TrailBlog Page 103

Illinois Rail-Trail Ride Perfect for First-Timers

Posted 05/15/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Illinois, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Wild and Wonderful

Covering a spectacular triangle loop of rail-trails west of Chicago, GITy Up! is purposefully designed for those who haven't done many long rides before but are keen to take the plunge. The route is flat and largely car-free, and there will be plenty of mechanical and gear support on-hand.

Photo of downtown Alpena, Mich © Michigan Municipal League

Resounding New Evidence: America Wants Biking and Walking in Transportation Future

Posted 05/10/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy, Trail Use | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, RTC in Action, Rural Communities

A national poll released this week found that 83 percent of all respondents support maintaining or growing the federal funding streams that enable active transportation--sidewalks, bikeways, trails and bike paths.

Photo © kinsoltrestle.ca

British Columbia Celebrates Reopening of Historic Trestle

Posted 05/09/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Heritage and Restoration, Trails of the World

It was especially pleasing to hear from our rail-trail friends north of the border, who told us about the recent reopening of an historical trestle that now connects the two formally separated sections of the Cowichan Valley Trail through the spectacular forests and former settlement communities on Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Photo © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

RTC Helps Spread the Joy of Riding to Baltimore Students

Posted 05/06/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Trail Use | Tagged with Maryland, RTC in Action, Schools and Young People, Urban Pathways, Young Champions

Sometimes, it doesn't feel like work! Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's (RTC) trail development team members Kelly Pack and Lindsay Martin have been traveling up to Baltimore, MD., these past few weeks to help run an after school program teaching local kids some valuable bike skills, important bike safety, and even how to look after and maintain their machines.

LaHood Hails "Eye-Opening Report on the Value of Investing in Nonmotorized Transportation"

Posted 05/01/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy, Trail Use | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Products of Good Policy, RTC in Action, State and Federal Programs, Statements of Support

The U.S. Congress last week was handed the statistical analysis of the first three years of the groundbreaking Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTPP), which dedicated $25 million to each of four communities across the country to accurately demonstrate whether such investments equate to significantly higher levels of walking and bicycling, and a reduction in vehicle miles traveled.

Olympic Discovery Trail, Washington

Posted 05/01/12 by Mark Cheater in America's Trails | Tagged with Local Organizing, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Washington, Wild and Wonderful

Although the novels are set in real locations on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, you won't find any of Twilight's gothic drama if you journey there. What you will find, however, is plenty of natural drama—snow-capped mountains, verdant rainforests, rocky coasts, pristine lakes—and a rail-trail running through it.

Photo © SANDAG

Another New Section Opened, San Diego Keeps on Rolling Along Bayshore Bikeway

Posted 04/30/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with California, Champions, Connected Systems, Walkability and Bikeability

Ever since the first leg of the Bayshore Bikeway in San Diego Bay, Calif. was built in 1976, this much-loved pathway has been an integral part of life in this city. Looping around San Diego Bay, this pathway has been the catalyst for the growth in walking and biking in this sunny, seaside community, serving residents and commuters as well as it does tourists and Sunday strollers.

Photo of the Bayshore Bikeway © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Greg Cox Shaped Active Transportation in California

Posted 04/25/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Success Stories, Taking Action | Tagged with California, Champions, RTC in Action

The rail-trail movement is fortunate to have a number of active supporters in positions of municipal leadership-men and women well-placed to convert an understanding of the benefits of trails and active transportation into actual projects and programs. Greg Cox is one such champion.