Mountain biking: downhill for the environment or chance to up a gear?
Autor: | Shelley Burgin, Nigel Hardiman |
---|---|
Jazyk: | angličtina |
Rok vydání: | 2013 |
Předmět: |
Nature reserve
Ecology N222 Recreation/Leisure Management Geography Planning and Development Pollution Popularity N800 Tourism Transport and Travel Geography L217 Environmentalism Environmental protection N840 International Tourism Mandate Social conflict Environmental impact assessment Economic impact analysis Computers in Earth Sciences Rural area Waste Management and Disposal Environmental planning Recreation N231 Land Management |
Popis: | The paper examines mountain biking as an increasingly popular adventure recreation activity. Some of its extreme derivatives have been incorporated into international events (e.g. Olympics). We review trends in mountain biking, consider the appropriateness of this activity in public natural areas with a conservation mandate (e.g. national parks, nature reserves) and consider alternative locations. We conclude that (1) mountain biking will continue to increase in popularity; and (2) venues developed in rural areas outside of national parks have provided economic benefits to local communities; but (3) the evidence of social conflict with other users and/or environmental impacts is not clear, mainly because of data limitations. Careful management of natural areas designated for recreation and conservation is required as a precautionary approach. Successful models operate outside of national parks that demonstrate a ‘win–win’ solution for stakeholders. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
Externí odkaz: |