As has been stated throughout the report, are many aspects of mountain biking in the Highland region and beyond which may necessitate further research in order to adequately assess their potential. 8.1 Grassroots Activity While the existing study has produced data on the activities of mountain bikers in local, ‘secret’ locations, there is insufficient understanding of how these crucial melting pots for interest and skills development actually work. The informal, often clandestine, nature of the trail builder’s activities means that such places can be hard to find, and the participants elusive. These developments are largely unauthorised by landowners and can result with constructed play parks, jumps and trails destroyed or access to the trails being obstructed. It can very hard to establish whether the trails are developed in appropriate locations due to a lack of communication between mountain bikers and landowners and vice-versa. Yet such grassroots activity is arguably the lifeblood of the sport, particularly in terms of newcomers and later for high level performance. Some grassroots activity has been formalised as pump tracks and jump parks, and these have a valuable role to play in the development of mountain biking practice in the region. Yet little is known about how such places and activities translate into committed mountain bike activity later in life. Positive evidence of this would help to see funds attracted for such developments as part of sporting, health and wellbeing and tourism excellence initiatives. 8.2 Landowner/Trailbuilder Liability/Trail Maintenance Allied to the issue of unofficial trail building, alluded to above, and indeed to the issues of signposting and trail maintenance, is the unresolved one of landowner liability. Further research is required into the legal status of landowners and trail builders. Indeed, it may be that there is a requirement for lobbying from key stakeholder groups in pursuit of a clear statement on policy regarding protection for those who allow their land to be used for leisure purposes which have a significant contribution to make to an area’s sustainability, and yet may be confronted with claims for compensation as a result of these activities. Allied to this point, the burden of trail maintenance often falls to those who do not directly benefit financially from the activities. Thus, detailed research into the
As has been stated throughout the report, are many aspects of mountain biking in the Highland region and beyond which may necessitate further research in order to adequately assess their potential. 8.1 Grassroots Activity While the existing study has produced data on the activities of mountain bikers in local, ‘secret’ locations, there is insufficient understanding of how these crucial melting pots for interest and skills development actually work. The informal, often clandestine, nature of the trail builder’s activities means that such places can be hard to find, and the participants elusive. These developments are largely unauthorised by landowners and can result with constructed play parks, jumps and trails destroyed or access to the trails being obstructed. It can very hard to establish whether the trails are developed in appropriate locations due to a lack of communication between mountain bikers and landowners and vice-versa. Yet such grassroots activity is arguably the lifeblood of the sport, particularly in terms of newcomers and later for high level performance. Some grassroots activity has been formalised as pump tracks and jump parks, and these have a valuable role to play in the development of mountain biking practice in the region. Yet little is known about how such places and activities translate into committed mountain bike activity later in life. Positive evidence of this would help to see funds attracted for such developments as part of sporting, health and wellbeing and tourism excellence initiatives. 8.2 Landowner/Trailbuilder Liability/Trail Maintenance Allied to the issue of unofficial trail building, alluded to above, and indeed to the issues of signposting and trail maintenance, is the unresolved one of landowner liability. Further research is required into the legal status of landowners and trail builders. Indeed, it may be that there is a requirement for lobbying from key stakeholder groups in pursuit of a clear statement on policy regarding protection for those who allow their land to be used for leisure purposes which have a significant contribution to make to an area’s sustainability, and yet may be confronted with claims for compensation as a result of these activities. Allied to this point, the burden of trail maintenance often falls to those who do not directly benefit financially from the activities. Thus, detailed research into the
UHI_Highland_Cluster_Final_Report.docx