HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 12/11/2012 - PAVED TRAIL STUDYDATE: December 11, 2012
STAFF: Marty Heffernan
Pre-taped staff presentation: available
at fcgov.com/clerk/agendas.php
WORK SESSION ITEM
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Paved Trail Study.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council requested staff undertake a trail study and develop a long-range plan for our paved trail
system. Staff formed a trail team to review best practices and collect information about trail use,
trail users and trail improvements. The team deployed automatic trail counters at 11 locations, and
utilized volunteers to count trail users at 10 locations on 9 different days and to interview 588 trail
users. Staff also developed and promoted an online trail questionnaire, which generated 541
responses.
Staff learned trails are important to resident’s quality of life and there is a high level of satisfaction
with the trail system. The trails are very well used but are not generally congested, they are well
maintained, and the 10-foot wide concrete trail standard is working well. Citizens want more trails,
more underpasses, and gaps in the trail system completed. Users want trails to be scenic and close
to nature. Trail users are courteous and people generally feel safe on the trails. Bicyclists
outnumber pedestrians (70/30) and males outnumber females (61/39).
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. Does Council have any questions about the data presented?
2. Are there particular issues, problems or concerns that should be addressed in the Trail Plan?
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
City Council requested staff undertake a trail study and develop a long-range plan for our paved trail
system. Plan Fort Collins also includes an action item to update the trail design standards. Staff
formed a multi-department trail team to review best practices and collect information about trail use,
trail users and trail improvements. The team deployed automatic trail counters at 11 locations and
utilized volunteers to count trail users at 10 locations on 9 different days in May, July and
September. Volunteers also interviewed 588 trail users at 10 locations on 6 different dates. Staff
also developed and promoted an online trail questionnaire, which generated 541 responses. 80
volunteers donated over 300 hours to the trail counts and interviews.
The City has 32.44 miles of paved trails consisting of 5 major trails: Poudre, Spring Creek, Fossil
Creek, Mason and Power. Development of the trail system began in 1980 with 8-foot wide asphalt
December 11, 2012 Page 2
trails at Lee Martinez and Edora and Rolland Moore parks. Today, the trails are 10-foot wide
concrete with a detached gravel path. Nearly all of the old asphalt trails have been upgraded to the
new standard.
Funding for paved trails has primarily been provided by Conservation Trust Funds from the
Colorado Lottery ($18 million since 1984). Quarter-cent capital taxes for trails include $140,000
in 1984 and $1,250,000 in 1997. The Natural Areas program has provided, on average, over
$270,000 annually since 2000 in addition to developing 100 miles of unpaved trails. The City has
also been awarded over $2.7 million in trail grants from Great Outdoors Colorado (Lottery), the
State, and others. The funding has been well spent as 93% of respondents in the 2012 Citizen
Survey rated the quality of the trails as “good” or “very good”.
Front Range communities have a median of 0.24 miles of paved trails per 1,000 residents. Fort
Collins has 0.22 miles per 1,000. Front Range trails are typically concrete and 10 feet wide, but can
range between 8 to 12 feet wide. Nationally, there is a wide variance in trail mileage and quality.
Cities rated bronze or higher “Bicycle Friendly Communities” by the League of American Bicyclists
average 0.20 miles of trail per 1,000 people, slightly below our 0.22 miles per 1,000 level.
TRAIL USE
Based on the data from the automatic trail counters and the volunteer counts staff estimates there
are 1.9 million users on the trail system annually. This breaks down to 474,000 on Poudre Trail,
650,000 on Spring Creek Trail, 264,000 for Fossil Creek Trail, 240,000 for Mason Trail and 296,000
for Power Trail. The Poudre Trail is busiest near Lee Martinez Park and Spring Creek Trail is
busiest at Creekside Park (next to the Dairy Queen) and at Lilac Park (next to The Gardens on
Spring Creek). On a typical day there are 5,000 trail users and use is fairly consistent throughout
the day. Average use for a two hour period ranges from 199 users on Spring Creek Trail to 81 users
on Mason Trail.
