In recent weeks, the proposal of the president of the CAI Veneto has been the subject of discussion, which would like exclude mountain bikes and e-bikes from mountain trails, limiting their use to dirt roads and dirt tracks. This stance stems from the belief that bicycles ruin trails and pose a safety risk to mountaineers.
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However, this is a complex issue that deserves to be addressed carefully and with a broader perspective than that of a single association.
Not just CAI: the mountains belong to everyone
Trail management can't depend solely on the CAI. Many organizations operate in the mountains today: hiking associations, volunteer groups, mountain bike teams, and others who organize trail running racesDifferent realities that often actively collaborate in the maintenance of the routes and that have demonstrated how it is possible to find mediations and forms of coexistence.
It is right to discuss regulation, especially during periods of greatest influx, but from here to imagining a general ban on mountain bikes there is a lot of distance.
Culture and safety
There is a cultural aspect that should not be overlooked: MTB was born on single-track, narrow and technical paths are part of its DNA. Proposing to ban them means, in fact, not knowing the phenomenon that one wants to regulate.
The safety issue also needs to be reconsidered: forcing all bicycles to ride only on dirt roads would mean increasing average speeds (up to 30 km/h without realizing it), resulting in greater difficulty in reacting and longer stopping distances. On mountain trails, on the other hand, nature of the terrain reduces speeds and naturally selects the most expert practitioners, effectively limiting the risks.
Trail wear: who's really responsible?
The most used argument against MTBs is that of thetrail wearIt's true that Anglo-Saxon studies estimate a ratio of about 7 to 1 between cyclists and pedestrians, but this figure varies depending on the type of trail. On fast-flowing and heavily used paths, the number of walkers can have an even greater impact than that of cyclists.
In reality, however, the real enemies of the trails are others: lack of maintenance and atmospheric agentsWater, snow, frost, and animal grazing have a much greater impact than the passage of mountain bikes or pedestrians. Before pointing the finger at just one category, we should have a complete picture and open discussion tables that involve all stakeholders. all the mountain actors.
The real risk for the highlands
There is an even more serious issue: that of depopulation of the highlandsThe projections speak clearly: in the next ten years, many high-altitude villages risk turning into ghost towns, alive only during the holidays.
In this scenario, banning practices such as MTB or e-bike means give up development and job opportunities linked to sustainable tourism and the diversification of offerings in the mountains.
Conclusion
Problems exist and shouldn't be ignored: regulating trail use is necessary, especially during critical periods or where alternative routes are lacking. But considering a complete ban on mountain bikes would mean losing sight of the complexity of the issue.
The challenge is not to exclude anyone, but to build a model of coexistence A project that brings together hikers, bikers, runners, and all those who care about the mountains. Because the real urgency isn't closing the trails, but ensuring there's still a vibrant community ready to care for them.
