Taking Action Page 3

Celebrate Opening Day for Trails With RTC on April 16!

Posted 04/13/16 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Taking Action, Trail Use | Tagged with California, Community Events, District Of Columbia, Maryland, Ohio, OpeningDay, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin

Opening Day 2015 in Concord, California | Photo by Barry Bergman

Thousands of people across the country have pledged to get out and celebrate trails on Saturday, April 16—the nation’s fourth annual Opening Day for Trails. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is hosting some awesome rides and events in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin and California. Here's more info!

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Chris London is the community relations manager for Performance Bikes, which is celebrating Opening Day for Trails 2016 through the brand's Great Ride Series. | Photo courtesy Chris London

Kick Off the Trail Season With Performance Bicycle on April 16!

Posted 04/11/16 by Danielle Taylor in Trail Use, Taking Action | Tagged with Biking, Community Events, Encouraging Trail Use, OpeningDay

On April 16, all 104 Performance Bicycle stores in the U.S. will host Opening Day trail rides as part of the brand’s ongoing Great Ride Series, a national initiative that aims to reach non-riders and educate them on riding skills, bicycle maintenance and local trails. We talked with Chris London, community relations manager for Performance Bicycle, about their commitment to engaging new riders, his company’s Opening Day for Trails plans and one particularly life-changing find he discovered while riding.

Illinois Prairie Path | Trail photo courtesy David Wilson | CC by 2.0 | Photo of Watts by Isabel Wasson

How May T. Watts Inspired the Illinois Prairie Path and U.S. Rail-Trail Movement

Posted 03/14/16 by Amy Kapp in Success Stories, Taking Action | Tagged with Celebrating 30 Years, Champions, Demand for Trails, History Happened Here, Illinois

May Theilgaard Watts was a writer, illustrator, naturalist, scientist and teacher. Her determination that Americans stay connected to their natural landscape in a time of increasing urbanization was the catalyst that led to the formation of the 61-mile Illinois Prairie Path, which today forms a 61-mile web through the Chicago Area.

John Wayne Pioneer Trail | Photo courtesy TrailLink.com/Washington State DNR - Southeast Region

Update from the West: The John Wayne Trail Is Safe—for Now

Posted 01/22/16 by Laura Cohen in Taking Action, Policy | Tagged with Local Organizing, Overcoming Opposition, RTC in Action, Success Stories, Washington

You may be aware that longest rail-trail in the U.S. has been under fire lately, but we’ve got good news—at least for now—for John Wayne Pioneer Trail supporters. RTC learned that Rep. Schmick has decided to stop his effort to close the John Wayne.

Photo courtesy ehpien | CC by 2.0

House Passes Transportation Bill, Trails Well Positioned for Next Steps

Posted 11/05/15 by Kevin Mills in Policy, Taking Action | Tagged with District Of Columbia, Federal, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability

In a show of bipartisan cooperation among Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a long-term surface transportation bill that maintains funding for trails, walking and biking at current levels. The bill also includes policy changes championed by RTC to make innovative financing accessible to build trail and active-transportation networks.

Photo by Katie Harris/RTC

House Committee Passes Multiyear Transportation Bill

Posted 11/03/15 by Kevin Mills in Policy, Taking Action | Tagged with Funding, State and Federal Programs

On Oct. 22, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives approved a new transportation funding bill, H.R. 3763, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 (STRRA). UPDATE (11/3/15): Unfortunately, as anticipated, amendments have been filed in advance of this week’s floor debate in an attempt to eliminate a critical trails program and limit funding for safe places to walk and bike.

Photo courtesy MjZ Photography | CC by 2.0

Notice: Upcoming Railroad Abandonment in Floyd County, Ky.

Posted 10/16/15 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Taking Action | Tagged with Abandonment Notices, Corridors and Railbanking, Kentucky

On or about Oct. 5, 2015, CSX Transportation, Inc. filed for the abandonment of 11.4 miles of track between Prestonsburg and David in Floyd County, Kentucky. We are providing this information because it presents an opportunity to develop a real regional asset: a multi-use trail that can accommodate hikers, bikers, equestrians and other appropriate uses.

John Wayne Pioneer Trail Tekoa Trestle | Photo courtesy AlbertaScrambler | CC by 2.0

Proposed Closure to John Wayne Pioneer Trail Stalled—For Now

Posted 10/09/15 by Laura Cohen in Taking Action, Policy | Tagged with Threats to Trail Building, Washington

Several weeks ago, Washington state representatives of District 9—Rep. Mary Dye and Rep. Joe Schmick—announced their intent to introduce legislation in January that would not only close a section of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, but give away the state-owned trail corridor to adjacent landowners. The section in question lies in eastern Washington, extending approximately 130 miles from Malden to the Columbia River. Here's the latest on this issue.

Photo courtesy Dianne Yee | CC by 2.0

Congress on Trails: Next Steps for Transportation Legislation

Posted 09/17/15 by Leeann Sinpatanasakul in Taking Action, Policy | Tagged with Funding, RTC in Action, State and Federal Programs, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability

Congress is back in session, having returned from a month-long August recess, and the future of funding for trails, walking and biking hangs in the balance. Read how you can get involved in the fight to ensure strong federal support for bike/ped programs.

Photo courtesy Darren Larson | CC by 2.0

11 Tips to Make Walking a Natural, Enjoyable Part of Your Day

Posted 09/16/15 by Jay Walljasper in Taking Action, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Health and Active Living, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability

The United States Surgeon General placed walking in the national spotlight with his recent call to action, encouraging people to make walking a part of their daily lives and to help create more walkable communities. In part one of Jay Walljasper's four-part series, Easy Steps to Walking More, he provides simple tips that can help every American adopt walking into their regular routines.

Met Branch Trail, Washington, D.C. | Photo courtesy RTC

US Surgeon General Announces National Call to Action on Walking

Posted 09/09/15 by Kevin Mills in Health and Wellness, Taking Action | Tagged with Health and Active Living, Walkability and Bikeability

On Sept. 9, 2015, walking took center stage when the United States Surgeon General issued a national call to action to increase walking and walkability to address major public health challenges in America. The call to action, which was issued live via Webcast at 10 a.m. EST, and titled Step It Up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities, put forth the benefits of walking while emphasizing the lack safe and convenient routes for people traveling by foot or wheelchair in many communities.