TRAIL USERS
70% of trail users are bicyclists, 30% are pedestrians. Pedestrian use increases to 34% on weekends
and trails in community parks tend to have higher pedestrian use. Male trail users outnumber
females 61% to 39% and male bicyclists outnumber female bicyclists 2 to 1 (67% to 33%). A slight
majority of pedestrians (53%) are female. Overall helmet use by bicyclists is just under 60%. 6%
of trail users had dogs and 95% of the dogs were on a leash.
Trails are used primarily for exercise, recreation and commuting and users come from all sectors
of the community. Many people use the trails several times a month or even daily throughout the
year. A typical trail outing for pedestrians last over 50 minutes with bicyclists averaging over 60
minutes. Choice of trails is based on accessibility, scenic qualities, low traffic volume, and
separation from street traffic.
ON-LINE QUESTIONNAIRE
95% of respondents said the paved trails are “important” or “very important” to their quality of life.
85% of respondents are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with how well the trail system meets their
needs and 82% are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with how well the trail system meets the needs of
December 11, 2012 Page 3
the community. 83% believe other trail users are “courteous” or “very courteous” and 87% feel
“safe” or “very safe” on the trails. 96% gave trail maintenance a grade of “A” or “B”.
90% of respondents feel the 10-foot wide trails are the right size. 57% do not think heavily used
trails should be wider, while 43% think they should be wider. Top new trail projects include
extending Fossil Creek Trail to Fossil Creek Reservoir, extending the Poudre Trail south from the
Environmental Learning Center and from Arapahoe Bend Natural Area over I-25 to Timnath.
Important trail improvements include underpasses/overpasses of busy streets, scenic qualities and
being close to nature, snow removal, easy detours around flooded areas, drinking fountains,
restrooms, more gravel paths, better lighting and trailhead parking.
Respondents would like to see more trails to schools, to downtown, to parks, CSU, Foothills Mall
and to Loveland. Use of trails would be more frequent or enjoyable if there were more trails, more
underpasses, the trail by Center Avenue was fixed, improved running paths and if gaps in the trail
system were filled in.
E-BIKES
On-line respondents were asked whether electric assisted bicycles should be allowed on the City’s
paved trails. 53% said e-bikes should not be allowed and 47% said they should be allowed. Trail
users were also asked about e-bikes when they were interviewed. 56% of trail users supported
allowing e-bikes on the trails and 44% were opposed. Many trail users had no opinion on the e-bike
question.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
The trail team discussed the Trail Study with the Transportation Board, the Bicycle Advisory
Committee, the Parks and Recreation Board, the Land Conservation and Stewardship Board, the
Natural Resources Board, the Commission on Disabilities, the Senior Advisory Board and the Youth
Advisory Board. After the Work Session, staff will present its findings to these boards and
commissions.
NEXT STEPS
Staff will utilize Council and board and commission input and the information collected from the
trail counts, interviews and questionnaire to draft a trail plan. The plan will include future trails,
funding options and action items. Staff will review the draft plan with boards and commissions and
will then bring the plan to Council for possible adoption.
ATTACHMENTS
1. On-line Questionnaire Summary (full report with comments is available upon request)
2. Volunteer Trail Count Sample Form
3. Volunteer Trail User Survey Interview Sample Forms
4. Powerpoint presentation
Survey: Trails Questionnaire
Value Count Percent %
Very Satisfied 151 27.9%
Satisfied 310 57.3%
Neutral 53 9.8%
Dissatisfied 27 5.0%
Very Dissatisfied 0 0.0%
Statistics
Total
Responses
541
Sum 2,208.0
Avg. 4.1
StdDev 0.8
Max 5.0
Value Count Percent %
Very Satisfied 106 19.7%
Satisfied 337 62.6%
Neutral 85 15.8%
Statistics
Total
Responses
538
Sum 2,152.0
Avg. 4.0
Summary Report - Oct 9, 2012
1. How well is the City of Fort Collins' paved trail system meeting your needs?
2. How well is the City's paved trail system meeting the needs of the community?
How well is the City of Fort Collins' paved trail system meeting your needs?
