Mountain Biking

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Mountain Bike Route, Mountain Bike Piste, Singletrack, MTB, Offroad Bicycling, Off-road Cycling

Category

Sports, Sporting Activities, Activities, Recreation, Tourism

Message / Function

To signify mountain bike trails or routes and the activity of mountain biking

	Source	Description
	La Clusaz	Side view of human figure riding cycle on rising terrain, bicycle shown as two circles only
	Sölden	Side view of human figure riding cycle on jagged terrain
	Québec	Side view of human figure riding cycle on rising terrain
	SADC	Side view of human figure wearing helmet riding cycle on rising terrain
	BS 8501:2002	Side view of human figure wearing helmet riding cycle on rising terrain
	Peru MST	Side view of human figure wearing helmet riding cycle on rising terrain
1)	ÖNORM A 3011	Side view of human figure wearing helmet riding cycle, bicycle tilted upwards at an angle of 15 degrees
	Tern	Side view of human figure wearing helmet riding cycle, bicycle tilted upwards at an angle of 20 degrees
	Schweiz-Mobil	Side view of human figure wearing helmet and backpack, riding cycle, bicycle tilted upwards at an angle of 20 degrees
	Tirol	Side view of human figure wearing helmet and backpack, riding cycle, bicycle tilted upwards at an angle of 20 degrees
	Piesendorf	Side view of human figure wearing helmet and backpack, riding cycle, bicycle tilted upwards at an angle of 10 degrees
	Erco	Side view of human figure wearing helmet, riding cycle, bicycle tilted upwards at an angle of 45 degrees
	Aragón	Side view of human figure with cap, riding cycle in offroad posture
	NZS 8603	Side view of human figure wearing helmet riding cycle on descending terrain
	SIS	Side view of human figure wearing helmet riding cycle on descending terrain
2)	ON Testdesign	Side view of human figure wearing helmet riding cycle on descending terrain
3)	ON Testdesign	Side view of human figure wearing helmet, riding cycle downwards
	Tirol	Side view of human figure wearing helmet and backpack, riding cycle downwards
	Schweiz-Mobil	Side view of human figure wearing helmet, riding cycle in downhill posture
	UKFC	Side view of mountain bike on rough and rising terrain

Note: Some of the examples shown above were mirrored horizontally to contrast differences.

Discussion

Almost all of the pictograms found display a side view of a human figure riding a bicycle, either tilted upwards or downwards. Many designers try to enhance differentiation of their graphical symbol used to signify mountain bike trails or routes and the activity of mountain biking from Cycling in general by adding some kind of rough terrain or emphasize typical details like posture, helmet, backpack, or a pronounced tread. Details as found in pictogram variants focusing on a pronounced tread get lost when reproduced in small scale as in the table above, or viewing these images from far distance. Omitting the human figure, as in the map symbol of the U.K. Forestry Commission (labeled UKFC above) showing just a side view of a mountain bike on rough and rising terrain, is an exception spotted quite rarely. A side view of a human figure riding a bicycle in tilted position can be judged as visual stereotype for this referent.

In our research we discovered that there is only very limited test data available for the referent Mountain Biking:

Brugger (1995) studied two pictograms differing just slightly from the ÖNORM A 3011 variant shown above using the Comprehensibility Estimation method. The varying bearing of the head seemed to be not relevant as both variants reached identical results.

In a follow up Comprehension Test conducted in Austria (Brugger, 1995) the three pictograms marked with 1) to 3) were examined. The results for the three pictograms revealed just slight differences and with scores above 80 all variants tested passed the required limits. The pictogram marked with 1) reached the best comprehension score according to ISO 9186 and the highest percentage of perfectly correct answers, and so it was selected as symbol for the standard ÖNORM A 3011.

Recommendations

As most renderings showing a side view of a human figure riding a bicycle in tilted position probably are well understood, we also suggest focusing on this image content. A study of more renderings than the ones examined up to now could be based on the Comprehensibility Estimation method. To reach good acceptance, active mountain bikers should be included in the sample also, to identify the pictogram approved most frequently by experts.

Tests of pictograms of referent Mountain Biking

Brugger, Ch. (1995): ÖBB / ON Testserie 1995, Teil 1 Verständnisschätzungen nach ISO 9186. Report to ÖBB GD 02 (Austrian Railways) dated January 1995, Vienna.

Brugger, Ch. (1995): Verständnistest 1995 - Im Auftrag der ÖBB und des ON - FNA 133. Vienna, November 1995.