Local community perceptions about mountain bike riding in peri-urban national parks

SEBASTIAN ROSSI; CATHERINE PICKERING; JASON BYRNE

Local Community and Outdoor Recreation

Tallinn University

Lugar: Tallinn; Año: 2014; p. 69 - 71

There is growing pressure to allow a greater diversity of recreational activities in some national parks, which often generates controversy (Pickering et al., 2011). Mountain-biking is a good example, as it is increasingly popular - including in many urban and peri-urban parks (Pickering et al., 2011). The appropriateness of mountain biking in some locations is increasingly contested, due to potential social and environmental impacts (Pickering et al., 2011). Perceptions of mountain biking can differ within and among different stakeholders including decision makers, local communities and park visitors (Chavez et al., 1993). A range of studies suggest that conflict can occur among different types of park visitors such as those between hikers and mountain bikers, although this is not always the case (Rossi et al., 2012). However, perceptions of local communities living near national parks, may differ to those of park-visitors, particularly where the potential for conflict results in displacement - with locals avoiding parks (Bentrupperbäumer and Reser, 2008). A survey of local communities living within 5 km of two popular national parks in Australia was conducted to assess residents' perceptions about mountain bike riding, and associated social and environmental impacts.