Very Satisfied 27.9%
Satisfied 57.3%
Neutral 9.8%
Dissatisfied 5.0%
How well is the City's paved trail system meeting the needs of the community?
Very Satisfied 19.7%
Satisfied 62.6%
Neutral 15.8%
Dissatisfied 1.7%
Very Dissatisfied 0.2%
ATTACHMENT 1
Dissatisfied 9 1.7%
Very Dissatisfied 1 0.2%
Avg. 4.0
StdDev 0.7
Max 5.0
Value Count Percent %
Right size 490 90.6%
Too narrow 42 7.8%
Too wide 9 1.7%
Statistics
Total Responses 541
Value Count Percent %
Yes 231 42.9%
No 308 57.1%
Statistics
Total Responses 539
3. Most City paved trails are ten feet wide. Is ten feet wide:
4. Should paved trails that are heavily used be wider than ten feet?
Most City paved trails are ten feet wide. Is ten feet wide:
Right size 90.6%
Too narrow 7.8%
Too wide 1.7%
Should paved trails that are heavily used be wider than ten feet?
Yes 42.9%
No 57.1%
Value Count Percent %
A - Boxelder Trail near Prospect Road and I-25 83 15.8%
B - Canal Trail from Horsetooth Road to Drake Road east of Taft Hill
Road
176 33.5%
C - Fossil Creek Trail around the south and east sides of Fossil Creek
Reservoir
92 17.5%
D - Fossil Creek Trail between College Ave and Shields Street 291 55.3%
E - Fossil Creek Trail near Bacon School in southeast Fort Collins 129 24.5%
F - Poudre River Trail from the Environmental Learning Center south to
Arapaho Bend Natural Area
290 55.1%
G - Poudre River Trail from Arapaho Bend Natural Area over I-25 to
Tinmath and Windsor
246 46.8%
H - Trails in northeast Fort Collins 136 25.9%
Statistics
Total Responses 526
Value Count Percent %
Very important 402 74.4%
Important 108 20.0%
Statistics
Total Responses 540
5. The City plans to expand the trail system. Check the three future trail projects that are most
important to you. View the Future Trails Map here: Future Trails Map
7. Please rate the importance of the City's paved trails to your quality of life.
The City plans to expand the trail system. Check the three future trail
projects that are most important to you. View the Future Trails Map here:
