Demand for Trails and Routes - Tourism and Trails: Cultural, Ecological and Management Issues - page 98

were running, biking, camping, fishing, hiking, skateboarding, birdwatching
and triathlons (Tables 4.1 and 4.2). These activities were also extremely pop-
ular among the adult US population during the same year. Although the
report only mentions running, jogging and trail running as a distinct cate-
gory, all of these outdoor pursuits are related to trails and may rely heavily
on them (e.g. triathlons, hiking and cycling). Trail running alone saw a nota-
ble 15.5% growth between 2006 and 2011.
Cycling has seen a consistent growth in participation over recent decades
with bicycle sales increasing in response to increased fuel costs, an increasing
environmental awareness and a widespread desire to live healthier lifestyles.
These factors are particularly pronounced in Europe, where bicycles have
gained widespread acceptance as a transportation mode for commuting and
recreation. As a result, a multitude of trail networks has developed all over
the continent, as noted in Chapter 3. According to the European Cyclists'
Federation (2013b), residents of Denmark purchased the highest number of
bicycles in 2009 at nearly 160 bicycles per thousand inhabitants that year.
Following at a distance were the Dutch, Finns, Austrians and Swedes, all of
whom are among the most avid cyclists in Europe. Bicycles as the pri-
mary mode of transportation was greatest in the Netherlands in 2009

Table 4.1 Five most popular outdoor activities in the USA by participation rate, 2011

Activity Youth (%) Adult (%)

Running, jogging and trail running 26.2 14.8

Bicycling (all types) 21.9 12.4

Camping 20.6 12.7

Fishing 18.8 15.1

Hiking 12.9 11.8

Source: Compiled from Outdoor Foundation (2012).

Table 4.2 Five most popular outdoor activities in the USA by frequency of
participation, 2011

Activity Youth (frequency -

total outings)

Adult (frequency -
total outings)

Running, jogging and trail running 1.8 billion 2.9 billion

Bicycling (all types) 1.1 billion 1.3 billion

Skateboarding 263.4 million 37.3 million

Triathlon 23.5 million 60.5 million

Birdwatching 54.2 million 405.2 million

Source: Compiled from Outdoor Foundation (2012).