DIRTT PROJECTWP 2: KEY FINDINGS TRAIL SECTOR & CONSUMER SURVEY

(FULL REPORT EXPECTED END OF AUGUST 2020)

DIRTTDeveloping Intereuropean Resources for Trail building Training

ERASMUS + : STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS IN THE FIELD OF TRAINING & EDUCATION

Period: Sept 2019 – Sept 2022 (36 months)

Project idea: Development of an Educational Framework in the domain of Trail Building

Project consortium: 8 partners, 6 countries

AIMS OF THE PROJECT

• Identify & bridge skill gaps in the sector

• Address lack of specific training in planning, design, construction, maintenance of MTB trails

• Create an EU set of MTB Trail Building Guidelines

• Establish an EU wide ‘Expert ‘Group & National Reference Groups in each partner country.

WHAT WILL THE PROJECT DELIVERDeliverables & Work Packages

DELIVERABLES

• Educational Framework

• EQF Level 5 (540 hour) College Course

• Courses for Professionals & Volunteers

• MTB Trail Tutors / Trainers

• Guidelines – Trail Building Techniques

WORK PACKAGES

1. National Reference Groups

2. Research – Industry & Riders

3. Educational Framework

4. Content for Courses(s) & Trail Building Guidelines

5. Train-the-Trainer

6. Pilot Training

7. Update Educational Framework

8. Communication & Dissemination

TRAIL SECTOR SURVEY (INDUSTRY)

KEY FINDINGS 121 respondents from 16 countries

TRAINING & CERTIFICATION IN GENERAL

• Clear demand for certified training

• Priority based on trail construction and trail maintenance training courses

• Relatively difficult to recruit skilled / competent employees

• Currently lack of sufficient training available (resulting in high percentage inhouse training)

• Vast majority felt that the introduction of additional certifcations would lead to an increase in quality &

sustainability of trails

• Industry recognised certification is highly valued

KEY FINDINGS (P)

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING NEEDS ANALYSIS (NEEDS GAPS)

• Planning: post-build processes and ongoing costs, design development and master planning

• Design

• Risk management techniques

• Translating design into construction documentation

• Developing the operations and maintenance plan

• Compliance with legislation

• Designing constructed trail features

KEY FINDINGS (P)

KEY FINDINGS (P)

KEY FINDINGS (V)

VOLUNTEER TRAINING NEEDS ANALYSIS (NEEDS GAPS)

• Planning

• Design development

• Master planning

• Environmental resources

• Undertaking feasibility study

KEY FINDINGS (V)

KEY FINDINGS (V)

HOT TOPICRIDER SURVEY(CONSUMER)

KEY FINDINGS 4324 respondents from 28 countries Aim: support trail sector survey by detailing demand of the end user

GENERAL FEATURES SURVEY RESPONDENTS

• 78% male, 21% female

• 33% - 36-45 years 26% - 26-35 years 23% - 46-55 years

KEY FINDINGS

GENERAL FEATURES SURVEY RESPONDENTS

• Motivations to ride

• Exercise

• Connection to nature

• Play

• Challenge

• Escape and solitude

KEY FINDINGS

TRAILS

• 90% of the respondents would like to progress their riding ability

• A significant proportion of riders (37%) indicated having insufficient access to trails suitable to facilitate their

skills progression

• 65% of the respondents indicated riding purpose built trails was important to them

• Forest roads are ridden almost exclusively to access other trails

• Easy singletrack and more technical trails are the most frequently ridden trails

• Highly ranked (desirable) trail qualities (throughout all types of trails): descents, optional/multiple lines and

surface quality

KEY FINDINGS

WHAT ELSE TO FIND IN THESURVEY REPORT?

• Riding frequency/ preference of

various trail types

• Preferred qualities per trail type

• Trail characteristics needed for skills

progression

• Attitudes towards trail access

• Attitudes towards volunteer trail work

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION & SUSTAINABILITY

EDUCATIONAL FRAMEWORKPREVIEW WP 3

PROGRAM CONSTRUCTION / SYLLABUS

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

DEVELOPING LEARNING OUTCOMES

COURSE COMPOSITION & ORGANISATION (BLENDED LEARNING)

BUILDING BLOCKS

1. Mountain Biking in Society

2. Mountain Bike Planning, Design & Management

3. Mountain Bike Trail Construction & Maintenance

Higher Vocational Education – stand alone course of 30 ECTS

Project Partners: