EMTB: It's getting crowded in the Alps, according to your latest study. Can the e-MTB boom be reconciled with sustainable tourism?
Dr Christian MoeschE-mountain biking alone is not the problem. Rather, it is the abundance of offers that causes problems. Of course, as a destination you have to pick up on the latest trends if you want to continue to exist. But you also have to be willing to make compromises. The Alps are a highly sensitive landscape, and overuse threatens what we are actually looking for there. What makes sense? How much can nature cope with? How can we control the onslaught so that it can regenerate? Summer toboggan runs, via ferratas, bike parks - all well and good, but it is important to prioritise and thus take the pressure off.
Are we an attractive target group compared to other outdoor sports enthusiasts?
In many respects: yes. Winters are getting warmer, less snow and shorter. Ski tourism is expected to stagnate and energy and investment costs will continue to rise. E-mountain biking is incredibly dynamic and is probably the sport with the greatest potential to compensate for this. At the same time, however, it is important to realise that only 27 percent of mountain railway revenue is generated in summer. In winter sports regions, the proportion is even significantly lower. However, it is precisely here that e-MTBs offer a great opportunity, as they have the potential to become a year-round sport and can be practised in the off-season in particular, or are already in demand.
Is there such a thing as "the e-mountain biker"?
On the contrary: one characteristic of the group is its heterogeneity. But this is also a great opportunity for destinations. Not only can the sport be practised for so many months of the year, but e-mountain bikers also have the potential to spread out. For example, older e-mountain bikers, who are not dependent on school holidays, could be targeted with good offers outside of peak times. In this way, the pressure of use during the peak season and at weekends can be alleviated and the typical travelling waves can be reduced. One thing is generally clear: e-mountain bikers are a lucrative group of guests with high spending power ...
... which is not dependent on mountain railways. The operators may not be happy about bikers who use the routes but don't buy tickets.
However, the added value is not only generated by the mountain railways, but also by the hotel and catering industry, for example. In addition, e-mountain bikers are significantly less performance-orientated than mountain bikers. There is a high proportion of newcomers - 63 per cent previously rode mountain bikes. However, this also means that 37 per cent are newcomers who may place more value on a well-developed network of tours than on single trails. And perhaps it would also make sense to price the offer differently and move away from the traditional lift ticket system towards a service ticket with trail use, charging facilities, bike wash, etc.
Which regions would be suitable as e-MTB destinations?
Pretty much every region in the Alps has the chance, but very few have a strategy. In general, it makes both economic and ecological sense to say goodbye to the general shop. If you decide in favour of e-mountain biking, you have to think it through consistently. You need additional infrastructure with appropriate charging facilities. The lifts must also be able to handle e-MTBs. And in order to promote the issue of sustainability, there must be a high-quality range of e-MTBs available for hire so that you can also travel easily by public transport.
Are there regions that are already implementing this well?
Lenzerheide consciously integrated e-mountain bikers at an early stage. Among other things, there are more and more easier routes that make it possible to get into trail riding. And as far as co-existence with other user groups is concerned: communication really makes a big difference here. At Lenzerheide, everyone is aware even before they arrive that bikers are not just tolerated. And compromises have been consistently made - so there are also trails that are not accessible to hikers.
Are there any problem areas that apply specifically to e-mountain bikers?
The potential for conflict with other mountain sports enthusiasts was definitely an issue in our study, especially with hikers, but also with mountain bikers. I think it still seems to be the case that other athletes feel cheated by the motorised support. Speed can also play a role. This is why comprehensive sensitisation and good communication are crucial.
What would you personally recommend to Alpine regions?
I would like to see supra-regional strategies developed and foresighted cooperation. You have to be prepared to make sacrifices. It is no way to attract more and more people who can no longer develop and at the same time exhaust resources. I do believe that this can succeed if you take a more holistic approach and get the various stakeholders, including nature conservation organisations, on board from the outset.
Dr Christian Moesch (47) teaches at the Institute of Sports Science at the University of Bern. One of his specialisms is the impact of climate change on sports tourism. "It's getting tight in the Alps" is the title of his current study, which explores the question of how the popularity of e-mountain bikes can be reconciled with sustainable tourism.
