Doesn't medicaid/medicare pay for these mobility devices? Paving off-road trails also costs a lot. Plus there are many off-road trails that wheelchair users could gain access to if they had off-road capabilities. For this reason alone, I think it would make more sense to fund off-road wheelchairs than paving unpaved pedestrian trails. Sidewalks ruin the natural character of unpaved hiking/historical areas.

I see pavement as useful for having MUPs and paved bike trails/highways so people can go long distances at a reasonable speed. Once you arrive at a hiking path or other walkable, unpaved destination, it's better to leave those areas unpaved.