Mountain Biking Questionnaire

Hi, ladies! A friend is in a natural resource program at university and sent me the following questions to prepare for a presentation she needs to do on Sunday. If you have a chance, please answer the quetions below....(I'm interested to see your answers, too) Yes, I will post my answers when I go through the questions later today or tonight....:D

THANK YOU!!

~T~

I have a few questions listed below about your view on mountain biking (my presentation is supposed to represent the "mountain bikers' perspective on biking in BC's grasslands"). I won't be quoting anyone, I just need to have gotten some feedback from people who bike before I present. I would really appreciate your help. Though the focus is on grasslands, it is just as helpful for me if you draw on any mtn biking experiences you may have had. And feel free to add any other comments regarding multiple use on areas that mountain bikers access if you wish! Otherwise, they are pretty short answer type questions.

Thanks!



1) What type of trails do you prefer to ride? (x-country...downhill...lift-access resort stuff...shuttles only...singletrack only...)



2) Of those listed below, what three factors are most important for you in deciding which trails to ride?

a) close to home / ease of access

b) good stunts

c) dirt jumps

d) fast downhill

e) technical downhill

f) nice scenery

g) where you could see wildlife

h) its where everyone else is riding

i) its where nobody else is riding

j) trails well-maintained

k) "off-trail" experience (e.g. making own trail through grasslands)

l) "this trail is closed" signs (might as well be a challenge!)

m) other (please explain)

n) other (please explain)

o) other (please explain)







3) Have you ridden trails through or on private property? Have you ever had any conflicts with landowners and how did you handle this?







4) Have you ever encountered cattle while mountain biking? How did you handle this?







5) Do you think ranchers should be required to have gates/steps over fences on public grazing land that is also used for mountain biking?







6) Would you be willing to stop riding your favorite trail if you knew that your activity was causing an endangered species to decrease in numbers?







7) Are you familiar with invasive and noxious weeds that could be spread by mountain biking activity?







8) Recently on a popular trail in Kamloops that cuts across a biker-friendly rancher's property, a barbed wire fence was cut through where most bikers stop to lift their bikes over. Do you:

a) agree strongly

b) agree somewhat

c) niether agree nor disagree

d) disagree somewhat

e) disagree strongly

with the decision of whoever cut the fence?



If it had been your friend who cut the fence and they did it because they got a flat tire when they lifted their bike over it the last time you rode the trail, would that change your view of their decision?

I have a few questions listed below about your view on mountain biking (my presentation is supposed to represent the "mountain bikers' perspective on biking in BC's grasslands"). I won't be quoting anyone, I just need to have gotten some feedback from people who bike before I present. I would really appreciate your help. Though the focus is on grasslands, it is just as helpful for me if you draw on any mtn biking experiences you may have had. And feel free to add any other comments regarding multiple use on areas that mountain bikers access if you wish! Otherwise, they are pretty short answer type questions.

Thanks!



1) What type of trails do you prefer to ride? (x-country...downhill...lift-access resort stuff...shuttles only...singletrack only...)
single/double track; x-country


2) Of those listed below, what three factors are most important for you in deciding which trails to ride?

a) close to home / ease of access

b) good stunts

c) dirt jumps

d) fast downhill

e) technical downhill

f) nice scenery

g) where you could see wildlife

h) its where everyone else is riding

i) its where nobody else is riding

j) trails well-maintained

k) "off-trail" experience (e.g. making own trail through grasslands)

l) "this trail is closed" signs (might as well be a challenge!)

m) other (please explain)
Challenging terrain, with multiple trail-type choices

n) other (please explain)

o) other (please explain)







3) Have you ridden trails through or on private property? Have you ever had any conflicts with landowners and how did you handle this?
Yes. Most of our trails are on private property and some are on old roads that have since been allowed to revert. Most of the time, any conflicts are just misunderstandings and are addressed through face to face conversations. Other conflicts are people using trails that are marked closed and in that case, the only thing that we could do is apologize for those people who disrespected the landowner wishes and do our best to educate mtn bikers in our area.



4) Have you ever encountered cattle while mountain biking? How did you handle this?
Many time - both cattle and horses. With cattle, we try to move quickly away from the herd so that they are not frightened, but most of them are used to bikes and there is no issue. With horses, we always make it a point to talk to the horse and rider, asking the rider if they would prefer we walk our bikes by the horse. Horses usually respond to our voices and are calmed as long as we are talking to them.



