APPENDIX 1
Summary Table: Mountain Bike Rider Preferences for Recreation Settings and Experiences
Setting/Experience Novice/Beginner/Casual More Experienced Off-Road
Attributes Riders Riders Expert Off-Road
Riders
Preferred features of General preference for
mountain bike riding. appreciating
views/scenery/nature;
(as rated by riders) exploring new areas; and
riding/socialising with
friends.
The attribute of Attributes of Increased preference amongst
exercise/fitness is speed/excitement/risk; expert riders for
particularly important for physical challenge; speed/excitement/risk;
these riders. skill/technical challenge; and skill/technical challenge, and
developing and improving racing/training (latter
skills become more important reflects race-entry sample
for these riders. selection).
Statements of most
preferred riding General preference for
features. undulating routes; forest
(from open-ended settings; smooth/fast/open
question) tracks; good
scenery/viewpoints; and
rides of 2-3 hours.
Prefer gradual/easy Preference for technical Increased preference for
uphills; tracks being difficulty/challenge; technical
smooth/easy/open; tracks down-hills being difficulty/challenge;
being not difficult/few fast/smooth/open and downhills being
obstructions; and rides fast/technical/tight; harder fast/technical/tight; and
1-2 hours duration. uphills; and tight/narrow/winding
tight/narrow/winding single-track.
single-track.
Greatest preference for
Landscape Preferences native forest/bush settings
(least for farmland).
Beginners had least
preference for forestry
(pine) areas.
Track-Type Greater preference for Emphasis shifts to Distinguished by much stronger
Preferences sealed roads, and more less-developed routes, and preference for
tolerant of gravel roads. single-track in particular. single-track.
Much lower preferences for
single-track.
Track Condition and Greater preference for Preference for rougher Similar preferences for
Difficulty tracks which are tracks/more obstacles; and rougher tracks, but less
Preferences smooth/benched/open/clear. rough/uneven/tight/narrow interest in wet conditions and
Much lower preference for tracks. More tolerance for mud. Even more tolerance for
obstructions/difficulties pushing/carrying bikes. pushing/carrying bikes.
on tracks, or for
pushing/carrying bikes.
Strong preference for Preference for Increased preference for
Downhill Attribute slow/gentle/easy fast/rough/technical downhills which are
Preferences downhills. Least preference downhills. Increased fast/rough/tight and
for speed/excitement/risk. preference for slow/steep/more technical, and
speed/excitement/risk. for
speed/excitement/risk.
Uphill Attribute Strong preference for Increased preference for Increased preference for more
Preferences gradual/easy/relaxed uphills with short/hard/steep difficult uphills with
up-hills. sections. Little specific short/hard/steep sections, and
preference for easy uphills. climbs which are
long/hard/steep.
Riders strongly preferred
Social Encounter to avoid motorised
Attribute Preferences vehicles, and walkers (to a
lesser extent). Most are
tolerant of meeting other
riders.
Figure 1. Model for decision making on mountain bike use
of tracks.
