Should rail trails be classified as road biking?

Route of the Hiawatha trail in Idaho

In addition to my own trail website, I enjoy contributing to other trail communities. After all, it is my hope that we all have the same general goal: to promote the enjoyable and healthy lifestyle that trails offer.
However, I am having trouble convincing other websites that there should be a third category of biking besides mountain biking and road biking.
My most recent foray into this topic was with Russell of Alltrails.com. First, I want to thank Russell for replying to my request. I appreciate that he took the time to consider the issue and give me a detailed reply. As with all people in the internet trail business, he is most gracious and helpful.
Here is what Russell had to say about my request:

"Thanks for the suggestion Kevin. Today we classify most of the rail trails under road biking since as you pointed out they are paved surfaces that require little to no mountain biking skills. When we spoke with users most people found adding an additional category for biking to be confusing. That being said, we do appreciate the feedback and we'll make sure to revisit this in future updates to the site."

This is similar to the replies I have gotten from other websites such as Everytrail, Trails.com, Mapmyride, Ride with GPS, etc. So my intent is not to say that Alltrails is out of line. In fact they are right in line with all the others. Instead, I would like to offer my own suggestions regarding this issue and hope that I can convince one of the major trail-information websites to take the bold step of adding a third category of trails called trail biking:

1. Rail trails should definitely not be classified as road biking!! The obvious reason for this is because it does not involve a road, but a trail. In fact, most people who ride on rail trails are doing so to avoid riding on roads.
2. It would not confuse people to add a third category. Much more confusing is to classify rail-trails as road biking. By definition, a trail is basically the opposite of a road when it comes to biking and hiking.
3. Although many rail-trails are paved/concrete, many (possibly most) are not. Some are gravel, some cinder, some ballast, some dirt... Each one is different. But they all have one thing in common. They are all family-friendly and they all cater to the needs of all demographic groups, unlike mountain biking and road biking.
4. Both road biking and mountain biking, at least in the minds of many people, offer some element of danger and risk. Trail biking, once again, is quite the opposite. It is relaxing and extremely safe. It attracts a completely different type of user.
5. It is estimated that only 1% of Americans ride bikes on a regular basis. Despite the fact that bike riding is fun, healthy, environmentally-friendly, inexpensive, and (potentially) relaxing, something is keeping people from riding bikes on a regular basis. It is my firm belief that our stringent policy of categorizing all biking into the two narrow categories of mountain biking and road biking is a major factor in the limited biking habits of most Americans.
6. I first became interested in trail biking (I was already an avid mountain biker.) when I took my one-year-old daughter on the Hiawatha Trail in Idaho. Of course she was in a bike trailer and I was pulling her behind my bicycle. It was a revelation to me. I loved the idea that I could enjoy trails with my daughter while avoiding the risks of road biking and mountain biking. Our father/daughter biking trips continued on trails such as the Withlacoochee Trail in Florida and others throughout the country. We were biking together, but we were not mountain biking or road biking. My daughter has never been interested in the rigors of mountain biking, and I don't like the odds of serious/fatal accidents involved with her biking alongside large, fast-moving, often distracted drivers and their automobiles. (side note - Believe me, I am the polar opposite of an over-protective parent, and I would gladly allow my daughter to road-bike if she had such an inclination.)
7. As I travel the country and ride the various family-friendly trails, I can't help but notice that they attract a completely different type of recreationalist. In general, these people are incredibly friendly, laid back, nature-loving, slow-paced individuals and families. That's what they have in common. What they don't have in common is age, income, background, or lifestyle. They seem to come from all walks of life and have varied ages, backgrounds, and socio-economic status. Most of them have no desire to risk life and limb on a road or mountain bike trail. They just love getting out and enjoying the laid-back offerings of a safe and simple trail.

It is for the reasons listed above and many more, that I started the trails network website. I wanted to help other people find the joy of these trails without the risks of road biking and mountain biking. Trail biking is as different from these other two categories as hiking is different than backpacking or trail-running. Alas though, my website is just a small fish in a big pond and doesn't attract the  visitors that the other big websites do. And since my objective is to introduce as many people as possible to the joys of trail riding, I'd prefer to have at least one other site promote trail biking.