5) Do you think ranchers should be required to have gates/steps over fences on public grazing land that is also used for mountain biking?
Yes - if it is public land, then there should be access. However, it might be beneficial for the biking communities to step up and offer to provide ingress and egress in areas that are used frequently by bikers.



6) Would you be willing to stop riding your favorite trail if you knew that your activity was causing an endangered species to decrease in numbers?

Absolutely.





7) Are you familiar with invasive and noxious weeds that could be spread by mountain biking activity?

Yes. We are careful to clean our bikes if we are traveling to different states or areas. However, driving, hiking, riding horses, etc., pose the same issues.



8) Recently on a popular trail in Kamloops that cuts across a biker-friendly rancher's property, a barbed wire fence was cut through where most bikers stop to lift their bikes over. Do you:

a) agree strongly

b) agree somewhat

c) niether agree nor disagree

d) disagree somewhat

e) disagree strongly

with the decision of whoever cut the fence?



If it had been your friend who cut the fence and they did it because they got a flat tire when they lifted their bike over it the last time you rode the trail, would that change your view of their decision?

No. The owner's property should be respected. If it was an issue and the property owner was really bike friendly, then this person should have approached the landowner and asked if it would be alright if a modification to the fence were made. People who do things like this jeopardize trails, they don't protect them.

1) What type of trails do you prefer to ride? (x-country...downhill...lift-access resort stuff...shuttles only...singletrack only...)

I ride and race most everything. While I do ride/race down (and up) ski hills, I'm not a downhiller.


2) Of those listed below, what three factors are most important for you in deciding which trails to ride?

e) technical downhill

j) trails well-maintained

o) other (please explain)
I like riding technical singletrack in general...especially when it is a well built trail. Tight twists, turns, uphill/downhill switchbacks, logs, rocks, roots are desirable.

3) Have you ridden trails through or on private property? Have you ever had any conflicts with landowners and how did you handle this?

I have ridden and raced on trails that are on private property. No conflicts because permission was given to do so.

4) Have you ever encountered cattle while mountain biking? How did you handle this?

No.

5) Do you think ranchers should be required to have gates/steps over fences on public grazing land that is also used for mountain biking?

I'm not sure....it's not a problem that I've encountered.

6) Would you be willing to stop riding your favorite trail if you knew that your activity was causing an endangered species to decrease in numbers?

Yes

7) Are you familiar with invasive and noxious weeds that could be spread by mountain biking activity?

Yes, but we see this with every activity....boating, snowmobiling, horseback riding etc. Our society isn't really that conservation minded nor do many people really care about the environment in general. And while I don't really want to get political about it, our politicians and government don't really seem to put much emphasis on the environment either. So, it all comes down to an individual understanding of the situation and caring enough to do something about it.

8) Recently on a popular trail in Kamloops that cuts across a biker-friendly rancher's property, a barbed wire fence was cut through where most bikers stop to lift their bikes over. Do you


e) disagree strongly

with the decision of whoever cut the fence?



If it had been your friend who cut the fence and they did it because they got a flat tire when they lifted their bike over it the last time you rode the trail, would that change your view of their decision?

No.

1) What type of trails do you prefer to ride? (x-country...downhill...lift-access resort stuff...shuttles only...singletrack only...)
Singletrack, cross-country.
2) Of those listed below, what three factors are most important for you in deciding which trails to ride?
a) close to home / ease of access
f) nice scenery
j) trails well-maintained
3) Have you ridden trails through or on private property? Have you ever had any conflicts with landowners and how did you handle this?
Yes. No conflicts - have always requested permission and respected their decision.
4) Have you ever encountered cattle while mountain biking? How did you handle this?
No.
5) Do you think ranchers should be required to have gates/steps over fences on public grazing land that is also used for mountain biking?
I'm not sure about this one. I don't know enough about public grazing land rules to decide.
6) Would you be willing to stop riding your favorite trail if you knew that your activity was causing an endangered species to decrease in numbers?
Yes.
7) Are you familiar with invasive and noxious weeds that could be spread by mountain biking activity?
Yes, for my area.
8) Recently on a popular trail in Kamloops that cuts across a biker-friendly rancher's property, a barbed wire fence was cut through where most bikers stop to lift their bikes over. Do you:
e) disagree strongly
with the decision of whoever cut the fence?
If it had been your friend who cut the fence and they did it because they got a flat tire when they lifted their bike over it the last time you rode the trail, would that change your view of their decision?
NO! If there is a problem, there should be a discussion with the landowner. At no time should property be damaged because of inconvenience! Additionally, this behavior puts livestock at risk (they could escape and be injured).

