People Trails Called Small Paths Transportation Streets Route

In America's "car-centric culture" (a lifestyle that focuses and depends on cars for transportation), many people "associate" (think about in connection with) transportation with streets and highways, but there are also many other types of "thoroughfares," or "routes" or paths that connect one place to another.

One of the simplest thoroughfares would be an unpaved "trail," which is just ground that has been "compacted" (pushed down) by the feet of many people or animals so that, over time, plants stop growing there and the route is "visible" (can be seen). People who explore nature and go hiking are often following trails. Sometimes these trails are called "footpaths." "Developed" trails are trails that are being maintained, with people cutting back "shrubs" (small bushes) and maybe putting "gravel" (small rocks) or "bark dust" (small pieces of wood) on the trail. If the trails are specifically designed for "snowshoeing" (the sport of walking on top of snow with special shoes) or "cross-country skiing" (skiing across flat areas, not down a mountain), they are sometimes called "snowshoe trails" or "skiing trails."

A "cycleway" is a paved route that is designed for use by bicycles, but also used by "pedestrians" (people who are walking). "Motorized" (with an engine) vehicles are not allowed on the cycleways, which often "run parallel to" (are alongside; go in the same direction as) major streets or rivers. When a cycleway is very wide and next to a river, it is sometimes called an "esplanade."

A path that is created for horses and riders is called a "bridle path," because a "bridle" is the leather pieces placed on a horse's head so that the rider can control the horse's speed and direction. Usually pedestrians and sometimes bicycles are welcome to use bridle paths, too.