Editor's note: This is part three of a five-part series between Coast Reporter and Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) featuring cycling programs and improvements by several organizations on the Coast.
Bike trail building fits under the moniker "Build it and they will come."
The connections created by recreational trail networks are important for the health and vibrancy of communities. Bike trails connect neighbourhoods, serve as commuter routes, and bring people together. When integrated well with existing roadways, trails provide an avenue for people to travel self-propelled through the landscape and community - for fun, for travel and to get from A to B. And there are now close to 400 kilometers of trail (walking, hiking and biking) on the Coast (see www.sunshine-coast-trails.com).
Recent examples of best practices trails can be seen in Kinnikinnick Park (Maple Loop and Brown Sugar trails) in Sprockids Park (Fuzzy Hugs and Doug's Detention trails). This quick user's guide to best practices details how and why these trails will out-last many others.
When designing and building new recreational trails it is important to gain access or obtain permission, identify who will use the trail and what type of experience will users be looking for and, understand the core elements of sustainable trail building.
Gaining access is achieved via land managers. While it may seem tedious, proper access means the trails will be protected and maintained. An application can require information on trail design, expected trail use, user group support, maintenance and insurance. Land managers see unauthorized trails are seen as hazards because they are either poorly built, without a maintenance plan or both.
Having a clear understanding of trail use is critical in designing and building trails. A trail's design shapes the experience of those who use it. The best trail networks offer something for everyone by recognizing that each trail is unique. It would be wrong to assume that all bikers want challenging terrain and that all hikers want solitude.
The International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) trail solutions guide to building sweet singletrack (2004) identifies five essentials elements of sustainable trail.
The half rule: A trail grade should not exceed half of the grade of the hillside or side slope that the trail traverses. Not respecting the half rule could lead to water management issues on the trail.
The 10 per cent average guideline: In general, an average trail grade of 10 per cent or less is most sustainable. Since this is an average some section of trail will exceed 10 per cent.
Maximum sustainable trail grades: Maximum sustainable trail grade is typically about 15 to 20 per cent. This is very site specific and fluctuate based on several factors such as half-rule, soil type and type and number of users.
Grade reversals: A spot at which a climbing trail levels out and then changes direction, dropping subtly for 10 to 15 feet before rising again. This change in grade forces the water to exit the trail at the low point of the grade reversal.
Outslope: As the trail contours across a hillside, the downhill or outer edge of the tread should slope gently down and away from the high side. This encourages water to stay off the trail.
Trails built sustainably require less maintenance and are built to last. For aspiring trails builders check out the following resources:
IMBA (2007). Managing Mountain Biking. IMBA's Guide to Providing Great Riding
IMBA (2004). Trails Solutions. IMBA's to Buildng Sweet Singletrack.
Student Conservation Association (2005). Lightly on the Land. The SCA Trail Building and Maintenance Manual.
Whistler Trail Standards document (http://www.mbta.ca/assets/pdfs/trail_standards_first_edition.pdf).
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