Demand for Trails and Routes - Tourism and Trails: Cultural, Ecological and Management Issues - page 118

Table 4.12 Desirable attributes of a scenic byway

Desired characteristics Average rating (1 = not important,

5 = very important)

Water (lakes, streams, rivers, coasts) 4.7

Mountains, hills or topographic variation 4.6

Long-distance views 4.5

Natural vegetation (trees, shrubs) 4.4

Stone walls 4.4

Unique or distinctive features 4.4

Clearings, meadows, pastures 4.3

The road follows the lay of the land 4.2

Landmarks and historic sites 4.2

Neatness, tidiness, order 3.9

Farms and farm buildings 3.9

Alternating sunny and shaded areas 3.8

Crops and agricultural land 3.7

Cemeteries 3.4

The roadway feels enclosed 3.3

Single family houses 3.1

Commercial establishments 1.9

Multi-family housing 1.8

Signs and billboards 1.6

Source: Based on Kent (1993: 96).

trail. Typical trail users were interested both in fitness and nature and appre-
ciated all outdoor activities available - walking, biking, jogging, nature
appreciation and wildlife. The third cohort, group naturalists, saw the value
of the Katy Trail more in nature appreciation than in exercise. Their motives
included spending time with friends and family in natural surroundings,
walking and picnicking. Bichis-Lupas and Moisey called their final group
'enthusiasts', which was the largest cohort in their study. Enthusiasts rated
all aspects of the trail as highly important: nature, fitness, getting away,
exploring and family time.
Lee et al. (2002) found that exercise/fitness was the most significant
motive for using a suburban trail, especially among in-line skaters and run-
ners (Table 4.14). They also noted other motives and the user group most
predisposed to appreciate these motives. Not surprisingly, skill development
ranked highest with skaters, bicyclists and runners, while runners were most
inclined to use trails to build friendships. Other important motives not listed
in Table 4.14 include getting away from the typical demands of life;