finding is not reciprocated in those that have already progressed. This suggests that fall zones may offer a false sense of security in the eyes of more experienced riders, though this should not detract from the potential of fall zones to reduce the extent of potential injury.

Throughout all trail types, connection to nature remains an important or very important quality for a majority of users. This is further supported by a majority of riders feeling personally connected to their mountain bike trails, though a lesser proportion report feeling ownership of their local trails. Almost all users report a desire to protect nature, with many having taken direct action to protect nature when out riding and many reporting that their use of and access to trails has increased their appreciation of nature. Although 29% of respondents report only caring about how good a trail is to ride, 25% also report not understanding what makes a trail sustainable, perhaps highlighting requirement of some rider education regarding what environmental sustainability consists of in practice. Indeed, good intention among respondents is indicated with 96% of respondents claiming that environmental sustainability of trails is of importance to them. In a practical application, it appears that mountain bikers will support trails constructed or altered to meet environmental constraints provided a suitable explanation or rationale is provided.

A similar theme emerges regarding trail access, where the respondents to this survey indicated that their first choice for trail access is purpose-built mountain bike tracks and shared use of other recreational trails. However, 57% of riders are also aware that they have ridden illegal trails at some point in time and a further 16% of riders did not know that riding in some areas could be illegal. Many reported riding illegal trails because they do not feel there are enough legal trails in their area, they do not see the harm if ridden at times when conflict is unlikely, and/or because most legal trails are not very attractive for mountain bikers. Conflicts with other users or officials are reported more frequently than receiving a fine when riding illegal trails, perhaps meaning that no tangible deterrent is provided for many users of illegal trails. This suggests that the end user experience of legal trails is exceeded by the end user experience of illegal trails in some areas, though it is not clear if riders have considered the potential negative effect on the environment their actions may have. This further strengthens the case for improved legal trail facilities, further highlights the
requirement to educate riders on the environmental consequences of their actions may also advocate an investigation to the environmental sustainability of illegal trails.

Despite a large majority (92%) of mountain bikers suggesting that it is important for mountain bikers to volunteer to maintain their own trails, 37% indicated that they had not volunteered for trail work at any point, with 33% suggesting they do not have the time. Taken together, these findings suggest mountain bikers show a desire to protect nature and a willingness to undertake the work themselves, but that for many, time constraints prevent themselves from doing so. A potential solution is offered whereby 77% of riders suggest they are willing to pay towards new trail developments and that 73% are willing to pay for trail maintenance, again suggesting that those that cannot donate their time may be willing to make financial contribution to trail construction and maintenance. The results of this survey should, however, be interpreted with caution due to the inherent bias within the sample provided. As survey distribution was limited to online only due to the
global coronavirus pandemic and concurrent social distancing rules, it is likely that the online platforms used to share the survey were more likely to be frequented by those already involved in mountain biking to some degree. This is highlighted by the tendency for respondents to have been involved in mountain biking for more than ten years and further that many of these respondents compete to some degree. As such, these demographics are not likely to be representative of the entire mountain biking population and certainly leave the beginner population underrepresented within the current findings.

As the majority of respondents are those already engaged with distribution platforms such as their relevant national governing body, it also goes some way to explain the abnormally high percentage of those indicating completion of voluntary trail work. Lastly, while perhaps beyond the scope of the current project, the clear gender imbalance presented here highlights the case for further development of gender equality and diversity within mountain biking. Overall, this report shows that most mountain bikers feel connected to nature and would like to protect nature with many putting environmental concern above trail quality in most areas. However, this is not always reflected in the actions or expectations of respondents where some education may be required to align their intentions with their actions. Lastly, many riders recognise the importance of voluntary trail maintenance, and further that those who are not able or willing to volunteer would be willing to pay for trail maintenance and construction.