It isn't my goal to change all of the various trail websites to my way of thinking. In fact, I hope that there remains variety and choices among the different sites. However, I hope I can convince just one of them to add the category of trail biking so we can spread the word about a third category of trails. It is my dream to raise the percentage of regular bikers in America from 1% to 50% or 75% or, what the heck, let's shoot for 100%. Biking does not have to be dangerous, competitive, or mundane. I am so glad that I get to experience, on a daily basis, the joys of trail-biking throughout America. I look forward to seeing more people join me in this healthy, green, and enjoyable pursuit.

Should rail trails be classified as road biking?

If it's not mountain biking, and it's not road biking, then...?

Here is the bike trail version of the famous, "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause..." letter.

I recently received an email from a gentleman who had this question for me:

Subject: bike trails
Don't quite understand what your problem is with naming of routes.
I ride mountain bikes, whether part of my route goes on to the road or is part of a canal toe path or anything else it is just part of the route.
Essentially, what you are describing is mountain biking, your routes may be a sub genre but I don't see what the issue is with calling it mountain biking....

I'd be glad to explain the difference between mountain biking and the type of biking I usually do now. I was an avid mountain biker for many years, and the type of biking I now do is as different from mountain biking as mountain biking is from road biking:
When mountain biking, I ride a mountain bike; whereas when trail biking I have the option to use a mountain bike, but may also use a road bike, a recumbent, a tandem, a velocycle, a recumbent trike, a hybrid, a tagalong, a bike trailer, or even a Trikke. Just like with road biking, I can certainly use a mountain bike, but it's not mountain biking.
Mountain biking, as the name implies, is usually done in the mountains; whereas trail biking may be done in the mountains, but it is more likely to be done on the plains, in the city, on the coast, or even in the desert.
Mountain biking, for better or worse, correctly or incorrectly, is noted for its steep ups & downs, often borderline dangerous style of riding, and caters mainly to riders aged 15 to 40. Obviously there are numerous exceptions to this, but I still mountain bike and would estimate over 90% of the riders I see on the mountain bike trails fall into this category. On the other hand, when I'm on multipurpose trails, every time I go out I see riders aged one (trailers) to four (tagalongs) to 90 (recumbents, hybrids, etc.).
Mountain biking is predominately single-track with a dirt surface. The type of trails I ride are asphalt, concrete, cinder, gravel, and, occasionally, dirt.
And now for the most important point. I read a lot of blogs, and I was shocked to read, in one of the blogs, that less than 1% of the people in the U.S. ride bikes on a regular basis. I'm sure that you would agree with me that that is sad. You probably feel, like I do, that biking is one of life's greatest pleasures. So how come so few people do it? It would be easy to say, "Because they're lazy, or boring, or timid, or..." But let's face it, when your two choices are:
Risk life & limb on a road where, at any minute, a distracted driver may injure or kill you or...
Risk injury on a mountainside trail where you may be taken out by a root, rock, rut, or out-of-control mountain bike or...
Enjoy riding until your 50s, then give up biking altogether when your joints begin to protest at the punishment of riding on steep trails or the start & stop of riding in traffic or...
You can seek out trails that are more mellow such as rail-trails, canal-trails, and other forms of multipurpose trails.
More and more, I am choosing this final alternative, but it is quite difficult to find good, accessible bike rides when they are all bunched into the two categories of mountain biking and road biking.

Now is where I have to admit, I have no idea who you are or what organization you're with. My guess is that you probably won't change your mind, no matter what I say... for now.

But the time will come when you will tire of risking your life on the roads and your limbs on the "mountain bike trails," and you'll seek out another type of riding because, like me, you love riding your bike. Who knows, maybe you'll want to take your kids on a ride and won't want to risk their life or limb. Or maybe you'll try a recumbent bike and love it. Or possibly you'll want to go on an active vacation with friends, but some of them will be mountain bikers, some road bikers, some inline skaters, some hikers, and some equestrians; and wouldn't it be nice if you could find a trail that met all your needs so you could enjoy them together? Or what about a multigenerational outing with little kids, teens, tweny-somethings, middle agers, & grandma/grandpa. You may live in super family where three year old Susie is right on 83 year old grampa's rear tire on a twisty, bumpy, steep mountain bike trail. But that type of family is pretty rare.

