Last updated: 30th October 2006

TO PAVE OR NOT TO PAVE?

Ian Thomas, PedNet Coalition Executive Director

Ted Curtis, the City of Columbia's newly-appointed Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner, has proposed using part of Columbia's $22,000,000 federal Non-Motorized Transportation grant to pave the MKT Trail. The effect, he argues, will be a sharp increase in the number of commuters using the trail every day, supporting the stated purpose of the federal grant - to increase the number of non-motorized journeys.

The proposal has stimulated a strong reaction from the Columbia community. The majority of calls and emails received by the PedNet Coalition and the City of Columbia have opposed the paving proposal. However, there are many important issues on both sides of this argument, and the PedNet Coalition has not developed an official position, yet. To help you decide where you stand, we have compiled all the points we have heard so far.

Please contact us at pednet@pednet.org and let us know what you think, especially if you wish to make a point that is not included below. For more background, visit:

GRAVEL TRAILS	PAVED TRAILS

Rural Character
Gravel trails have a more rural character than paved trails Gravel trails provide an alternative to paved transportation corridors	Paved trails can still have a rural character
Benefits for Cyclists
Gravel trails slow the speed of cyclists, making them safer for children and slow, recreational cyclists (as well as pedestrians) Gravel trails are safer surfaces, when wet Gravel trails cvause less severe head injuries than paved trails	Paved trails attract more bike commuters Paved trails allow higher speeds so commuters can get to work faster Paved trails are cleaner, causing less wear and tear on clothing and bicycle parts With appropriate maintenance (eg. snow plowing), paved trails can operate year-round
Benefits for Walkers and Runners
Gravel trails slow the speed of cyclists Gravel trails are easier on runners' knees Gravel trails radiate less heat than paved trails during the summer Gravel trails provide more friction than paved trails during icy weather	Paved trails can be built with a gravel shoulder for runners, if sufficient width exists
Benefits for Wheelchair Users and Other Modes
	Paved trails are more wheelchair-accessible than gravel trails Paved trails could be used by in-line skaters
Cost of Installation and Maintenance
MKT Trail functions well as a gravel trail and money could be better spent creating new transportation corridors Although gravel trails wash out more easily than paved trails, repair of gravels trails is much cheaper Paving may require bridges to be reinforced in order to bring paving equipment in	Paving the MKT Trail may encourage very large numbers of new bicycle commuters, making paving cost-effective Paved trails wash out less easily Paved trails can be plowed after snow falls Paved trails can be salted during icy weather
Environmental Considerations
Gravel trails contribute less pollution than paved trails in storm water run-off Gravel trails do not add impervious surface and cause less stream erosion than paved trails Gravel trails do not need to be salted, which causes environmental harm	Paved trails, used by large numbers of new bicycle commuters, contribute to fewer car journeys

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