I have often wondered how much trails and greenways cost to build in comparison to the costs of roads. Of course, I would expect a path to cost less than a street for numerous reasons, but I wondered just how much less.
 |
| vs. |
Well now I know.
The average cost, per lane mile, for a road to be built is between $500,000 and $1,000,000. (How come I’m picturing Dr. Evil with his pinky up next to his mouth right now?)
The average cost to build an asphalt trail (Asphalt is more expensive than dirt and gravel trails, but less expensive than concrete so it makes a nice average, plus roads are usually asphalt, so it also makes a good comparison.) is $25,000 to $100,000.
As I said, I expected trails to be less expensive to build, but that is considerably less expensive. And that doesn’t even factor in the most important figure… the cost of maintaining trails compared to roads. Some trails can go many years with little or no maintenance whereas roads are in a constant state of repair and disrepair.
And let’s take the tally a step further. Which is more beneficial in certain important categories:
|
· Health
|
_ü_ trails
|
____ roads
|
|
· Environmental benefits
|
_ü_ trails
|
____ roads
|
|
· Family togetherness
|
_ü_ trails
|
____ roads
|
|
· Recreation
|
_ü_ trails
|
____ roads
|
|
· Relaxation
|
_ü_ trails
|
____ roads
|
|
· Safety
|
_ü_ trails
|
____ roads
|
It’s plain to see that trails cost significantly less to build and maintain than roads; and they’re much more beneficial. But who has more money to throw at congressmen, oil lobbyists or trail lobbyists? So where do all the tax dollars go?
Once you figure it out, please let me know. I’d love to get your input on this one.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/02/02/trails-and-greenways-cost-much-less-per-mile-than-roads/
Support bikes and bicycling. Support environmental friendliness. Support energy independence. Support recreation. Support the great outdoors. Support a healthy lifestyle. Support family togetherness. Support trails. Support safety.
Here’s your second chance to sign the People for Bikes petition that promotes a more bicycle-friendly environment with safe bike lanes and trails. They currently have over 200,000 signatures and are going for double that. Heck, I say, “Let’s go for a half million.”
This link will take you to an extremely easy online People for Bikes petition.
Thank you for your support.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/02/01/sign-people-for-bikes-petition/
Bike trails, water trails, outdoor adventures…
These aren’t phrases that people normally associate with Nevada. But every time I go there, I find a new outdoor adventure.
One time it was a crazy downhill mountain bike course in Bootleg Canyon. Another time it was a relaxing kayak trip through the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, replete with hot springs and caves.
But most recently, I had the opportunity to ride the 34 mile River Mountains Loop trail in Boulder City, Nevada. Not far out of Las Vegas, this paved trail offered desert wildlife, views of Lake Mead, and plenty of outdoor exercise. Heck, it even offered a Vegas-style buffet within yards of the trailhead.
Of course, my trail adventures are never complete until I post them to the trailsnet website, the Everytrail guide book pages, and the trails network blog. If you’re wondering which format is the best way to view one of the many trails I’ve got posted online, here’s a quick primer:
- The trailsnet website lists all the trails, by state. Each trail web page has a written description of the trail, numerous trail photos, a trail map, and “trail facts” sidebar for quick trail information at-a-glance.
- The EveryTrail guides offer all of the above with a couple differences; the Everytrail guides can be downloaded to your smart-phone (iPhone, Droid…) so you can take the guide with you on a trip without having to pack along a printed version. The guides are also interactive so you can access related web-links and view the map in various forms while you’re on the trail.
- The trails network blog gives a very general overview of trails, but also provides information about other trail and bike-related issues.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/02/01/river-mountains-loop-trail-in-nevada/
The car-free lifestyle is starting to appeal to more and more people. Whether it is due to the high price of gas, environmental awareness, health appeal, or just because it’s a lot of fun, people all over the country/world are starting to discover the joys of a automobile-free life.
 |
| Cruise on over to a car-free festival. |
And concurrently, car-free festivals are also springing up like May flowers. Here is a short list of some of the more progressive and popular festivals:
So make plans to visit one or all of these car-free festivals. And of course, leave your car at home.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/01/31/car-free-lifestyle/
While reading the Sunday newspaper, I discovered an internet tool called the
NGram Viewer by GoogleLabs.
Using the NGram Viewer, it is possible to compare the popularity of words and phrases over a long period of time and from one generation to the next.
“What does this have to do with trails,” you may ask?
So I used NGram to compare trail related terms and how frequently they’ve been used over the years.
First, I compared the phrases hiking trail, biking trail, rail trail, equestrian trail, bike trail, multi-use trail, and family trail. Sorry the graphs (below) spill over into the right margin, but when I tried to publish the smaller versions, they were awfully difficult to read.
Hiking trail was consistently the most popular from the 1930s until present time. Bike trail was next most popular, biking trail 3rd, equestrian trail 4th, rail trail 5th with multi-use and family trail taking up the rear.
Next, I compared the words street, road, path, and trail. The results of this popularity poll were predictable, but with a pleasant surprise:
While the words street and road were the undisputed champions up until the 1960s, the word path began to vie with street for dominance. And then, in the late 1970s, path forged ahead of street and stayed that way. I was a little disappointed that trail has gained more headway, but at least it hasn’t gone down in popularity like both street and road.
Next, I compared some specific trails to each other. Only one conclusion can be reached by the accompanying data; the
Katy Trail is by far the most well-known of our nation’s long-distance trails. So congratulations to Missouri for having such a successful trail. That is definitely something to be proud of.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/01/30/trail-information-on-googles-ngram-viewer/
 |
| Trikke Skki |
Today’s post is from our human powered vehicle files.
I had the pleasure to spend last weekend in Las Vegas trying out the full line of Trikke vehicles. This included the Trikke Skki, the Trikke Pon-e, and the full line of Trikke carving vehicles.
 |
Trikke hybrid electric/
body powered vehicle |
We started the Trikke Academy up near Mt. Charleston outside Las Vegas where we had the opportunity to carve the snows of Ski Las Vegas on the Trikke Skki. It was an absolute blast coming down the hill on this 3-ski toy that is quite easy to learn and very stable. I would say that a complete novice to skiing or snowboarding could learn to operate a Skki within a couple hours and by the end of the day, could be bombing the hill on their own. It has a much faster learning curve than skiing or snowboarding.
 |
Trikke T78 body
powered vehicle |
The Trikke Pon-e is a hybrid vehicle that combines electric power with human power for a smooth and enjoyable ride. Depending on trail regulations, it could handle most multi-use trails with few problems.
The Trikke human-powered, three-wheeled carving vehicles are a little more difficult to learn, but are fun on roads, paved paths, and parking lots. They definitely require some lessons and practice to really master, but they are a good work-out and a lot of fun.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/01/27/trikkes-are-good-for-paved-or-cement-trails/
Well now I know.
