This is a bit of a silly question. I think I’ve figured out the answer, but I’d like confirmation.

I’m playing a downloaded world that has no roads. I got tired of my wizard running down the footpaths, so I bought him a broom and a broom stand. He won’t use it. It’s because there are no roads, isn’t it? The game routes the broom like a bicycle or a car? If I got him a horse, would that take him down the footpaths?

Yes, exactly. Sadly brooms (as well as UFOs) need roads. Horses work off road, so that would be an option.

Ani's Mountain Bike Mod v2: Have your sims ride a bike even in those worlds with no roads. Please read the instructions in the file. Located here, scroll down some https://anitmb.tumblr.com/downloads

Sandy made some bikes for it here https://aroundthesims3.com/objects/...utdoor_36.shtml