Final answer:
The author supports the claim by integrating expert opinions, quantitative research, and real-world examples to prove that bike trail availability could lead to increased cycling. This includes environmental impact studies and instances where incentives have encouraged the usage of alternative transportation methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author provides evidence to support the claim that more people would ride bikes if bike trails were available by presenting expert opinion, numerical evidence, and examples of successful implementations. For instance, an expert's testimony on the minimal environmental impact of mountain biking compared to hiking or horseback riding is used to assuage concerns about trail damage. Additionally, numerical data on population growth is utilized to highlight the need for alternatives to overcrowded city spaces, further supporting bike trail expansion.
Advocacy for mountain bikes on trails is bolstered by studies showcasing the relative lack of erosion caused by bikes compared to horses, giving environmental organizations reason to reconsider their stance. Conversely, the opposition cites the potential for erosion and the disruption of tranquility as reasons against sharing trails with bikes. However, these claims are positioned as less convincing when weighed against expert insights and data.
Finally, the argument is strengthened by referencing cities that have seen improvements in public transportation utilization through incentives, which parallels the idea that the provision of bike trails would similarly increase bike usage.