The Miami Valley region boasts the nation’s largest paved recreation trail network: 340 miles connecting more than 40 communities in 11 counties.
And every four years since 2009, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission and other agencies have conducted a Trail User Survey and Count and put the data into a graphic presentation called Tale of the Trails.
Here are some of the key findings from the most recent survey released Friday.
The numbers:
- Every year, more than 91,000 unique visitors travel the trails, accounting for more than 793,000 annual trail visits.
- 96 percent of trail users rate the cleanliness of the trails as good or excellent.
- 93 percent of trail users rate the safety and security of the trails as good or excellent.
- 30 percent of area residents live within a half mile of the trails network, and 45 percent of regional jobs are within a half mile of the trails.
Who uses the trail?
A Dayton sewer access road between Patterson and Shroyer roads has been converted into a new section of a bikeway. The section is part of work, now open, that completes a network from the University of Dayton south to I-675 in Centerville. CHRIS STEWART / STAFF
Credit: Chris Stewart
Credit: Chris Stewart
- 55 percent bicyclists, 23 percent walkers, 22 percent other (jogging/running, walking pets, roller blade/skating, cross-country skiing).
- More than 71 percent use the trails weekly during the summer.
- Trail users are 62 percent male, 38 percent female.
- 68 percent trail users are 46 years old or older.
- 12 percent used the trail with children under the age of 15.