User Management Techniques – Part 2 – Shared Use

Biker crosses a stream on a trail.

Raising Children Australia, says the following about “sharing”:

​Sharing is a vital life skill. It’s something toddlers and children need to learn so they can make and keep friends, and play cooperatively… Sharing teaches children about compromise and fairness. They learn that if we give a little to others, we can get some of what we want as well. Children who share also learn how to take turns and negotiate, and how to cope with disappointment. These are all important life skills.

​While it’s safe to assume most of us learned how to share at home and kindergarten, it does raise some questions that are pertinent to the idea of shared trails:

• What is “Shared Use” when we talk about trail sharing?
• What allows for positive Shared Use?
• What specifically is needed to create positive Shared Use?

We will answer these questions and more as we discuss Shared Use user management techniques.

Measuring users isn't this easy.

​What is Shared Use?

Think of a set of scales, like the kind the statues of Lady Justice holds.  Now imagine in one side of the scales there is a mountain biker and in the other is a hiker.  In a perfect world we could create a trail and set of experiences that would satisfy both users equally.  Both users would come away from the trail with a smile on their face and with the least amount of complaints about other users.  We could call this a perfect shared experience.

It’s not going to happen.

Things that hikers would appreciate, like steps on the uphill, cause issues for bikers.  Things that bikers would appreciate, like bermed corners, cause issues for hikers.

But what can be created is an experience where we can give both set of users most of what they desire, so long as it doesn’t damage the experience of the other users.  It’s a balancing act, with lots of give and take.
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It’s best to think of Shared Use as Compromise Use.

​What allows for positive Shared Use?

As we have discussed previously, sharing between user groups requires we understand that speed differences, the way users see the trail and attitudes of users can make a big difference on whether sharing will be positive or negative.

With that in mind, it’s important to understand that most shared use trails are not directional.  While it’s possible to create directional shared trails, the fact is taking that step alone starts us toward other user management techniques.  Directionality is about starting to control users so we can better control the interaction on the trail.  That usually means we’ve made choices that impact another user group.

Because we will likely have bi-directional traffic, that means wider trail benches, a minimum of 48” in width, except at choke points.  Because trail bench width is tied to mountain bike speeds, its best to widen the trail only where needed, like in corners and at intersections, say 60” in width.  This wider trail also means we will have more frequent choke points to keep mountain bike speeds in check.  Remember, speed differences make hikers feel uncomfortable and we are trying to maximize the comfort of all users.  Also, those choke points have to work for hikers and they shouldn’t be less than an adult’s foot fall/shoulder width, about 24” in width.

The other thing about Shared Use trails is they do not have the trail manipulations that specific user groups desire, at least not on the primary alignment.  As mentioned above, that means no steps or berms.  However, we can have manipulations that will help with one user group or another, so long as they don’t harm the other user group.  Therefore, instead of bermed corners we might have canted benches in the corners, up to 15% cross slope.  Instead of stairs, if the soil can handle it, we can include short punchy climbs, of say 20% longitude slope, that will give hikers that feel of gaining elevation quickly without making the trail impossible for most mountain bikers.

​What specifically is needed to create positive Shared Use?

A walk/bike thru kiosk and entrance at West Lake Marion Park in Lakeville, MN. From West Lake Marion's Facebook page.

One of the biggest things that can make difference is trail signage, both at entrance points and on the trail.  Signage is expensive, but properly done, it will last for years, decades even, with little upkeep.  Kiosks should be walk-thru type with a gate.  Where there are multiple entry points, scale back the kiosk to a single panel kiosk with the entrance gate attached to one side.

Carsonite or 4”x4” wooden posts for on trail signage are easy to install and can take most abuse.  For Carsonite, the official stickers for use of this type of material will last at least 5 years without fading.  On 4”x4” trail markers (2 ½” metal with plastic lens material coating) and metal 8”x8” are the best options.  All these are available from marking companies like Berntsen International, Inc.  Signs should be at every intersection to help direct users.  Every intersection should have trail names & location information so users know where they are and where to go.

Don’t forget about adding interest for a single user group.  That might mean a spur trail (out and back) to a scenic overlook for hikers or it could mean a b-line with some feature just for mountain bikers.  Adding little “just for you” parts for each user group keeps them happy and lets users to get a little “rowdy” in a controlled setting.

Because the balancing act is so delicate on shared use trails, there should be regular user surveys, like every 2 or 4 years to make sure that delicate balance remains.  If the balance starts to tip to one side or another, it might be time to look at what caused that change.

​Final Thoughts

Shared Use works great for neighborhood trails and is the easiest to implement on an existing trail system.  It’s also the easiest to convert up to another use.  However, it is a tightrope walk the entire time it exists.  It does require an involved land manager to do it correctly.  

As part of the Knobbies in the Neighborhood presentation a complete User Management Techniques matrix is available that contains all the information presented here and much more.

This is Part 2 in a series on User Management Techniques.  Up next: Preferred Use.