Reducing Trail User Conflict - Fast Tracks In Phoenix

Mountain BIking Success Stories

IMBA Trail News
Volume 16, Number 2
Early Summer 2003

Phoenix, Arizona boasts some of the best mountain bike trails of any urban area in the world. The warm, dry climate and hilly topography lend themselves perfectly to our sport. The region also has an outstanding network of trails ringing the city, highlighted by something called "competitive tracks." Competitive tracks are single-direction trails designed for high-speed, non-motorized use.

The competitive tracks in Phoenix are definitely a mountain bike success story, but they are not without controversy. In 1996 Maricopa County Parks, which manages most of the public trails surrounding Phoenix, was facing increased user tension. Equestrian groups were encouraging the county to reduce mountain bike use. Meanwhile, Phoenix mountain bikers were looking for a place to ride fun trails in a more aggressive manner.

Truth be told, when Maricopa Parks first introduced the concept of a competitive track, mountain biker response was mixed. "We were concerned they would use the competitive tracks as leverage to kick us off existing trails," said IMBA Arizona rep Sonia Overholser.

Nevertheless, the first competitive track became a reality in January 1998, thanks to sponsorship from Specialized Bicycles and volunteer trailbuilding help from the Mountain Bike Association of Arizona and IMBA. Since then, Maricopa County has expanded the network of competitive tracks to three separate parks and approximately 35 miles of trail. The tracks operate on a fee basis. Revenues are used to enhance and maintain the competitive track system.

"It's been a huge success," said Rand Hubbell, Marketing Coordinator for Maricopa Parks and Recreation. "The parks get a ton of use from local residents. Competitive tracks have also been used by the 24 Hours of Adrenaline, the local state championship series and manufacturers testing new gear in the spring."

While the competitive tracks are technically multi-use, Hubbell concedes that "99 percent of visitors are mountain bikers." Contrary to initial fears, Maricopa Parks has not closed other trails in their jurisdiction to mountain bikes, although they do encourage less aggressive riding on these trails. Since the competitive tracks were built, reports of user conflict on other trails in Maricopa County have drastically decreased.

While local mountain bikers are pleased with the competitive tracks, they remain cautious about the prospect of more of these trails. "Mountain bikers want to play more of a role in the design of the tracks," said Overholser. "And we also need to continue to make sure these tracks are not used as an excuse to keep mountain bikers out of the decision-making process for other multi-use trails."

More Success Stories:
Reducing Trail User Conflict

Morris County, New Jersey: A relative peace has been reached between mountain bike group JORBA and local hiking clubs. More info:

Seattle, Washington: Mountain bikers and other trail groups have worked together for shared use access on the Middle Fork Trail. More info: www.bbtc.org