Future Trails Map
15.8%
33.5%
17.5%
55.3%
24.5%
55.1%
46.8%
25.9%
A - Boxelder
Trail near
Prospect Road
and I-25
B - Canal Trail
from Horsetooth
Road to Drake
Road east of Taft
Hill Road
C - Fossil Creek
Trail around the
south and east
sides of Fossil
Creek Reservoir
D - Fossil Creek
Trail between
College Ave and
Shields Street
E - Fossil Creek
Trail near Bacon
School in
southeast Fort
Somewhat important 27 5.0%
Not important 3 0.6%
Value Count Percent %
Very courteous 146 27.1%
Courteous 301 55.8%
Somewhat courteous 84 15.6%
Not courteous 8 1.5%
Statistics
Total Responses 539
8. Please rate the importance of the following trail improvements:
Very Important Important Somewhat Important Not Important Responses
Underpasses/overpasses of busy roads 76.9%
413
17.7%
95
4.7%
25
0.7%
4
537
Easy detours around flooded trails 14.6%
77
34.6%
183
37.4%
198
13.4%
71
529
Shade/shelters 6.8%
36
19.7%
104
43.4%
229
30.1%
159
528
Benches 4.4%
23
12.0%
63
42.2%
221
41.4%
217
524
Trailhead parking 9.3%
49
23.1%
122
38.3%
202
29.4%
155
528
Lighting 12.0%
64
27.0%
144
Value Count Percent %
Very safe 241 44.6%
Safe 225 41.6%
Somewhat safe 48 8.9%
Unsafe - What trail do you feel "unsafe" on? 27 5.0%
Statistics
Total Responses 541
Value Count Percent %
A 284 52.6%
B 235 43.5%
C 18 3.3%
D 2 0.4%
F 1 0.2%
Statistics
Total Responses 540
10. How safe do you feel when you use the trail system?
11. How well maintained are the City's paved trails? ("A" is the highest grade and "F" is failing)
How safe do you feel when you use the trail system?
Very safe 44.5%
Safe 41.6%
Somewhat safe 8.9%
Unsafe - What trail do you feel "unsafe" on? 5.0%
How well maintained are the City's paved trails? ("A" is the highest grade and
"F" is failing)
B 43.5% A 52.6%
C 3.3%
D 0.4%
F 0.2%
Value Count Percent %
Yes 248 46.7%
No 280 52.7%
Comment 3 0.6%
Statistics
Total Responses 531
Value Count Percent %
Male 297 56.4%
Female 230 43.6%
Statistics
Total Responses 527
13. Should electric assisted bicycles (e-bikes) be allowed on the City's paved trails?
17. What is your gender?
Should electric assisted bicycles (e-bikes) be allowed on the City's paved
trails?
Yes 46.7%
No 52.7%
Comment 0.6%
What is your gender?
Male 56.4%
Female 43.6%
Value Count Percent %
Asian/Pacific Islander 3 0.6%
Black/African-American 1 0.2%
Caucasian 456 86.0%
Hispanic 7 1.3%
Native American/Alaska Native 1 0.2%
Other/Multi-Racial 5 0.9%
Decline to Respond 57 10.8%
Statistics
Total Responses 530
Value Count Percent %
under 18 2 0.4%
18-24 21 3.9%
25-34 98 18.4%
35-44 126 23.6%
45-54 116 21.8%
55-64 109 20.5%
65-74 52 9.8%
Statistics
Total
Responses
533
Sum 22,508.0
Avg. 42.4
StdDev 13.9
Max 75.0
18. What is your race?
19. What is your age?
What is your race?
Asian/Pacific Islander 0.6%
Black/African-American 0.2%
Caucasian 86.0%
Hispanic 1.3%
Native American/Alaska Native 0.2%
Other/Multi-Racial 0.9%
Decline to Respond 10.8%
What is your age?
under 18 0.4%
18-24 3.9%
25-34 18.4%
35-44 23.6%
45-54 21.8%
55-64 20.5%
65-74 9.8%
75 or older 1.7%
75 or older 9 1.7%
ATTACHMENT 2
PEDESTRIAN SURVEY
1
“Excuse me, would you like to take a short survey on the trail system for the City of Fort Collins? It will take just a few minutes, and the
information will be kept confidential.”
1. What is your home zip code?
Home zip code:
2. What best describes the purpose of this trip?
Exercising (a) Work commute (b) School (c)
Recreation (d) Shopping/doing errands (e) Personal business (medical, visiting friends, etc.) (f)
3. In the past month, about how often have you walked on this trail?
First time (a) 0 – 5 times (b) 6 – 10 times (c) 11 – 20 times (d) Daily (e)
4. Please check the season(s) in which you walk.
All Year (a) Summer (b) Fall (c) Winter (d) Spring (e)
5. What is the total length of this trip (start to finish)? (complete one or more of the following)
1. Distance: miles and
/ or 2. Time: minutes
and
/ or
3. Origin (zip code)
Or location description other than zip code:*
* Address, intersection, landmark, etc.
and Destination (zip code)
Or location description other than zip code:*
* Address, intersection, landmark, etc.
