Mountain Biking and the Environment, Part I

Doug Blease is a mountain biker and environmental researcher based in Scotland. He’s a member of IMBA-EU and has served in active trail planning roles with the Aberdeen Trail Association. In this interview, we ask: What does an environmental impact assessment look like when it comes to trail planning? How big of a concern is erosion when it comes to bikes, especially compared to other trail users? How resilient is nature in terms of the ecosystem? Could there be long-term effects due to trail building if it’s not done properly? As individuals, how can we minimize the impact of our rides? How can we balance the tension between creating opportunities to enjoy the environment, with protecting it from damage or overuse? How would you grade the mountain bike industry’s overall eco footprint? If you'd like to contact Doug for advice or to ask a question, email [email protected] and we'll pass your message along. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks *Cover photo: Luis Ascenso Photography from Lisbon, Portugal, via Wikimedia Commons