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| Term or Phrase |
Definition |
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Ballast Stone
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Large stones that comprise railroad beds. When ballast stone is used as a trail surface it's definitely a fat tire ride.
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Bikeway
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A pathway or multi-use trail designed for or allowing bicycle use. On this web site the terms 'trail' & 'bikeway' are used interchangeably.
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Bollards
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Posts intended to block automobiles from entering a trail. Most commonly found where roads intersect trails.
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Connector
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A spur or other type of connecting route to a trail or bikeway. Bike route signs or bike lanes along roads can serve as a trail connector for cyclists. Trails can also be connectors that join 2 or more trails together.
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Crushed stone
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A fine crushed gravel trail surface, most often limestone, commonly found on towpath trails. Road bikes can usually navigate a crushed stone surface that is firmly packed.
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Greenway
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Corridors of open space managed for recreation and conservation purposes. These linear open spaces often follow natural lines such as a river and its banks, a valley, canal and its banks, etc. Rail corridors converted for trail use and scenic parkways are also a type of Greenway.
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Kiosk
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A signboard or information stand for trail users. Usually found at trailheads.
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Multi-use trail
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Trails that allow several uses such as: cycling, rollerblading, hiking, cross country skiing. These trails often restrict or ban some activities like snowmobiling or horseback riding. Check the trail rules for allowed uses.
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"On your left"
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Or "Passing on your left." A courtesy used to let trail users know that you are about to overtake them, or to encourage them to move to their right to permit a safe pass.
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Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC)
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National non profit organization whose mission is "to enhance America's communities and countrysides by helping communities convert thousands of miles of abandoned rail corridors, and connecting open space, into a nationwide network of public trails."
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Rail-trail
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Trail or bikeway constructed directly on the path of an old, abandoned rail line.
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Rail-with-trail
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A configuration whereby a trail shares a rail corridor with an existing rail line. The two are often separated by a fence or natural barriers such as gulley or tree line.
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Railbanking
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An agreement between a rail company and a trail group to preserve a corridor, by way of trail use, until such time that the corridor is once again needed for rail service.
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Spur
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An offshoot or connecting path that joins to or merges with a trail or bikeway.
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Trail commute
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Using a trail or bikeway to go to work, school, or run errands.
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Trail depot
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Also known as "Break Station." Terms used to describe restored train station buildings or other trailside structures that often serve as a rest stop for trail users.
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Trailheads
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Official trail access points that usually include parking. A bikeway can have several trailheads.
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Trail hub
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Junction point where two or more trails meet.
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Trail network
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Interconnected or linked trails that form local, regional or state wide systems.
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