I just rode the Banks-Vernonia Trail today with about a dozen Forumites. Out and back for 40 miles. Trail is good. Almost no bollards and in general, well thought out. I also rode 64 miles today to get to Banks and back, all on public roads, most of which had no shoulder.
When it comes to likelihood of a emergency room worthy crash, far less likely on the road. I felt much safer today riding solo to and from the ride. I've had two crashes with other bikes, cars or pedestrians that have sent me to the hospital in around 150,000 miles of road riding. I had a couple of closer than I like today on that trail.
Now this was the 4th of July Sunday. Trail traffic was a little heavier and road traffic considerably less. There are paths in Portland I ride because the roads have no provision for bikes, I believe sometimes because of that trail.