Mountain Biking Tourism Impacts in Rural Michigan

Abstract

Mountain biking and mountain biking tourism are on the rise. With this increase comes the potential for increased impacts, especially in rural communities promoting their mountain biking trail systems. We present the case of two such trails in Michigan, USA – The Dragon Trail and the DTE Energy Foundation Trail – to exemplify how trail and community managers discuss two areas of tourism impacts and their intersections: economics and equity. Major highlights include economic phrasings of immediate direct impacts and more diffuse community impacts; specifically, equity considerations of barriers to access and representation and safety, and their intersection when discussing local as well as tourist use of these trails. This case serves as insight for communities considering developing mountain biking tourism amenities and identities, as well as how the discussion on impacts may vary across contexts. © The Authors 2023