450 views • posted 10/25/2023 • updated 10/25/2023
This info brief provides a fresh look at the current state of practice for trail development, reflecting new research and showing the growing applications of trails in every type of environment and community.
by Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
Trails are valued by communities across the country, providing everything from inspiring experiences in open green spaces to invigorating daily commutes and restorative social connections. Since the early 1990s, America has undergone a historic expansion of all types of trails in every community context. As individual trails have multiplied, they have connected into vast networks crossing local, regional, and state lines. Trail networks have grown to have a significant impact on many aspects of our communities, providing economic, health, transport, and social benefits. Like the development of our nation’s railroads in the early 19th century and the paved road system of the 20th century, trails have evolved into an important nonmotorized, human-powered element of the nation’s 21st-century transportation network.
This info brief provides a fresh look at the current state of practice for trail development, reflecting new research and showing the growing applications of trails in every type of environment and community. It illustrates the overlapping and intertwined benefits of trails; provides high-level guidance and resources on trail-focused partnerships and planning; and demonstrates the adaptability of trails in a rapidly changing world. This brief also acknowledges barriers to equitable trail development and strategies for planning and implementing trails that distribute benefits equitably.
Attached document published June 2022
Since its inception in 1999, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center's mission has been to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. As a national leader in pedestrian and bicycle research and resources, the PBIC develops and shares resources vital to advancing mobility, access, equity, and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks
posted Nov 1, 2023
The Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks report is a resource and idea book intended to help small towns and rural communities support safe, accessible, comfortable, and active travel for people of all ages and abilities.
How to Build Safer Streets Quickly and Affordably
posted Oct 4, 2023
The California Bicycle Coalition (CalBike) and Alta Planning + Design are excited to share this Quick-Build Guide for quickly and inexpensively creating safe spaces on our streets for people to travel by bike, on foot, on a scooter, by skateboard, or by any other low-impact, low-cost mode of transportation.
posted Sep 26, 2023
Adults living within a half mile of a park visit parks and exercise more often, but according to the 2014 State Indicator Report on Physical Activity, less than 38 percent of the U.S. population lives within a half mile of a park.
Highway-Rail Crossing Handbook
posted Feb 14, 2022
The purpose of the Highway-Rail Crossing Handbook, 3rd Edition is an information resource developed to provide a unified reference document on prevalent and best practices as well as adopted standards relative to highway-rail grade crossings.