6. Will any part of this current trip be taken on public transit?
Yes (a) No (b)
7. If you were not walking for this trip, how would you be traveling?
Car (a) Carpool (b) Transit (c) Bicycle (d) I would not make this trip (e)
8. Why are you using this route as opposed to walking somewhere else? (please check all that apply)
Accessible/close (a)
Scenic qualities (e)
Saw it on a map (i)
Direct (b)
Level (f)
Lower traffic volumes (c)
Personal safety (g)
Heard about it through friends, media, etc.(d)
Connection to transit (h)
9. What would you like to see improved along this route (mark with an ‘X’) and community in general (mark with an ‘O’)? (please
check all that apply)
Wider sidewalks (a)
More shade trees (d)
Better surface (b)
Benches (e)
Better street crossings (c)
Access to shops, etc. (f)
More sidewalks (g) Other (h) _____________________________________________________________________________
10. Do you have an opinion about the use of electric‐assist bikes (“e‐bikes”) on multi‐use trails?
Support (a) Do not support (b) Undecided (c) No opinion (d)
Comments: _________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. What ethnic group do you belong to? (please check all that apply) (optional)
Hispanic/Latino (a) African American (b) Anglo/Caucasian (c) Asian (d)
Site ID: _____ Trail Name: ________________ Location: _______________________________
Surveyor: _______________ Date: __________ Time Period: ___________ Weather: __________________
(sunny, cloudy, rainy, windy, hot, and/or cold)
ATTACHMENT 3
BICYCLIST SURVEY
1
“Excuse me, would you like to take a short survey on the trail system for the City of Fort Collins? It will take just a few minutes, and the
information will be kept confidential.”
1. What is your home zip code?
Home zip code:
2. What best describes the purpose of this trip?
Exercising (a) Work commute (b) School (c)
Recreation (d) Shopping/doing errands (e) Personal business (medical, visiting friends, etc.) (f)
3. In the past month, about how often have you ridden a bicycle on this trail?
First time (a) 0 – 5 times (b) 6 – 10 times (c) 11 – 20 times (d) Daily (e)
4. Please check the season(s) in which you bicycle.
All Year (a) Summer (b) Fall (c) Winter (d) Spring (e)
5. What is the total length of this trip (start to finish)? (complete one or more of the following)
1. Distance: miles and
/ or 2. Time: minutes
and
/ or
3. Origin (zip code)
Or location description other than zip code:*
* Address, intersection, landmark, etc.
and Destination (zip code)
Or location description other than zip code:*
* Address, intersection, landmark, etc.
6. Will any part of this current trip be taken on public transit?
Yes (a) No (b)
7. If you were not biking for this trip, how would you be traveling?
Car (a) Carpool (b) Transit (c) Walking (d) I would not make this trip (e)
8. Why are you using this route as opposed to riding somewhere else? (please check all that apply)
Accessible/close (a) Direct (b) Lower traffic volumes (c) Scenic qualities (d)
Level (e) Bike lanes (f) Wider lanes (g) Separation from traffic (h)
Connection to transit (i) Heard about it through friends, media, etc. (j) Saw it on a map (k)
9. What would you like to see improved along this route (mark with an ‘X’) and community in general (mark with an ‘O’)? (please
check all that apply)
Bike lanes (a) Better surface (b) Shoulders (c) Less traffic (d)
Signs/stencils (e) Better maintenance (f) Signal detection (g) Better crossings (h)
Other (i) _________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Do you have an opinion about the use of electric‐assist bikes (“e‐bikes”) on multi‐use trails?
