The Emergence of “Fat Bikes” in the USA: Trends, Potential Consequences and Management Implications

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title

Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Publication Date

5-9-2020

Volume

15

First Page

20

Last Page

25

Abstract

In the USA, sales and use of “fat bikes” (bicycles with 75–120 mm-wide tires) have increased dramatically in the past five years. These bikes are designed to open new terrain to cyclists, including snow-covered trails and softer ground surfaces impossible to ride with a standard mountain bike. In this paper, we discuss the extent and possible trends of fat bike use, potential impacts, conflicts and land management approaches. Our preliminary information gathering suggests that fat bikes are used equally on footpaths and snow trails and that riders rarely stray from established trails. Because snow riding represents a new use for bikes we focus on that aspect. Fat biking on snow is likely to have limited environmental impacts due to use on typically frozen ground with the greatest ecological effects most likely to occur during ‘shoulder season’ use when riding may damage muddy trails. From a visitor experience perspective, conflicts among winter users appear to be common, with cyclists reporting issues with both cross country skiers and snowmobilers. One rapidly developing approach for mitigating these conflicts is the development of maintained winter trails specifically for fat bikes. In the USA, state managed lands are leading the way with trail designation and management while Federal lands remain more restrictive. With proper management, winter fat biking offers an opportunity to increase low-season use of public lands for a healthy pursuit with potentially low environmental impact and positive economic impacts. Management implications: •Fat bikes—specialty mountain bikes with very wide tires and other modifications—have gained substantially in popularity over the last five years. These bikes open new terrain for cyclists, particularly winter snow trails. •As riders explore new terrain, or ride in areas maintained for other types of winter recreation, management concerns have emerged including ecological impacts, conflict with other recreationists, trail safety, and increased trail maintenance costs. •Many areas in the USA are actively perusing solutions to the above issues. Although little data exist, spatial and/or temporal separation of riders and other uses appears to be a particularly effective solution for many issues.

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