1. X-country
2. f,ja
3. No
4. NO
5. yes
6. yes
7. no
8. e.

9. no

1) What type of trails do you prefer to ride? (x-country...downhill...lift-access resort stuff...shuttles only...singletrack only...)
Xc single track


2) Of those listed below, what three factors are most important for you in deciding which trails to ride?

a) close to home / ease of access
f) nice scenery
g) where you could see wildlife
i) its where nobody else is riding
j) trails well-maintained
k) "off-trail" experience (e.g. making own trail through grasslands)

3) Have you ridden trails through or on private property? Have you ever had any conflicts with landowners and how did you handle this?

Yes, and the access was previously arranged. no problems

4) Have you ever encountered cattle while mountain biking? How did you handle this?
no!


5) Do you think ranchers should be required to have gates/steps over fences on public grazing land that is also used for mountain biking?







6) Would you be willing to stop riding your favorite trail if you knew that your activity was causing an endangered species to decrease in numbers?

Yes, but likely this is completely inaccurate and untried







7) Are you familiar with invasive and noxious weeds that could be spread by mountain biking activity?

ANY activity through a trail can cause spreading of something or another. no activity is SAFE for the environment. if you don't want something touched then ALL activitiy including hiking, horse back riding etc should be stopped. mtb should NOT be singled out. it has a bad rep because of the typical ads and media hype. many studies have shown this.




8) Recently on a popular trail in Kamloops that cuts across a biker-friendly rancher's property, a barbed wire fence was cut through where most bikers stop to lift their bikes over. Do you:

e) disagree strongly
with the decision of whoever cut the fence?



If it had been your friend who cut the fence and they did it because they got a flat tire when they lifted their bike over it the last time you rode the trail, would that change your view of their decision?[/QUOTE]

NO!

access to use lands is something that should be respected and if there are gates, or anything as part of the deal then riders and users should respect that. access to private lands is NOT A RIGHT but a priviledge that the land owner has granted and as i have said should be respected.

1) What type of trails do you prefer to ride? (x-country...downhill...lift-access resort stuff...shuttles only...singletrack only...)

I prefer a combination of factors - A perfect trail to me has some fire road, climb, downhill and singletrack. Not flat and boring but not overly technical.

2) Of those listed below, what three factors are most important for you in deciding which trails to ride?

ease of access/close to home, nice scenary and potential wildlife sightings.

I would never go "off trail" and create new trail , at least where I live. It is potentially hazardous to wildlife and native plants and just not right. I am fortunate to have access to private trails so I do at times enjoy the fact I am (with my friens) the only user but I aslo lke to do some trails where I can meet up and socialize with other riders. Depends on the mood. I don't need a trail to be particularly "well groomed" ruts, sand and tree roots can be fun "hazards."

3) Have you ridden trails through or on private property? Have you ever had any conflicts with landowners and how did you handle this?

Never without authority or permission. Even with permission, I have to deal with authority. I explain who I am and why I am there. I would never argue with the law. As docent, I run across trespassers all the time. Some are cool some get testy. I just explain the situation, call the authorities and allow them to handle the problem


4) Have you ever encountered cattle while mountain biking? How did you handle this?

Yes. I usually turn around and go back. Cows look sweet but can be mean!


5) Do you think ranchers should be required to have gates/steps over fences on public grazing land that is also used for mountain biking?

Unclear as to the purpose. Would this prevent cattle from leaving the area? Then yes.


6) Would you be willing to stop riding your favorite trail if you knew that your activity was causing an endangered species to decrease in numbers?

Yes.


7) Are you familiar with invasive and noxious weeds that could be spread by mountain biking activity?


Yes. I have done enough trail maintenance and know English Thistle and Mustard is easily spread by mountain bikers and others. It's a problem.

8) Recently on a popular trail in Kamloops that cuts across a biker-friendly rancher's property, a barbed wire fence was cut through where most bikers stop to lift their bikes over. Do you:

a) agree strongly

b) agree somewhat

c) niether agree nor disagree

d) disagree somewhat

e) disagree strongly

with the decision of whoever cut the fence? No I don't - it should not be cut.



If it had been your friend who cut the fence and they did it because they got a flat tire when they lifted their bike over it the last time you rode the trail, would that change your view of their decision?

No.