Improving mountain bike trails in Austria: An assessment of trail preferences and benefits from trail features using choice experiments

Over the past two decades, mountain biking has emerged as an increasingly popular recreational activity. However, at least in Austria official trails do not necessarily match the preferences of bikers and therefore they often ride on unofficial trails or on trails where biking is not allowed. This behavior can result in conflicts with other trail users, landowners, hunters and conservationists. With data from an online choice experiment we confirm and extend results from previous studies on mountain biking, such as riders preferring technically challenging trails with lots of singletrack and vertical climb. However, the specific preferences depend on rider characteristics, especially experience and age. Through a simulation of market shares and the calculation of compensating surplus for riders in the study area in forests close to Vienna, we demonstrate how this research can provide insights about how to adjust trails to better match the interests of bikers while still respecting regulations which are in the interests of landowners, hunters and ecological concerns.Management implications●To avoid conflict with other trail users, we propose tailoring trails specifically to the needs of the diverse group of bikers.●For example, trails should have large amounts of technically challenging singletrack, at least on down hill sections.●Trails should vary in their attributes such as vertical climb or length, to fit the preferences of riders with different socio-demographic background and experience.●Multi-use trails for bikers and hikers can be recommended, however, horses on the same trails should be avoided.