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Background: Urban trails are a useful resource to promote physical activity. This study identified features of urban trails that correlated with trail use., Methods: Multiuse urban trails were selected in Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles. An audit of each trail was completed using the Systematic Pedestrian and Cyclist Environmental Scan for Trails instrument, identifying built environmental features. A self-report of trail use was obtained from trailside residents (N = 331) living within 1 mile of each trail. Univariate and multivariate Poisson regressions controlled for trail time from home and motivation for physical activity., Results: Positive associations with the past month's hours on the trail were observed for the presence of distance signs, vegetation height, vegetation maintenance, and trail crowding, and a negative association was observed for the presence of crossings on the trail. Positive associations with dichotomous trail use were observed for the presence of distance signs, vegetation height, and vegetation maintenance, and a negative association was observed for the presence of crossings on the trail., Conclusions: These correlates should be confirmed in other studies and, if supported, should be considered in the promotion and design of urban trails.

Purpose: To evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Research on Urban Trail Environments (ROUTES) Trail Use Questionnaire., Design: Test-retest reliability was assessed by repeated measures (study 1); validity was assessed by comparing reported trail use to self-reported and objectively measured physical activity (PA) levels (study 2)., Setting: Study 1: a religious institution situated near a Los Angeles trail. Study 2: 1-mile buffer zones surrounding three urban trails (Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles)., Subjects: Thirty-four adults between 40 and 60 years of age (10 men and 24 women) completed the ROUTES questionnaire twice (study 1). Study 2 participants were 490 adults (48% female and 73% white), mean age 48 years., Measures: Trail use for recreation and transportation purposes, time and distance spent on trails, and characteristics of the trail and other trail users. PA was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and accelerometry., Analyses: Pearson correlation coefficients and kappa statistics were used for test-retest reliability for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate hypotheses on PA comparing trail users and nonusers., Results: Test-retest statistics were acceptable (kappa = .57, r = .66). Validity was supported by correlations between indices of trail use with self-reported PA and accelerometry, and significant group differences between trail users and nonusers in PA levels., Conclusions: The ROUTES Trail Use Questionnaire demonstrated good reliability and validity.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the environmental correlates of urban trail use., Design: Three multiuse urban trails at least 15 miles in length were selected. Trails were divided into one-half-mile segments (N = 102 total segments) and marked in the field. An audit of each trail was completed identifying built environmental features. A cross-sectional count of trail users was completed at each segment estimating the type of use, age, gender., Setting: Data collection occurred on urban trails in Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles., Subjects: Trained observers counted 17,338 users across the three trails., Measures: The SPACES for Trails instrument was used, and a trail count data collection sheet was developed., Analysis: Univariate and multivariate Poisson regressions controlling for location of trail and density of the population within 1 mile of the trail., Results: Positive associations with trail use were observed for mixed views (beta = .33, p < .0001), streetlights (beta = .30, p < .0001), good trail condition (beta = .28, p < .0001), and the presence of cafés (beta = .38, p < .0001) and other trailside facilities (beta =.08, p < .0001). Negative associations were observed for litter (beta = -.22, p < .0001), noise (beta = -.41, p < .0001), higher vegetation density (beta = -. 10, p < .001), drainage features (beta = -.67, p < .0003), natural areas adjacent to the trail (beta = -.39, p < .0001), and tunnel present (beta = -.20, p < .04)., Conclusions: These correlates should be confirmed in other studies and if supported should be considered in the promotion and design of urban trails.