Recommendations

The NWA Paved Trails and Active Transportation Equity Report makes a number of recommendations to encourage and increase ridership, diversity and inclusion on the Razorback Greenway and other shared-use paved trails in the region. Here’s a look at those recommendations:

■ Create outreach programs, education initiatives and targeted marketing campaigns to increase awareness and engagement with the trails.

■ Increase the use of images in media that showcase people with diverse backgrounds, abilities, body types, etc. This could help to create a more inclusive and welcoming atmosphere on the trails and promote the idea that the trails are for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity or ability.

■ Create programs or events that directly engage with marginalized and/ or underserved populations to promote trail use and increase awareness of the benefits of active transportation.

■ Increase diversity in bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations, including members and staff to better represent diverse perspectives and needs. This could be achieved by actively recruiting members from diverse backgrounds and creating leadership positions for individuals from underrepresented groups.

■ Address personal safety concerns on trails, notably where Asian respondents reported the highest percentage of barriers faced in this category.

■ Improve ADA accessibility and universal design treatments on the trails to ensure that individuals with disabilities can fully participate in trail activities.

■ Increase the inclusion of diverse populations in the trail planning and design decision-making process. This could be achieved by actively seeking input from underrepresented groups and creating advisory committees or focus groups that include members from diverse backgrounds.

■ Incorporate multiple languages in trail wayfinding signs to make the trails more accessible to non-English speaking individuals. This could include translating signs into Spanish, Marshallese, Chinese, Vietnamese and other commonly spoken languages in the region.

■ Focus on creating more programming and events that appeal to lower-income individuals and families, such as free fitness classes or community bike rides.

■ Tailor messaging and outreach efforts for maximum impact considering the specific preferences of different racial and ethnic groups, such as emphasizing fun and nature for white users and practicality for Hispanic/ Latino and Native American/Indigenous users.