According to a Columbia Missourian article, Columbia bicycle/pedestrian coordinator Ted Curtis would like to pave Columbia's system of multi-use paths--most are currently gravel:
Curtis said paving the trails and establishing a comprehensive marketing program could increase the number of residents using the trail system for recreation. Once the city succeeds in getting people to walk and ride for fun and exercise, it could turn its attention to improving bike lanes on roads throughout the city to make riders more comfortable in traffic.
This process might slowly lead to more residents using alternate forms of transportation in their daily lives, Curtis said.