Bike paths are becoming increasingly popular for a good reason: they improve the standard of living and the value of local businesses, regardless of where they are located. Deciding whether to pave bike trails with concrete or asphalt is difficult. Both materials are superior and better suited to specific applications than others. When picking between concrete and asphalt, a few advantages and disadvantages exist.

 In this blog post, Garden State Paving & Seal Coating will discuss the differences between asphalt and concrete paving and help you decide which option is correct.

Pros:

Asphalt:

Asphalt is the most used material for bike routes today, and for a good reason: it has the best cost-to-lifespan ratio of any material. It also sets rapidly. The day after, an asphalt route is laid down; it is ready for bikers. Another advantage of asphalt is that it can be repaired quickly and inexpensively, so a large fracture does not necessitate repaving your route. Asphalt is a more secure option than concrete. Certain types of asphalt, such as porous asphalt, are particularly resistant to freezing and snow accumulation. Because asphalt is porous by nature, snow melts and runs off more quickly than concrete.

Concrete:

Concrete offers many advantages that are worth highlighting. It lasts roughly 30 percent longer than asphalt and doesn’t require any maintenance until it fractures. Furthermore, concrete is entirely recyclable. It’s dismantled and recycled for use in other building projects, such as new highways and bridges. Furthermore, because concrete requires minor repair over time, fuel costs for construction equipment used to maintain it are cheaper. Lesser fuel prices imply lower emissions, which aid in preserving the environment.

Cons:

Asphalt:

Even though we feel asphalt is the finest option for the work, it is not without flaws. Asphalt, for starters, does not endure as long as concrete. However, most asphalt deterioration is caused by automobiles driving over it regularly. The constant pressure ultimately causes asphalt to bend since it is naturally more flexible than concrete. This is the most significant factor in reducing the lifespan of asphalt. This is not the case with bike trails, though. Bikes are only a tenth of the weight of vehicles. Therefore they don’t exert enough pressure on the pavement to cause it to deteriorate.

Concrete:

Concrete, like every other material, has its cons. Because it cannot be fixed, concrete pavement with a significant fracture must be replaced, which is both costly and time-consuming. This is why concrete sidewalks and other walkways are poured in portions. It’s considerably easier to repair a part of a sidewalk or driveway than to rebuild the complete sidewalk or driveway.

The cost of concrete is its main flaw. It usually is around twice the price of asphalt and does not last twice as long as asphalt; it simply does not deliver the same value.

Do you want to build a new cycling route in Medford, NJ? Garden State Paving & Seal Coating, LLC is a premier asphalt provider with a wide range of paving equipment and a highly experienced team of professionals eager, willing, and able to put that experience to work for you.

Get your quote, and we’ll discuss how to make your bike path a reality.