Science Proves Mountain Biking Is More Harmful Than Hiking

Mike Vandeman wrote:
On Sun, 18 Sep 2005 02:09:48 GMT, Mike Vandeman wrote:

.. . .structure (Stake, 2000). '

This study (actually 2002) was referred to at:

http://www.wildlandscpr.org/database...biblio7.4.html

Bibliography Notes, from The Road RIPorter, Winter Solstice 2002. Volume 7.4

The Ecological Impacts of Mountain Biking
By Jason Lathrop

Many environmentalists and conservation biologists enjoy riding mountain bikes.
Mountain biking is often perceived as a low-impact pursuit, more like hiking,
backpacking, and paddling than motorized four-wheeling or dirt biking. However,
there actually isn't much evidence to support this intuition.

===
I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to
humans ("pure habitat"). Want to help? (I spent the previous 8
years fighting auto dependence and road construction.)

http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande

Strange that you forgot to mention the attached that was also part of
the report... it goes on to say "However, they also found a slightly
greater mobilization of sediment caused by hikers compared to off-road
bicycles, suggesting the pounding action of feet or hooves may have a
more erosive effect than a wheeled form of travel."

full quote:

Wilson and Seney (1994) applied experimental passes to various sites on
an existing trail system in the Gallatin National Forest of Montana and,
simulating rainfall, measured sediment erosion. In the only study that
specifically includes mountain bikes in such comparisons, they found
that horseback riders mobilize more sediment than do mountain bikers,
motorcycles, or hikers. However, they also found a slightly greater
mobilization of sediment caused by hikers compared to off-road bicycles,
suggesting the pounding action of feet or hooves may have a more erosive
effect than a wheeled form of travel.