Thanks everyone who completed our recent Communications Survey
Your feedback enables us to serve our members better. Here is a summary of what we learned.
Based on your suggestions, we will focus on using email and Facebook to get information out to our members. We will investigate the best ways to add the option for SMS/text updates. Instagram, Twitter and YouTube are of interest to a smaller number of respondents and could become a focus at a future time. (Note – Special thanks to the individual who told us that they want updates by carrier pigeon. We’re actively investigating this new technology….)
Most respondents primarily want information about trail workdays and trail conditions & closures. Advocacy updates and notices of public meetings are next, followed by info about social events and quarterly newsletters.
Overwhelmingly, you told us that you appreciate our work in constructing new trails, with many respondents reporting a preference for more technical and single-use trails. We also did hear of the need for good connections for beginners and intermediate riders. The survey confirmed our success with advocating for MTB experiences with land managers, and building relationships with partner organizations. We heard your request to continue our efforts to expand our trail networks and variety of riding opportunities.
What we haven’t done well in the past is to give regular updates on our activities and workdays. Please watch for improvement in this area, starting now.
Other suggestions for improvement included:
- Work harder to coordinate with a wider range of users, including novice riders and trail users other than cyclists.
- Build a variety of trail experiences – more flow, more tech, more park, more novice, more advanced, more single use, more DH, more multi-use, more raw/rugged, more characteristic of our region.
- Increase education efforts to promote trail etiquette, including where (not) to ride when trails are wet.
- Convene an annual Trails Summit for users and volunteer groups in the region (and the state).
- Regularly reach out to users in the region to re-prioritize our trailwork and advocacy efforts.
- Take steps to deepen the culture of MTB trail use – bring the riding community together and celebrate what we all love.
- Provide a wider variety of times for trailwork (weekdays, evenings, weekends, etc).
- Improve signage throughout the trail network
We also learned about your trail use preferences. 90% of respondents use our trails weekly or more, with 13% getting out there at least daily. Your favorite local trails are in Cheyenne Canyon, with Jacks showing up as the overall winner (has this changed with the revision of the Chutes?!). The Lake Moraine trail ranked highly, as did trails in Red Rocks, Ute, and Palmer Parks.
Nearly all respondents frequently travel outside the Pike Peak Region to ride, with favorite places to visit being: Buffalo Creek, Crested Butte, Salida/BV/Monarch Crest, Moab, Fruita, Durango. We all love the different riding flavors from around the state!
A significant portion of riders reported travelling to Bike Parks throughout Colorado to ride – highlighting the need for our community to build our own bike park.
Your participation in our survey will help us operate more effectively for our members. Thank you for sharing your suggestions and encouragement. Your feedback is always welcome, email us any time.
5 winners have been selected for MWTA swag bags from among the survey respondents, and they will be contacted in the new year. Stay tuned!
