It's probably worth considering that there's more environmental impact on the countryside by ROW users than just trail erosion.
Also, this is what IMBA have to say. http://imba.org.uk/research-reports/...untain-biking/
It is a user group though, so make of it what you will.
********* I can't believe this is allowed, let alone studied. The poor Eagles.Spahr found that walkers caused the highest frequency of eagle flushing
Why is this though? Is it because they are in areas more likely to be inhabited by eagles, or that they're just dumber.Originally Posted by shaunaneto
********* I can't believe this is allowed, let alone studied. The poor Eagles.
As you are probably aware, it is a criminal offence to disturb a golden eagle, even if done inadvertently. (Don't ask me how that works, but I think it's something along the lines of, if you see a Golden Eagle don't walk towards it. Rather deliberately setting out to cause it harm.)
I can see what they are trying to do, provide a balanced argument, and I don't have a problem with that, and I would say it's difficult to be impartial when you can see hard evidence in your local area of what's happening. I don't dislike mtbers, they're a lot more friendly than most walkers you meet that's for sure.
I have to back up the MTB points around Darwen Tower. In recent years the tracks have been eroded massively. But the mentallity of some of these guys astounds me and the "downhillers" aren't just youngsters.
I was running with a small group a couple of weeks ago on a Wednesday evening at around 7:15. It was a nice night and we were spread out by a couple of minutes at the time. I was 3rd in line and came up a climb called Donkey Brew, which is a steep gravel track that turns to cobbles towards the top. It features in the Tockholes fell Race. At the top of the climb were 3 MTBers who I would guess were 40 - 50 years old. Sat waiting for me to descend at full tilt.
You could argue at least they were waiting and I did confirm that there were 5 others behind me, but after my 5 cleared, their descent would have been reckless to say teh least.
We also have the Billinge Woods area at the back of Witton where they have added some purpose built MTB routes around the summit of the woods. Runners, walkers have been around there for years. Since the MTBer routes were set up, it has been promoted of course and many come to try out the routes in the woods, but they get tempted by more attractive non-routes and you can see videos they have taken racing downhill on sections they aren't supposed to be on.
In the last 2 years, the tracks in the woods have become more churned up, severely rutted, and this means when we get downpours now, it has a greater affect on the erosion of the tracks.
With a few exceptions my only issue with MTB's is behaviour to other users.
Erosion, sometimes I wonder how much of this is due to restricting access. Funnel 100 riders into one path instead of 5-10 paths.
As an owner of mudclaws I'm hardly innocent. Those things chew the hills up like little else.
This is exactly it and why a change to a motorised/non-motorised distinction is the solution. It would also mean that MTB'ers and walkers would encounter each other more, expect to encounter each other and develop more respect and understanding.
Gets my vote. Motorised / non motorised is so simple and unambiguous. Everybody else just needs to learn to get along. Mountain bikers moan about walkers. Walkers moan about mountain bikers sneaking up behind them and making them jump (I'm sure I'm not the only one that has also done this when out running :wink. But like many other areas of life most people are reasonable and considerate, the real idiots are unlikely to take much notice of the existing laws in any case.
But so is using your own two feet vs any kind of mechanical aid, your just picking the dividing line to support your argument. And yes I do own a mountain bike and ride it where permitted to do so.
okay, so where do horses fit in and would you be happy with 4x4's, quad bikes and trail bikes on bridleways?
Horses? On a bridle way? Whatever next!
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