Posts by Katie Harris Page 4

The Bay Trail is helping to preserve the natural beauty and heritage of the San Francisco Bay Area region. | Photo by TJ Gehling

San Francisco Bay Trail: Environmental Icon, Public Asset

Posted 03/18/15 by Katie Harris in Success Stories, America's Trails | Tagged with California, CelebrateTrailsDay, Trail Destinations

On March 28, 2015—people around the nation will be getting out to celebrate their favorite pathways and kick off spring in honor of RTC’s third annual Opening Day for Trails. As Opening Day approaches, we're pleased to bring you this great example of how a trail in the San Francisco Bay Area is getting people where they need to go—and helping to preserve the region's environmental legacy and natural beauty.

Indy Cultural Trail in Indianapolis, Ind. | Photo by Robert Annis

The Time Is Right for Trails in Indy (New Hours, New Opportunities)

Posted 03/09/15 by Katie Harris in Trail Use | Tagged with CelebrateTrailsDay, Indiana, Trail Communities

As we lead up to Opening Day for Trails 2015, we’re pleased to highlight another great example of a community doing great work on the ground to make their trails great places to walk and bike. Spring is a time of transition, longer days and, for many of us, enjoying that glorious sunshine we’ve been deprived of for the last few months! In Indianapolis, however, the change in seasons comes with another change for trail systems around the city: extended hours for trail use!

A disused corridor and potential future trail connection in Baltimore, Md. | Photo by Jim Brown

Opening Day Feature: We'll Be Seeing More of Baltimore—By Trail

Posted 03/03/15 by Katie Harris in Building Trails, America's Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, CelebrateTrailsDay, Community Events, Encouraging Trail Use, Maryland

Eighteen communities around the country are hosting official Opening Day for Trails Events events this year in partnership with RTC, and in the lead up to Opening Day on March 28, we'll bring you some of their awesome stories. Baltimore, Md., will be celebrating Opening Day in full force this year on the Jones Fall Trail. Did you know that Baltimore lays claim to some of the oldest urban parks in the country?

Photo courtesy Girls in Gear

Bike-Savvy Middle Schoolers Help Reclaim—and Redesign—Columbus Streets

Posted 02/03/15 by Katie Harris in Success Stories, Taking Action | Tagged with Biking, Ohio, Schools and Young People, Young Champions

A formidable group of young women travels the streets of Columbus. Helmet clad, they roll through town on their bikes, searching for sidewalks and bike lanes and assessing street lighting. They know the names of the city council members who represent them, and you may find them behind a microphone at a town hall meeting advocating for the local bicycling movement. They also help cyclists themselves; they can fix a flat bike tire without giving it a second thought. They are an impressive group. Oh, and they’re in middle school!

A Black Women Bike DC/Kidical Cupcake Ride | Photo courtesy Randall Myers

Yes, Black Women Bike!

Posted 02/03/15 by Katie Harris in Success Stories | Tagged with Biking, District Of Columbia, Success Stories

It was a simple exclamation from a young girl that set Veronica Davis’ wheels in motion to found one of the District of Columbia’s most vibrant female bike clubs. As she rode through her southeast Washington, D.C., neighborhood on a summer afternoon in 2011, she watched this girl tug her mother’s sleeve and yell, “Look, mommy! Look at that black lady on a bike!”

The Bella Donnas | Photo CC Jillian Imilkowski

Ride, Women, Ride

Posted 01/09/15 by Katie Harris in Success Stories | Tagged with Biking, Success Stories, Wisconsin

When Carmen Berte met The Bella Donnas, Milwaukee’s self-described “premier all-girl, noncompetitive, mentoring and motivational cycling group,” in 2008, she wasn’t sure it was the right place for her. Her hesitation didn’t last long.

Photo by Leo Boudreau

RTC's Year in Review: Highlights from 2014

Posted 12/10/14 by Katie Harris in Success Stories | Tagged with Best Of, Success Stories

2014 was quite a year for RTC and the rail-trail movement. We saw our fair share of challenges, and we saw our work bear fruit, as projects we fought for came to fruition, and our collaborative energies helped make possible some amazing milestones for trail initiatives across the country. For a little year-end inspiration, here are 10 highlights:

Ruby Falls | Photo by Kelly Winstrom

Stewards of Lookout Mountain: Preserving a Tennessee Legacy

Posted 12/08/14 by Katie Harris in America's Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Cross-Sector Collaboration, Ecology and Environment, Tennessee

A unique partnership is being forged on a Tennessee mountain, both above and below ground. The Lookout Mountain Conservancy, a nonprofit land trust based just outside of Chattanooga, and Ruby Falls, a commercial business, are teaming up to celebrate and preserve the natural area they both call home.

Photo by Chuck Harris

How to Winterize Your Trail Adventure

Posted 12/04/14 by Katie Harris in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with How-to, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Winter Uses

The air has been crisp for weeks, and you’re no longer surprised when you walk out and pull that cool inhale into your chest. The first of the season flurries has fallen. But just because your bike can't enjoy the trail, doesn’t mean you can’t! Here are five ways to keep your tail on the trail during the colder seasons.