Thanks to all 280 of you who took our 2023 rider survey! We've got some highlights below and find the complete results here.
Here's what you had to say:
Most mountain bikers join MTB Missoula because of our work building and maintaining trails
Nearly one third of respondents have volunteered with MTB Missoula in the past 12 months
Most popular local ride spots: Rattlesnake by a wide margin, followed by Marshall Mountain, then Blue Mountain
The top-ranking priority for our services going forward is maintaining trails, with bike-specific trail building a close second. Hosting events and advocating for eMTB access were the lowest ranking priorities.
Top trail projects you’d like to see more of: First, Bike-optimized single track, followed by purpose-built MTB trails, then technical descents
eMTB questions: As stated in the survey, our questions on eMTBs only applied to Class-1 bikes (pedal assist, no throttle). Respondents are split on whether trails should be open for Class-1 eMTBs though slightly more are in favor of providing some level of access.
15% of respondents either own or plan to own an eMTB; over half have friends or family that own an eMTB.
The top benefits provided by eMTBs were seen as: inclusivity of diverse physical abilities and allowing riders of varying skill levels to ride together. Precision training and skill progression were seen as being least beneficial.
Two out of three respondents are open to the possibility of some eMTB access at Marshall Mountain Park
Your feedback on this survey provides us with invaluable information to guide our objectives. We'll continue working hard to serve the diverse interests of Missoula's mountain bike community. More on that below.