Jan 30 2011

Trail Information on Google’s NGram Viewer

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.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/01/30/trail-information-on-googles-ngram-viewer/

Jan 27 2011

Trikkes are good for paved or cement trails

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.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/01/27/trikkes-are-good-for-paved-or-cement-trails/

Jan 22 2011

If bikes were cars

Thanks to Rob at the Recumbent Blog for sharing this video.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/01/22/if-bikes-were-cars/

Jan 19 2011

Keep your ears warm while riding your bicycle

Helmuffs…

What a cool name for ear muffs made to fit with a helmet.

Gigi Lascurettes is a Portland, OR gal who is the maker of Helmuffs.

Visit the Bike Portland blog for more information and links.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/01/19/keep-your-ears-warm-while-riding-your-bicycle/

Jan 17 2011

Rail trails are all that, plus linear parks

We have looked at rail-trails from numerous perspectives, but we haven’t spent much time considering them as parks or extensions to a park.

Yet in some instances, that is exactly what they are. Some communities even call their trails “linear parks.” (Just like I sometimes refer to highways as “linear parking lots.” Especially during rush hour.)

In a recent blog from the Local Ecologist, rail trails were viewed as an expansion to city park systems. In fact, Rail Trails were sixth on a list of a dozen “approaches to expanding city park systems.”

Rail trails are family trails.

I liked that way of looking at trails, but I suggested that it wasn’t just one of twelve ways to expand the parks; I commented that rail-trail are the best way to expand the park systems. I listed the following reasons why rail-trails are my favorite option for expanding city parks:
– promote exercise
– promote environmentally friendly commuting
– link one park to another
– promote family togetherness
– help fight obesity
– less expensive to maintain than either roads or traditional parks
– often funded & developed by multiple entities such as cities, states, feds, rails-to-trails conservancy, lottery funds, parks departments, private individuals, volunteers, local clubs like bike or snowmobile groups, etc.


As with most blogs, I’m likely preaching to the choir here. Each person reading this blog probably already knows and appreciates the incredible value of rail trails. So our next step is to educate those people who don’t know and convince everyone that trails of all kinds are valuable and should be fully funded.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/01/17/rail-trails-are-all-that-plus-linear-parks/

Jan 17 2011

Pedestrians & bicyclists: Do they mix?

Thanks, once again, to Barry, for providing me w/ today’s topic.


According to the Cycle Kyoto website:
Accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians have skyrocketed in the last 10 years in Japan. In 2009, there were 2,934 such accidents. That is 3.7 times the number recorded a decade earlier.

Why can’t we all just get along?

It looks like Japan and the U.S. have more in common than I thought. I’m not sure if the cyclist/pedestrian accidents have gone up that much in the United States, but I do know that (I’m going out on a limb here) the majority of both cyclists & pedestrians that I see are extremely careless.

The cyclists always seem to be in a race. It’s not about getting from here to there, relaxing, enjoying nature, or even functional commuting. It’s, “How fast can I go on these wheels?” I have to admit, I’m totally puzzled by this attitude and amazed at how prevalent it is.

As for pedestrians, it’s a different problem. Mind you, I notice this not only on trails & sidewalks, but also in stores, in schools, etc. The pedestrians are either a.) oblivious or b.) entitled. The carelessness sometimes amazes me & always angers me.

It gets worse when the pedestrians are in groups. It doesn’t matter how few or how many there are, they have to take up the entire trail, aisle, or sidewalk. Then, if you politely ask to go by (not only if you’re a bicyclist, but even if you’re a walker or jogger) they give you a dirty look and very slowly & grudgingly move.

I know I’m not perfect, but I can honestly say that when I’m walking or riding my bike, just like when I’m driving my car, I’m constantly aware of what’s going on around me, in front and in back. If someone is approaching, I make sure I move over to let them go by. When I’m with someone else, I request that they do the same.

Now, having reported all this negative stuff, I’m glad to report some positive news. Most of the behaviors I’ve chronicled in this post seem to occur on sidewalks, roads (bike/pedestrian lanes), indoors (such as in malls/stores), and on local trail. I have not noticed these problems on long distance trails such as rail-trails. It seems like people are more relaxed, courteous, and considerate on those trails.

Now, after the good and the bad, it sounds like this bicyle and pedestrian carelessness is a major problem in at least the United States and Japan. How about in the rest of the world? I’d like to hear the experiences and opinions of other readers. Am I overreacting or is there a lack of common sense and common courtesy when it comes to bicyclists and pedestrians? And what about the issue of the long-distance trails? Have any of you noticed that those seem to be much more civil? I look forward to any comments.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/01/17/pedestrians-bicyclists-do-they-mix/