Support (a) Do not support (b) Undecided (c) No opinion (d)
Comments: _________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. What ethnic group do you belong to? (please check all that apply) (optional)
Hispanic/Latino (a) African American (b) Anglo/Caucasian (c) Asian (d)
Site ID: _____ Trail Name: ________________ Location: _______________________________
Surveyor: _______________ Date: __________ Time Period: ___________ Weather: __________________
(sunny, cloudy, rainy, windy, hot, and/or cold)
1
1
PAVED TRAIL STUDY
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
December 11, 2012
2
BACKGROUND
• Council requested staff undertake a trail study
and develop a long-range plan for paved trails
• Plan Fort Collins includes an action item to update
trail design standards
ATTACHMENT 4
2
3
BACKGROUND
Staff formed a Trail Study Team:
Marty Heffernan - Director of Community Services
Craig Foreman - Director of Park Planning & Development
Amy Lewin - Transportation Planner
Molly North - Interim Bicycle Coordinator
Kristin Powell - Lead Natural Areas Ranger
Rachel Steeves - Natural Areas Environmental Planner
Dawn Worth - Administrative Assistant
4
BACKGROUND
The Trail Team:
• Reviewed best practices
• Deployed automatic trail counters at 11 locations
• Utilized volunteers to count trail users at 10
locations on 9 different dates in May, July and
September
3
5
BACKGROUND
The Trail Team:
• Utilized volunteers to interview 588 trail users at
10 locations on 6 different dates
• Developed and promoted an online trail
questionnaire, which generated 541 responses
• Discussed the Trail Study with the several City
Boards
• 80 volunteers donated over 300 hours to the trail
counts and interviews
6
PURPOSE OF WORK SESSION
• To share the information collected
• To identify issues, problems or concerns that
should be addressed in the Trail Plan
4
7
CURRENT TRAIL SYSTEM
• City has 32.44 miles of paved trails
• 5 major trails:
Poudre Trail 10.1 miles
Spring Creek Trail 6.93 miles
Fossil Creek Trail 5.87 miles
Mason Trail 3.85 miles
Power Trail 3.89 miles
Other 1.8 miles
8
Current Trail
Future Trail
TRAIL SYSTEM MAP
5
9
CURRENT TRAIL SYSTEM
• City began developing the paved trail system in
1980 by constructing trails in Lee Martinez, Edora
and Rolland Moore parks
• Originally, trails were 8’ wide and made of
asphalt. Today, our standard is 10’ wide concrete
trails with adjacent gravel path
• Nearly all of the old asphalt trails have been
upgraded to the new standard
10
CURRENT TRAIL SYSTEM
• Funding for paved trails has primarily been
provided by Conservation Trust Funds from the
Colorado Lottery ($18 million since 1984)
• Quarter-cent capital taxes for trails include
$140,000 in 1984 and $1,250,000 in 1997
6
11
CURRENT TRAIL SYSTEM
• The Natural Areas program has provided (on
average) over $270,000 annually since 2000 in
addition to creating over 100 miles of unpaved
trails
• The City has also been awarded over $2.7 million
in trail grants from Great Outdoors Colorado
(Lottery), the State, and others
12
CURRENT TRAIL SYSTEM
• City funding for trails has been well spent
• 93% of respondents in the 2012 Citizen Survey
rated the quality of the trails as “good” or “very
good,” much above the Front Range and national
ratings
7
13
PEER CITY COMPARISONS
The Trail Team reviewed trail systems of other Front
Range Communities:
Colorado Springs 103 miles
Denver 80 miles
Boulder 58 miles
Fort Collins 32 miles
Longmont 32 miles
Greeley 19 miles
Loveland 18 miles
14
PEER CITY COMPARISONS
• Peer cities average:
0.28 miles per 1,000 people
median of 0.24 miles
• Fort Collins has 0.22 miles per 1,000 people
• Trails range between 8 and 12 feet in width and
are generally concrete
8
15
NATIONAL COMPARISON
• Mileage of paved trails varies widely across the
country; Ann Arbor, MI (pop. 115,000) has 55 miles
while Chicago (pop. 2.7 million) has only 65 miles
• Nationally, cities average 0.20 miles per 1,000
people
• Fort Collins beats the average with 0.22 miles per
1,000 people
National comparative cities are rated bronze or higher “Bicycle
Friendly Communities” by the League of American Bicyclists.