It is my hope that when the time comes, you will be able to go to the popular trail sites such as Everytrail.com, trails.com, trailsnet.com, et al and find the perfect fit in a category that is simply called, "bike trail" or "multitrail." Hopefully when we make that simple little adjustment, that simple addition of one more trail category, more people will discover the joy of biking, not as an adrenaline high, not as a race, not as some type of constant competition, but just as a form of recreational, environmentally friendly, healthy, and socially enjoyable pastime.

And of course those people who enjoy mountain biking and road biking, like I did for over 40 years of my life, will continue to do so and have a great time. Only once we add one more category of bike trails, the other 99% of the folks can join us in the joyous activity we call biking.

Kevin Purdy
www.trailsnet.com
kevin@trailsnet.com
www.trailsnet.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/trailsnet

If it's not mountain biking, and it's not road biking, then...?

Bike equipment for rail-trails.

I have often spoken of the many benefits of rail trails when it comes to health, the environment, alleviating traffic congestion, family togetherness, and saving fossil fuels.

Rail trails are for everyone.

Another benefit of rail trails is their versatility. Not only are they an ideal fit for nearly all possible riders, regardless of age, size, or ability, they are also versatile when it comes to equipment. Nearly any type of cycle will work on most rail-trails. Personally, I have ridden recumbents, mountain bikes, cruisers, road bikes, and hybrid bicycles on rail trails. And I was quite comfortable in all instances. (Sometimes road bikes are less-than-ideal on dirt or gravel trails, so I use one of the other types of bikes for those trails.)

It's nice to know that you don't need something fancy, expensive, or technical to enjoy the vast network of rails-to-trails out there. Not only is it physically possible to ride just about any type of non-motorized wheeled vehicle on the rail trail network, but it's also socially acceptable. Unlike road and mountain biking, there is no expectation that you wear certain clothes and ride expensive bikes. Rail trails are like the great equalizer. Everyone from all backgrounds and socioeconomic groups is welcome. Spandex or no spandex, fancy bike or plain Jane bike, you're accepted just the way you are.

Ya gotta love rail trails.

Bike equipment for rail-trails.

It's time to add a third category of bikers

I may never have really given the issue of trail categories a second thought if I hadn't started writing and publishing trail descriptions, guides, and reviews. In fact, I didn't even really need to ponder the category issue on my own trailsnet website or trails network blog because the sites specialize in multi-use, multi-user trails that are  used by people of all ages and abilities.

Just because you're on a bike in the
mountains, doesn't mean you're
mountain biking.

However, when I started writing trail guides and reviews for other companies/websites/ blogs, I was asked to classify the trails as either mountain bike or road bike. That quickly became frustrating, because most of the trails I rode fell into neither of those categories. They definitely were not on the road, because I avoid road-riding whenever possible. And mountain biking is what I used to do, back when I was childless, immortal, and invincible... oh yeah, and when I spent a lot more time in the mountains. But alas (or thank goodness, depending on your perspective) those days are behind me.

Then I started looking for trails, that were family friendly, knee friendly, and, well, just plain friendly. That's when I discovered rail trails and other recreational trails that weren't necessarily mountain bike trails. These trails were scenic, they were fun, they allowed riders to pull tagalongs and strollers. And life was good...

Except for two problems. First, the trails were hard to find because there weren't any websites for them; and two, there was no official category for this type of biking. And there still isn't. As you can see, it isn't mountain biking because it often isn't in the mountains and it isn't the crazy, roller-coasterish type biking that is associated with mountain biking. And (my favorite part) it isn't done on the roads.

So my solution is apolitical. I say we just call it trail biking. It's not only for the gonzo, speed-demon, over-the-top daredevils (although it does not necessarily exclude them) that are drawn to mountain biking. It can be practiced in any part of the country by seniors, youth, parents, toddlers in bike trailers, athletes, non-athletes, commuters, recreationalists... the list goes on.

It is a very inclusive type of biking that encourages family togetherness, exercise, ecotravel, energy conservation and so on.

I think that by adding the category of trail biking, it would be more inviting and less intimidating to those, like me, who just like to venture forth on our bikes for a relaxing jaunt on the trail, whether that trail is a half mile or 150 miles.

I know that's a bit of a ramble, but I'm on a roll. It's time to open up biking to everyone.

It's time to add a third category of bikers