New challenges and possibilities of forest use by mountain bikers

Abstract

In the 1980s and 1990s, the number of mountain bikers in Japan who rode in forests and on trails in forests and mountains increased remarkably. Thus, bikers are now stakeholders who enjoy multiple benefits from the forests. However, they have become alienated from local societies of forest owners and hikers, mainly because their freewheeling rides sometimes cause severe soil erosion or accidents, and some areas have begun to bar them from the trails. Aware of this social isolation, in the 21st century, some mountain bikers have begun projects to set up and maintain their trails through working with local societies. This paper explores these challenges through case studies on five projects; B.C. Porter, Associates of Mountain Bikers in the Nishi-Tama Area, Trail Cutter, Old Trail Recovery Project in the Nishi-Izu Area (Yamabushi Trail Tour), and Self Discovery Adventure in Otaki Village. This research confirms that bikers have energetically pursued joint operations with recreational parks, consensus-building with local communities and forest owners, and collaboration with local governments. In a few projects, bikers have even become participants in local forest management. The local communities and governments seem to approve of the bikers' efforts, especially in mountain areas plagued by "underuse" of forests and a declining population. These projects, having achieved harmony among the local societies, also have the potential to maximize forest use in relation to human needs, reconciling conflicts among users.