16
DATA COLLECTION LOCATIONS
Automatic Trail Counter
Volunteer Count & Interview
9
17
TRAIL USE
Based on the data from the automatic trail counters,
and the volunteer counts we can estimate annual
use as:
• 1.9 million users on the entire trail system
• 474,000 users on the Poudre Trail, with the
highest use at Lee Martinez Park and lower use at
Taft Hill and at Timberline
18
TRAIL USE
• 650,000 users on Spring Creek Trail annually with
the highest use at Creekside Park (Dairy Queen)
and Lilac Park
• Fossil Creek Trail has 264,000 annual users
• Mason Trail has 240,000 annual users
• Power Trail has 296,000 annual users
10
19
TRAIL USE
• On a typical day there are 5,000 users on the trail system
• Trail use is fairly consistent throughout the day
-
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
1,600
1,800
Poudre Spring Creek Fossil Creek Mason Power
Daily Trail Use Estimates
20
TRAIL USE
• The highest two hour count was 321 users
(Poudre) followed by 275 (Spring Creek), both on
Saturdays
• Average two hour counts by trail:
Poudre: 171
Spring Creek: 199
Fossil Creek: 91
Mason: 81
Power: 93
11
21
TRAIL USERS
• 70% of trail users are bicyclists, 30% are
pedestrians
• Pedestrian use increases on the weekends to
34%
• Trails in community parks tend to have a higher
than average number of pedestrians
• Trails closer to the City limits tend to have a
higher than average number of bicyclists
22
TRAIL USERS
• Male trail users outnumber females 61% to 39%
• Male bicyclists outnumber female bicyclists 2 to 1
(67% to 33%)
• Female pedestrians have a slight majority at 53%
• Overall helmet use by bicyclists is just under 60%
12
23
TRAIL USERS
• 6% of trail users had a dog with them which
equals 114,000 dogs per year and 312 each day
(on average)
• 95% of dogs were on leash
24
TRAIL USERS
Trail users come from all parts of the community
80521 Northwest
80522 Downtown
80523 CSU
80524 Northeast
80525 Southeast
80526 Southwest
80528 Southeast
13
25
TRAIL USERS
Trails are used primarily for exercise, recreation & commuting
26
TRAIL USERS
Trail users are on the trails frequently
14
27
TRAIL USERS
Many people use the trails all year long
*Respondents could choose more than one answer.
28
TRAIL USERS
Trail outings last awhile and cover several miles
15
29
TRAIL USERS
Pedestrians choose their trail routes for many reasons
*Respondents could choose more than one answer.
30
TRAIL USERS
Bicyclists choose their trail routes for many reasons
*Respondents could choose more than one answer.
16
31
ON-LINE QUESTIONNAIRE
32
How well is the City of Fort Collins’ paved trail
system meeting your needs?
85% of respondents
are “satisfied” or “very
satisfied” with how well
the trail system meets
their needs
17
33
How well is the City of Fort Collins’ paved trail
system meeting the needs of the community?
82% are “satisfied” or
“very satisfied” with how
well the trail system
meets the needs of the
community
34
ON-LINE QUESTIONNAIRE
• 90% feel our 10’ wide trails are the right width
• 57% feel heavily used trails do not need to be
wider than 10’ while 43% feel they should be
wider
• 75% of respondents said the City’s paved trails
are “very important” to their quality of life
• 95% said the paved trails are “important” or “very
important” to their quality of life
18
35
ON-LINE QUESTIONNAIRE
Respondents chose their top 3 (out of 8) new trail projects
36
ON-LINE QUESTIONNAIRE
• Important trail qualities or improvements include
underpasses, being close to nature, scenic
qualities and snow removal
• Trail users were also interested in easy detours
around flooded areas; drinking fountains and
restrooms; better lighting and trailhead parking
19
37
ON-LINE QUESTIONNAIRE
• 83% of respondents believe other trail users are
“courteous” or “very courteous” with 16%
indicating they are “somewhat courteous”
• 87% feel “safe” or “very safe” on the trails with 8%
feeling “somewhat safe” and 5% feeling “unsafe”
• Respondents feel the trails are well maintained
with 96% giving an “A” or “B” rating.
