Executive Summary THE GREAT AMERICAN RAIL-TRAIL VISION Imagine pedaling across the entire country on a safe, seamless and scenic pathway—or walking a local trail that connects you to historic routes from across the country. You’re enthralled in the experience of exploring America’s heritage—its potential, its beauty and bounty, its people and places. Consider the intimacy […]

Dear Chairmen Capito and Graves, and Ranking Members Whitehouse and Larsen: We write in strong support of the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP), and request that you extend and strengthen this program in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization. ATIIP was authorized in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) with bipartisan support. It is […]

This webinar explored the growing social connection crisis in North America and positioned trails as critical social infrastructure, not just transportation or recreation assets. Speakers from Rails to Trails Conservancy, the U.S. Chamber of Connection, and Toronto’s Bentway shared research, real-world examples, and strategies showing how thoughtfully designed and programmed trails can rebuild trust, belonging, and well-being. The conversation […]

Micromobility has transformed how Americans move through their communities, including on multiuse trails. Personal and shared mobility options such as electric-assist bicycles (e-bikes) and e-scooters (scooters)  are now common in all types of communities. Rails to Trails Conservancy offers the perspectives in this document to assist communities, trail managers and policymakers in making decisions about […]

This survey tool was developed and utilized to create a report to summarize the business impact of the Mon River Trails System (MRTS) ‐ a network of 48 miles of trails in north central West Virginia.The findings from the work are applicable for many audiences, including trail advocates, elected officials, economic development entities, and business owners. Author: RTC […]

The team at Rails to Trails Conservancy is thrilled to partner with Special Olympics for a Celebrate Trails Day session focused on strategies for creating outdoor spaces that foster inclusive opportunities for physical activity, recreation, and everyday life. This webinar explored strategies to engage people with and without intellectual disabilities (ID) in trail programming, strategies […]

Join Rails to Trails’ Changemaker for Trails campaign for our training, “Power in Numbers: Building Grassroots Partnerships in Your Community.” During this training, Changemakers heard from individuals who have been successful in activating community members and engaging key players, including elected officials to develop trail infrastructure in their region. This was an opportunity for Changemakers […]

Railbanking, established in 1983 as an amendment to the National Trails System Act, is the foundational law making possible thousands of miles of rail-trails nationwide. Recently, a bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would effectively destroy the viability of railbanking going forward, resulting in fragmented and lost corridors—and poses a threat […]

This webinar explores RTC’s recently released TrADE report, which serves as an important tool for states, regions and active transportation professionals to understand spending patterns and strengthen the program, thus improving the efficiency and impact of investments made. We hear from Kevin Vettraino, Planning Director of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) about how […]

Discover how your trail can become a platform for preserving and promoting the unique history of your community. In this one-hour webinar, hosted by Rails to Trails Conservancy and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, we learn about the Trails Across America marker grant program, which provides fully funded cast-aluminum roadside markers to commemorate historically significant […]