Mountain Biking and the Environment, Part 2: Wildlife

Douglas Carchrie is a bicycle mechanic, mountain bike guide, and mountain bike trail consultant at Big Mountain Scotland. He has also served as a national park conservation intern and conducted research into mountain biker behavior as a student at the University of Highlands and Islands in Scotland. In this episode, we ask: Do mountain bikers tend to bother animals more than other trail users? What are some of the things mountain bikers have been asked to do to avoid disturbing animals like the threatened Capercaillie bird? Based on your study, do you think most mountain bikers are willing to change their behavior if they understand the impact of their actions? Which methods are most effective when it comes to communicating conservation information to riders? There are a number of tools available to land managers, including enforcement, trail design, and education. Which ones provide the biggest impact in your opinion? Based on your experience as a mountain bike guide and director for Big Mountain Scotland, where are some of the best places to ride in the country? Read more about Carchrie's study here: https://www.bigmountainscotland.co.uk/post/mountain-bikers-awareness-of-capercaillie-in-the-cairngorms-national-park And if you missed part one of our discussion of mountain biking and the environment, be sure to go back and listen to our previous show, episode #279. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks