The Minimum Tool Rule

A Hierarchy of Options for Managing Trail User Conflicts

Public land managers who seek to provide high-quality recreation experiences on trails face the challenge of increasing user conflicts. Successful resolution of this problem depends on the management approach. The International Mountain Bicycling Association recommends that managers adopt the "minimum tool rule": Use the least intrusive measures that will solve the problem.

This approach is explained well in "Conflicts on Multiple-Use Trails: Synthesis of the Literature and State of the Practice," by Roger Moore (1994):

The nature of the recreation experience limits the manager's options in addressing the potential negative impacts of trail use. Freedom, and freedom of choice in particular, are essential for high-quality outdoor recreation on and off trails. Multiple-use trail managers must be sensitive to this fact and avoid restriction and manipulation whenever possible. The 'minimum tool rule" proposed by Hendee, Stankey, and Lucas (1990) for wilderness management is an appropriate guideline for the management of most multiple-use trails as well. They advocate using the least intrusive measures (whether physical or managerial) that will still achieve area objectives. This sensitivity is critical to maintaining the freedom and naturalness so important to most trail-based recreation.

Some managers, unaware of this principle, have fallen into a more simple and less successful approach. Andy Kulla, a recreation manager in the Lolo National Forest of Montana, calls it "Ignore or Restrict: ... New uses are ignored until they conflict with a traditional established use and then are managed by prohibition or restriction... The manager then tries to resolve a conflict between two or more often very angry and alienated user groups. By then it's often too late... Positions are taken, heels are dug in, and emotions rather than rational thought dominate the negotiations."

Kulla developed a list of possible management actions and arranged them according to the minimum tool rule. His hierarchy of solutions (see page two) offers excellent guidance to all recreation managers.

A hierarchy of options for managing trail user conflict

By Andy Kulla, USDA Forest Service - Lolo National Forest, 1994

Listed from most preferable to least preferable.

Signing
Urge cyclists to stay on routes, slow down, limit party size, consider other users, etc. voluntarily through signing. Use signs to make sure that cyclists who care, but don't know proper etiquette, have enough information to monitor themselves. Present a good map depicting areas that are open, closed, congested, or whatever.

Peer Pressure
Encourage your friends and other cyclists to patrol their own ranks in a positive way.

Education
Work with bike shops, local clubs, universities, other user groups, city bike programs, mountain bike outfitters and guides, and other interested parties to educate bicyclists about low impact use, etiquette, and consideration for other users. Develop posters, brochures, and a logo or trademark to become a recognized reminder or symbol of considerate cycling.

Use Closed Roads
Emphasize and encourage use of closed roads as bike routes because single track trails become congested quickly and have high potential for conflict.

Soft-Cycling Training Programs
Develop training programs on low impact cycling for adults and school children to be presented by clubs, organizations, bike shops.

Trail Design
On new trails or trails that can be reconstructed, include design features that restrict speed and enhance sight distance, and build wide, or pull-out, sections to facilitate safe passing of cyclists, horses, and hikers.

Barriers To Control Speed
Leave or install barriers in the trail to control speed. Things like protruding rocks, roots, bumps, sharp curves, down trees, speed barriers and waterbars will help.

Requested Walking Zone
Request or require that cyclists walk their bikes in certain areas where speed, recklessness, or congestion are potential problems.

One-Way Only
Designate the direction of travel on trails with very heavy use to avoid the potential for head on collisions.

Post Speed Limits
Set maximum allowable or recommended speeds for cyclists. Encourage voluntary compliance or involve local cyclists in positive enforcement. Encourage speeds that allow a cyclist to stop in less than half the distance they can see.

Patrolling
Use properly trained volunteer groups to patrol and talk with cyclists.

Restrict Cyclists By Time
Allow for mountain bike use only at certain times of day.

Restrict Cyclists By Day
Allow for mountain bike use on only certain days when other use may be at lower levels. (odd/even days or weekend/week day)

Separate Sections
Construct separate routes for mountain cyclist use where there is the greatest congestion (like at trailheads).

Construct Separate Routes
Construct separate trails for mountain bikes where there is strong user support (like money and/or labor) and where no other solutions are feasible.

Zoning
Close certain areas to cycling and then allow and encourage that use in other designated areas. This method is dependent on having other areas available and usable.

Close Area To Cyclists
This should be only used as a last resort after other efforts have proven ineffective.

References

Moore, Roger, "Conflicts on Multiple Use Trails: Synthesis of the Literature and State of the Practice," US Federal Highway Administration, Report No. FHWA-PD-94-031, 1994.

Kulla, A., "A New Perspectives Approach to National Forest Recreation and is Application to Mountain Bike Management." Unpublished paper prepared for Utah State University's Professional Development for Outdoor Recreation Managers/Planners Shortcourse, 1991.

Help | Site Map | Copyright



	The Minimum Tool Rule A Hierarchy of Options for Managing Trail User Conflicts Public land managers who seek to provide high-quality recreation experiences on trails face the challenge of increasing user conflicts. Successful resolution of this problem depends on the management approach. The International Mountain Bicycling Association recommends that managers adopt the "minimum tool rule": Use the least intrusive measures that will solve the problem. This approach is explained well in "Conflicts on Multiple-Use Trails: Synthesis of the Literature and State of the Practice," by Roger Moore (1994): The nature of the recreation experience limits the manager's options in addressing the potential negative impacts of trail use. Freedom, and freedom of choice in particular, are essential for high-quality outdoor recreation on and off trails. Multiple-use trail managers must be sensitive to this fact and avoid restriction and manipulation whenever possible. The 'minimum tool rule" proposed by Hendee, Stankey, and Lucas (1990) for wilderness management is an appropriate guideline for the management of most multiple-use trails as well. They advocate using the least intrusive measures (whether physical or managerial) that will still achieve area objectives. This sensitivity is critical to maintaining the freedom and naturalness so important to most trail-based recreation. Some managers, unaware of this principle, have fallen into a more simple and less successful approach. Andy Kulla, a recreation manager in the Lolo National Forest of Montana, calls it "Ignore or Restrict: ... New uses are ignored until they conflict with a traditional established use and then are managed by prohibition or restriction... The manager then tries to resolve a conflict between two or more often very angry and alienated user groups. By then it's often too late... Positions are taken, heels are dug in, and emotions rather than rational thought dominate the negotiations." Kulla developed a list of possible management actions and arranged them according to the minimum tool rule. His hierarchy of solutions (see page two) offers excellent guidance to all recreation managers. A hierarchy of options for managing trail user conflict By Andy Kulla, USDA Forest Service - Lolo National Forest, 1994 Listed from most preferable to least preferable. Signing Urge cyclists to stay on routes, slow down, limit party size, consider other users, etc. voluntarily through signing. Use signs to make sure that cyclists who care, but don't know proper etiquette, have enough information to monitor themselves. Present a good map depicting areas that are open, closed, congested, or whatever. Peer Pressure Encourage your friends and other cyclists to patrol their own ranks in a positive way. Education Work with bike shops, local clubs, universities, other user groups, city bike programs, mountain bike outfitters and guides, and other interested parties to educate bicyclists about low impact use, etiquette, and consideration for other users. Develop posters, brochures, and a logo or trademark to become a recognized reminder or symbol of considerate cycling. Use Closed Roads Emphasize and encourage use of closed roads as bike routes because single track trails become congested quickly and have high potential for conflict. Soft-Cycling Training Programs Develop training programs on low impact cycling for adults and school children to be presented by clubs, organizations, bike shops. Trail Design On new trails or trails that can be reconstructed, include design features that restrict speed and enhance sight distance, and build wide, or pull-out, sections to facilitate safe passing of cyclists, horses, and hikers. Barriers To Control Speed Leave or install barriers in the trail to control speed. Things like protruding rocks, roots, bumps, sharp curves, down trees, speed barriers and waterbars will help. Requested Walking Zone Request or require that cyclists walk their bikes in certain areas where speed, recklessness, or congestion are potential problems. One-Way Only Designate the direction of travel on trails with very heavy use to avoid the potential for head on collisions. Post Speed Limits Set maximum allowable or recommended speeds for cyclists. Encourage voluntary compliance or involve local cyclists in positive enforcement. Encourage speeds that allow a cyclist to stop in less than half the distance they can see. Patrolling Use properly trained volunteer groups to patrol and talk with cyclists. Restrict Cyclists By Time Allow for mountain bike use only at certain times of day. Restrict Cyclists By Day Allow for mountain bike use on only certain days when other use may be at lower levels. (odd/even days or weekend/week day) Separate Sections Construct separate routes for mountain cyclist use where there is the greatest congestion (like at trailheads). Construct Separate Routes Construct separate trails for mountain bikes where there is strong user support (like money and/or labor) and where no other solutions are feasible. Zoning Close certain areas to cycling and then allow and encourage that use in other designated areas. This method is dependent on having other areas available and usable. Close Area To Cyclists This should be only used as a last resort after other efforts have proven ineffective. References Moore, Roger, "Conflicts on Multiple Use Trails: Synthesis of the Literature and State of the Practice," US Federal Highway Administration, Report No. FHWA-PD-94-031, 1994. Kulla, A., "A New Perspectives Approach to National Forest Recreation and is Application to Mountain Bike Management." Unpublished paper prepared for Utah State University's Professional Development for Outdoor Recreation Managers/Planners Shortcourse, 1991.


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright