Abstract
Mountain biking, also known as singletracking, is an emerging sector in outdoor recreation activities. Experience shows that although bicycling is considered a low-impact activity, singletracking may have adverse environmental footprints. Here, we review and conceptually analyze the forces applied on singletracks, and implement mathematical modeling of these forces, for a range of climatic conditions and geographic settings. Specifically, we focus on the hydrological and geomorphic impacts of singletracking, and highlight the importance of applying geomorphic principles in their design. Also, we demonstrate specific measures for establishing singletracks on hillslopes and in ephemeral stream channels. We discuss how climate, topography, surface roughness, hydrological connectivity, and pedology determine the processes of water runoff and soil erosion on singletrack trails. Further, we demonstrate how riders’ behavior determines the rate of shearing, wearing, compaction, deformation, and rutting of the singletrack, as well as the expansion of physical damages to the track’s surroundings. These conditions and effects determine the durability of singletracks, with implications for maintenance requirements over time. The specific implications of the emerging sector of electric mountain bikes on singletrack durability are discussed. Insights of this paper will benefit landscape designers and land managers aiming to foster ecotourism and sustainable recreation opportunities.
Highlights
Outdoor recreation, characterized as nature-based tourism, provides essential benefits to individuals, communities, and society, and contributes to sustainability [1]
These and other types of outdoor recreational activities are known as effective means of increasing nature conservation perceptions and attitudes among their participants [1]
Outdoor recreation is included within the framework of cultural ecosystem services, which encompass physical, intellectual, and spiritual interactions with nature
Summary
Outdoor recreation, characterized as nature-based tourism, provides essential benefits to individuals, communities, and society, and contributes to sustainability [1]. The popularity of outdoor recreation and sports has increased tremendously since the mid-20th century [2,3], encompassing a growing branch in national economies These activities include a wide range of sectors, such as hiking, climbing, horse-riding, camping, RVing, etc. Cross-country biking, or singletracking, started evolving in the 1970s and has become increasingly popular since the early 21st century [5], encompassing an emerging sector in outdoor recreational and ecotourism activities [6,7,8] This activity is implemented on trails that feature a wide variety of terrains, as well as routes that consist of uphill, downhill, and flat sections. Judicious use of this knowledge–under any climatic conditions and geographic region–could increase the durability of singletracks and decrease their maintenance costs over time
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