COVID-19

Reimagining Public Spaces

Posted 10/12/21 by Ryan Chao in America's Trails | Tagged with COVID-19, Demand for Trails, Featured Magazine Articles, Health and Active Living, Mode Shift, Route of the Badger, Trail Moments, TrailNation, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Met Branch Trail | Photo by India Kea

Last year, when the team at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) was elbow deep in defining the elements of our next strategic plan, a global pandemic had upended the world, and calls for justice were bringing focus to the deep and far-reaching impact of racial inequities. In that moment, we explored the strengths of our movement, our role in bringing solutions to these significant social challenges and the opportunities ahead. What we found captured our imagination and brought reason for hope.

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Met Branch Trail | Photo by India Kea

Reimagining Public Spaces

Posted 10/12/21 by Ryan Chao in America's Trails | Tagged with COVID-19, Demand for Trails, Featured Magazine Articles, Health and Active Living, Mode Shift, Route of the Badger, Trail Moments, TrailNation, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Last year, when the team at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) was elbow deep in defining the elements of our next strategic plan, a global pandemic had upended the world, and calls for justice were bringing focus to the deep and far-reaching impact of racial inequities. In that moment, we explored the strengths of our movement, our role in bringing solutions to these significant social challenges and the opportunities ahead. What we found captured our imagination and brought reason for hope.

Photo by Lisa Watts, graphic by RTC

The Great Bike Shortage? For Me, It Was the Great Bike Summer!

Posted 09/02/21 by Silvia Ascarelli in America's Trails | Tagged with COVID-19, Demand for Trails, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Schools and Young People, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

In late May 2020, during the early days of the COVID-induced Great Bike Shortage, I stood in line with a neighbor to buy a used bike. Her first bike. My neighbor Shahreen is in her late 30s and didn’t know how to ride a bike, so she asked me to teach her. And so began my Great Bike Summer.

Indianapolis Cultural Trail | Photo by Indiana Cultural Trail, Inc.

Despite Earlier Fears, the State of State Trail Funding Looks Strong

Posted 08/04/21 by Andrew Dupuy, Brian K. Housh in Policy | Tagged with COVID-19, Demand for Trails, Funding, State and Federal Programs

As of the summer of 2021, the state of trails in the states is much stronger than we anticipated. In the summer of 2020—RTC successfully fought an attempt by some Pennsylvania legislators to raid a state outdoor recreation fund that supports trails. Expected similar assaults elsewhere never materialized.

MaShanta Ashmon on Michigan's Clinton River Park Trail | Photo by Rachel Walker | Graphic by RTC

Finding Health, Healing and Hope on the Trail

Posted 05/13/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with COVID-19, Health and Active Living, Michigan, Trail Moments, Why Use Trails?

After a long day of being in the house, sitting in front of a computer for seven hours, the only thing I wanted to do was close down my Zoom and go outside and ride my bike. I think that kept me sane. It truly gave me something to look forward to.

Ian Mackay on Olympic Discovery Trail | Photo by Jesse Major

Five Trail Moments with Ian Mackay, Founder of Ian's Ride

Posted 04/13/21 by Ian Mackay in Trail Use, Health and Wellness, America's Trails | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Equity, People with Disabilities, Trail Destinations, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Washington, Why Use Trails?

I was able to retain my happiness and sanity during this difficult year by getting outside. My preferred venue: The Olympic Discovery Trail. Here are 5 #TrailMoments that were particularly special for me during the 2020 year.

The Three of Us | Courtesy Darlene Maxfield

Connecting to Nature, Connecting as a Family, on America’s Trails

Posted 01/14/21 by Darlene Maxfield in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with COVID-19, Demand for Trails, Encouraging Trail Use, Equity, People with Disabilities, Trail Moments

Since COVID-19 began, our activities have been limited and our universe has shrunk. I know we’re not alone in this; so many people have been limited in what they can do during this time. But we found that one activity still brings us so much joy—biking as a family on our local trails.

Photo by India Kea

Looking Back, With Gratitude, on a Year of Challenges and Triumphs for Trails

Posted 12/23/20 by Amy Kapp, Paola Tejada Lalinde in America's Trails, Success Stories, Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, Best Of, Capital Trails Coalition, Caracara, COVID-19, Federal, Funding, Great American Rail-Trail, IHTC, Route of the Badger, RTC in Action, Trail Moments, TrailNation, Why Use Trails?

As 2020 draws to a close—a year of extreme changes and challenges—it is with incredible appreciation that we reflect on the collective impact of our movement across the country.

Ed and Jenn Coleman on the Chief Ladiga Trail | Courtesy Ed Coleman

The Long Trail Home

Posted 12/17/20 by Ed Coleman in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Alabama, Arizona, California, COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Florida, Trail Moments, Why Use Trails?

Trail riding encompasses my fondest childhood memories and confirmation of my life partner. It grounds me to myself and makes the world around me my home. I lost that connection during the pandemic, and I have realized that rediscovering the trails around me—my #TrailMoments—makes me feel whole and like the world will be ok.

New York's Highline | Photo by Adrian Cabrero

How to Adapt Trail Activities and Gear for Cold and Winter Conditions

Posted 11/23/20 by Emilia Benton in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Repairs and Trail Safety, Biking, COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, How-to, People with Disabilities, Trail Use Tips, Winter Uses

Common outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, running and cycling can be done safely in the fall and winter, as long as you’re adequately prepared and plan to recreate responsibly.

Metropolitan Branch Trail in Washington, D.C., and Maryland | Photo by India Kea

How to Build Physical Activity Into Daily Life on Trails During COVID-19

Posted 11/20/20 by Cory Matteson in America's Trails, Health and Wellness, Trail Use | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, People with Disabilities, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Getting outside right now, especially on local trails, can provide a wealth of benefits to your body and mind—once you get in the habit. Some of the most common trail activities—biking, skating, running—can burn over a thousand calories in an hour’s time. And being out in nature—especially right now, as more people are staying home and cool weather is making people less inclined to step outside—can strengthen your resilience and mental health.