Press Releases:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
06/04/2008
CONTACTS:
Sandy Fry, (local contact), sfry@crcog.org, 860-522-2217, x20
Tom Sexton, (national contact), tom@railstotrails.org, 717-512-7245

NATIONAL BIKE/PED CAMPAIGN COMES TO CONNECTICUT:
Join bike/ped experts on a bicycle ride to learn how a national campaign for federal funding could translate into big investments in Northeast communities

Washington, D.C.—

WHAT: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is hosting a two-day Northeast Regional Forum (June 9–10) for its National Campaign for Active Transportation in Simsbury, Conn. The campaign seeks to secure funding in the next federal transportation bill for 40 communities around the country to each receive $50 million for investments in walking, biking and trails in order to shift trips away from automobiles.

Dr. Ian Thomas, bike/ped expert and executive director of Columbia, Mo.'s PedNet Coalition, will be arriving for the meeting on the 9:27 a.m. train from New York, and will then bicycle with members of RTC's Northeast Regional Office to the forum using on-road and trail facilities. Dr. Thomas represents Columbia as one of the four pilot communities that received $25 million in similar funding in the current transportation legislation through the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program.

Reporters are invited to join Dr. Thomas and RTC staff on the ride to examine how bikeable the region is today, and learn how the campaign may bring more funding for "active transportation"—trails, biking and walking—to the region in the future.

WHERE: Union Station (One Union Place, Hartford, CT) to Simsbury Inn (397 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, CT); this is a 15-mile, one-way trip.

WHEN: Monday, June 9—Ride begins at 9:45 a.m. at Union Station. Estimated time of arrival at Simsbury Inn is 11:30 a.m. RTC staff and local meeting attendees will be available for interviews before the forum begins at 1 p.m.

WHO: 

• Dr. Ian Thomas, executive director of Columbia, Mo.'s PedNet Coalition
• Tom Sexton, RTC Northeast Regional Director
• Marianne Fowler, RTC Senior Vice President of Federal Relations
• Sandy Fry, Capitol Region Council of Governments Principal Transportation Planner
• Representatives from the City of Hartford, the Farmington Valley Trails Council, and from Springfield, Mass.

MORE: To learn more about RTC's Campaign for Active Transportation visit www.railstotrails.org/2010.

For more information about the Capitol Region Council of Governments Pedestrian/Bicycle Plan visit www.crcog.org.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization with more than 100,000 members, is the nation's largest trails organization dedicated to connecting people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails, many from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Founded in 1986, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's national office is located in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in California, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For more information visit www.railstotrails.org.