2015 Trail Count Results
The results of the 2015 Greater Grand Forks trail count are finally in! The count was the third of an ongoing survey developed to measure trail use in the Greenway. Previous counts were done in 2011 and 2013.
The 2015 count shows a decrease in users. This is likely the result of approximately 1 hour of data missing from the count on Saturday evening, A tornado warning was issued for the area, which affected trail use.
Results of the survey are similar to the 2011 & 2013 surveys. The 19 – 40 year age group was the highest user group with 51% percent. This is a slight increase over the 46% percent recorded in 2013. Trail users in the 41 to 60 year age group increased slightly over previous years.
Bicycling continues to be the most popular form of trail activity, with a 58% percent participation rate. Walking was a distant second with a 27% percent participation rate. Running, inline skating, and other activities accounted for the remaining 15% of activities.
Helmet use showed a modest increase, with 31% of cyclists, inline skaters, and skateboaders using helmets. This is an increase of 5 points over the 2013 counts.
This project was sponsored by the Greenway & Trail Users Advisory Group as a method for gathering demographics and trends for local trail use. The information gathered included gender, activity, estimated age, and helmet use of trail users passing checkpoints. Results from this project will be used to support future grant funding applications, charting treads in trail recreation, and developing future marketing plans.
Many thanks to the volunteers who helped make this project possible!
The 2015 count shows a decrease in users. This is likely the result of approximately 1 hour of data missing from the count on Saturday evening, A tornado warning was issued for the area, which affected trail use.
Results of the survey are similar to the 2011 & 2013 surveys. The 19 – 40 year age group was the highest user group with 51% percent. This is a slight increase over the 46% percent recorded in 2013. Trail users in the 41 to 60 year age group increased slightly over previous years.
Bicycling continues to be the most popular form of trail activity, with a 58% percent participation rate. Walking was a distant second with a 27% percent participation rate. Running, inline skating, and other activities accounted for the remaining 15% of activities.
Helmet use showed a modest increase, with 31% of cyclists, inline skaters, and skateboaders using helmets. This is an increase of 5 points over the 2013 counts.
This project was sponsored by the Greenway & Trail Users Advisory Group as a method for gathering demographics and trends for local trail use. The information gathered included gender, activity, estimated age, and helmet use of trail users passing checkpoints. Results from this project will be used to support future grant funding applications, charting treads in trail recreation, and developing future marketing plans.
Many thanks to the volunteers who helped make this project possible!
