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Riding Skills <br /> <br />Tt~ci'e m'tt differing skill levels among users of trails and these skill levels have an effect on the types of trails that <br />pc',,?: like t(, use. Very broad135 there are 1) experienced users, 2) occasional (Or basic) users and 3) children/ <br />vcr? :.,~ttt~g adults. The three levels of users typically want to get to the same places but they do so with different <br />l~:,,,~:is of contidence and s 'kill. <br /> <br />Commuter and Fitness Users 2) <br />[(xpcrict~ced users often use <br />bic?cl<:s :ts they would use a car, <br />altd >tre comfortable riding <br />al(,~agsirlc vehicles. They use <br />bikes ~}~r transportation or fitness <br />p~rp,,s~"~. '['hey may ride for <br />r{:crc;~ti~al reasons, hut they <br /> <br />I:'.xpe,'ict~ccd riders are likely to <br />t~;c the t~:ail that will quickly allow <br />H~e~n t,, j<et from one point to <br />a~<>~l ~er. 'l'hey prefer ~ails that do <br />not ha,.;c t~equent disruptions <br />~ttc}t as stop sigq~s, s~eet or rail <br />cro:;si~Ss, or other clements that <br />umv t;~:c~ them to slow down or <br /> <br />SlOp. <br /> <br />Recreational Users 3) <br />Occasional users more often ride <br />for recreational purposes. They <br />are comfortable riding, bu-t tend <br />to avoid roads with traffic unlesi <br />there is ample roadway width for <br />them to avoid vehicles. <br />Occasional riders prefer riding on <br />bike trails or neighborhood <br />streets with low traff'~c levels. <br />Transportation or fitness may be <br />a part of the reason they ride, but <br />their primary reason is usually to <br />have a pleasurable outdoor <br />experience. <br /> <br />Occasional riders will typically <br />ride more slowly than <br />experienced riders. They dislike <br />disruptions to trails for safety <br />reasons rather than because they <br />may have to slow down. <br />Occasional riders will usually <br />choose a .trail that provides the <br />most recreational value to them <br />rather than the most direct or <br />most convenient trail. <br /> <br />Youth and Young Adults <br />Children and very young adults, <br />depending on their age, ride by <br />themselves or with parents. They <br />go to many of the same places <br />that adult riders go to, including <br />schools, parks, stores and athletic <br />facilities. <br /> <br />Children and young adults can be <br />very uncomfortable riding on <br />streets with high traffic volume <br />and speed. Streets, even streets <br />~vith dedicated bike lanes, can be <br />difficult places for them to ride <br />because many of them have not <br />yet developed the sk/lls needed <br />to safely ride with cars. <br /> <br />Wherever possible, greenway or <br />off-street trails should be <br />provided to give children and <br />young adults access to schools, <br />parks, playgrounds and athletic <br />facilities. <br /> <br /> <br />