38
ON-LINE QUESTIONNAIRE
Respondents were asked where else they would like
trails to go:
• Schools--16
• Downtown--16
• Parks--15
• Power Trail across Harmony--11
• Foothills Trail to Overland--8
• CSU--6
• Power Trail to Loveland--5
• Foothills Mall--3
20
39
ON-LINE QUESTIONNAIRE
Respondents were asked what one change would make their
use of the trails more enjoyable or more frequent:
• More trails—11
• More underpasses/overpasses—10
• Fix trail by Center Avenue—9
• New trail along Overland Trail Road--7
• Improve running paths—6
• Complete missing trail links—6
• Poudre Trail to Windsor—6
• Southeast trails—5
• Separate bikes from peds—4
• Better neighborhood connections—3
• Restrooms, drinking fountains, lights—3 each
40
E-BIKES
• On-line respondents were asked whether
electric-assisted bicycles (e-bikes) should be
allowed on the City’s paved trails
• 53% said ebikes should not be allowed
• 47% said ebikes should be allowed
21
41
E-BIKES
• Trail users were asked whether electric-assisted bicycles
(e-bikes) should be allowed on the City’s paved trails
050100150
Support
Do not support
Undecided
No opinion
10d. 10c. 10b. 10a.
E‐Bikes on Trails
# Pedestrians
# Bicyclists
42
DATA SUMMARY
• Trails are important to resident’s quality of life
• There is a high level of satisfaction with our trail
system
• Trails are popular and well used but are not
generally congested
• 10’ wide concrete trails are working well
• Trails are well maintained
22
43
DATA SUMMARY
• People want more trails and want the gaps in the
trail system finished
• Users want more underpasses/overpasses of
busy roads
• Important for trails to be scenic and close to
nature
• Trails are used consistently and year-round and
removing snow from them is valued
44
DATA SUMMARY
• Trail users are courteous and people generally
feel safe on our trails
• Bicyclists outnumber pedestrians and males
outnumber females
• Trails are popular with our canine friends who
enjoy them while on a leash
23
45
NEXT STEPS
• Staff will present these results to various City
boards to gain their input
• Staff will finish drafting the Trail Plan, including
future trails, funding options and action items
• Staff will review the draft Trail Plan with the
Boards and then bring the Plan back to Council
for possible adoption
46
QUESTIONS FOR COUNCIL
• Does Council have any questions about the data
presented?
• Are there particular issues, problems or concerns
that should be addressed in the Trail Plan?
35.3%
188
25.7%
137
533
Restrooms 11.8%
63
28.6%
152
42.3%
225
17.3%
92
532
Drinking fountains 15.8%
84
28.0%
149
35.5%
189
20.7%
110
532
Mowing trail edges 7.9%
42
22.7%
120
38.8%
205
30.6%
162
529
Removing snow 38.6%
206
31.1%
166
20.6%
110
9.6%
51
533
Scenic qualities 31.6%
167
42.0%
222
21.7%
115
4.7%
25
529
Close to nature 35.6%
189
38.6%
205
20.9%
111
4.9%
26
531
Other 28.7%
48
13.8%
23
13.8%
23
43.7%
73
167
9. In general, how courteous and respectful are other trail users?
In general, how courteous and respectful are other trail users?
Very courteous 27.1%
Courteous 55.8%
Somewhat courteous 15.6%
Not courteous 1.5%
Collins
F - Poudre River
Trail from the
Environmental
Learning Center
south to Arapaho
Bend Natural
Area
G - Poudre River
Trail from
Arapaho Bend
Natural Area
over I-25 to
Tinmath and
Windsor
H - Trails in
northeast Fort
Collins
0
100
50
Please rate the importance of the City's paved trails to your quality of life.
Very important 74.4%
Important 20.0%
Somewhat important 5.0%
Not important 0.6%