Survey study reveals interpersonal and value-based tensions among shared-trail users, suggesting communication and clear behavioral expectations mitigate recreational conflict.
In a move away from exclusive use by modality, a number of shared tramping and mountain biking tracks have been developed in New Zealand. We ask: On shared tracks, what tensions arise and how are they experienced? Using data from online surveys of track‐users, we examine bikers' and trampers' perspectives and experiences of conflict. Tensions arose through perceived conflict of values and directly experienced conflict during interactions with the other user group. We conclude that while conflicts may be inevitable, they can be mitigated through communication: ensuring users know what to expect and how to act respectfully.
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Fagan et al. (2026) studied this question.
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