MTB Talks: Can mountain biking and sustainability co-exist?

“Trails to a better future”

Created by Dolomiti Paganella Bike, MTB Talks aims to be a meeting point for different realities in order to understand how mountain biking can be and become a new form of tourism that is more sustainable and attentive to the needs not only of the environment, but also to those of the tourist locations in which it is inserted. But can mountain biking actually play this decisive role and bring such prestige to the locations in which it is practised?

During this edition of MTB Talks we have had the pleasure of seeing many new examples and concrete projects in which more and more bike centres have succeeded in involving many mountain bikers, enduro and downhill enthusiasts in discovering their locations, while always respecting their natural or artificial surroundings. Often, taking the example of Riccardo Negro, Finale Outdoor Region, Italy, there is a tendency to think that only nature and its spaces need to be regulated in the best possible way, but also what can be historical points need to be protected and maintained in their original conditions. The safety of those who, in addition to the bikers, use and work along the routes or paths must also not be neglected. Just as interesting is the example of Olve Norderhaug, of the Trysil Bike Arena in Norway, who not only pays special attention to the environment, but also to how to educate new generations about sport and sustainability: “The new generations are our future”.

In this exchange of ideas and perspectives we were able to follow many other examples of how the world of mountain biking can be complex and simple at the same time. Xavier Serret of Collserola Sport Respect Ciclisme in Barcelona reports that although there are plenty of trails in the city’s mountains, they are not used as bike parks. At the same time, there is not enough rigour and money to enforce this rule, so there are often problems with accidents and collisions. Creating something that works and makes people happy is not always so automatic!

In other parts of the world however, such as Bikeplan Swiss, Zermatt, Switzerland or the Dolomiti Paganella Bike, work is being done to make mountain biking an increasingly safe activity not only for the bikers, but also for the fauna, hiking enthusiasts and not least the flora. To think that cycling in the mountains can create so many problems may seem strange to many, but in reality it takes very little to create serious damage, an example? For example, a biker who creates a new unmarked line in the forest destroying plants, or a pedestrian who accidentally enters the bike park and collides with someone. Respect for nature and a quest for sustainability is what is gradually pushing all these centres to improve and to think more and more about the good of the community and the environment.

Discovering Dolomiti Paganella Bike with Michelin

During the event we not only had the opportunity to follow interesting examples of sustainability and innovation, but also to try out what Dolomiti Paganella Bike, thanks to its many new features and renovations, has to offer. With us the new Northwave Xtrail Plus Gtx shoe with Michelin sole! Thanks to the good structure of the shoe we had no problems during the day and with the excellent Michelin sole, designed combining the performance that a MTB shoe requires, without however neglecting the traction needed to walk safely on any terrain. It proved to be solid and stable both when we were trekking and in its grip on wet pedals and at times of increased vibration and bounce.