California Page 5

High Trestle Trail | Photo by Milo Bateman

10 Bucket-List Biking Trails

Posted 03/28/17 by Suzanne Matyas in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, California, CelebrateTrailsDay, Encouraging Trail Use, Idaho, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Trail Destinations, Virginia, Washington

And while every trail offers its own unique experience, there are some that are so extraordinary that they truly rise to the top. So, saddle up your two-wheeled steed and celebrate Opening Day on April 8 on one of these bucket-listers!

Photo courtesy Mac H (media601) | CC BY-SA 2.0

Rail-Trail Community Fixes an Eye on Statewide Trail Programs

Posted 02/15/17 by Andrew Dupuy in Policy | Tagged with California, Florida, Funding, Minnesota, RTC in Action, State and Federal Programs, Tennessee

While much attention has been focused on Washington, D.C. in the past month, our nation’s state capitals have been busy, as well. Forty-eight state legislatures are already in session, and all but one will be in session in the coming weeks. States are important sources of funding for trails, walking and biking—as well as occasional threats.

Santa Cruz Coastal Rail Trail route along a northern section of Monterey Bay | Photo courtesy Santa Cruz County Friends of the Rail & Trail

Santa Cruz Invests Big in Trails Through $500 Million Transportation Measure

Posted 12/22/16 by Yamelith Aguilar in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with California, Funding, Products of Good Policy

During the November 2016 election, Santa Cruz County, California, proved its commitment to active transportation when two out of every three residents voted YES on Measure D, the 2016 Transportation Improvement Plan. This half-cent, 30-year sales tax provides roughly $500 million to Santa Cruz County for a comprehensive package to construct the Santa Cruz County Coastal Rail Trail and fund a variety of other biking and walking projects.

More and more cities across the country are interested in creating multimodal transportation options like those offered in Greenville, South Carolina. | Photo by Ian Curcio

Who Won the Race for Bike/Ped Funding on Nov. 8?

Posted 11/21/16 by Andrew Dupuy in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with California, Funding, Georgia, State and Federal Programs, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability

During this year’s Nov. 8 election, the presidential race was the primary focus for many Americans; however, another story was also unfolding in communities across the country. As we take time to process all the results of the election during this “lame duck” time period, RTC wanted to address this story—which had positive implications for trails, biking and walking on both sides of the U.S.

Fort Mason segment of the developing San Francisco Bay Trail in California | Photo by Cindy Barks

$90 Million Allocated to Trails, Biking and Green Infrastructure in California

Posted 09/13/16 by Laura Cohen in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with California, Ecology and Environment, Equity, Funding, State and Federal Programs, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability

Exciting developments in California! Last week, Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr.—along with Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon—announced California’s plans to allocate $900 million to programs specifically targeted toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions—while benefiting low-income areas, supporting clean transportation and reducing climate pollution.

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

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, CelebrateTrailsDay, Community Events, District Of Columbia, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin

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!

Napa Valley Vine Trail | Photo courtesy Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition

The Verdict Is In: California Approves $133 Million for Trails

Posted 02/26/16 by Laura Cohen in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with BATC, California, Funding, State and Federal Programs, Walkability and Bikeability

It was another great year for trails in California’s Active Transportation Program (ATP), the largest funding source for biking, walking and trails in the state. RTC recently learned that the California Transportation Commission has approved $133 million for 59 trail projects and separated bikeways in Cycle 2 of ATP.

San Francisco Bay Trail | Photo courtesy Tony Webster | CC by 2.0

Uniting the Bay: Trails Are Creating Healthy Communities in California

Posted 02/04/16 by Elizabeth Striano in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with BATC, California, Celebrating 30 Years, Connected Systems, Cross-Sector Collaboration

In 2014, RTC launched the Bay Area Trails Collaborative (BATC) to create a 1,000-mile interconnected system of trails and greenways in the San Francisco Bay Area. Currently comprising more than 40 nonprofits, public agencies and private entities—the diverse group is speaking in a unified voice to regional and state planning authorities on behalf of trails.

Great Shasta Rail Trail | Photo Courtesy Great Shasta Rail Trail Association

California Welcomes 80-Mile Great Shasta Rail Trail

Posted 09/21/15 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with California, Community Events, Trail Communities

In late September, California formally welcomed the in-progress, 80-miles-when-complete Great Shasta Rail Trail (GSRT) in a special two-day celebration. Three trail sections, totally nearly 37 miles, opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony and reception on Sept. 26–27, 2015.

Tidelands Park along the Bayshore Bikeway in San Diego, Calif. | Photo courtesy SANDAG

Round 2 of Calif. Statewide Active Trans. Program Yields $60 Million for Trails

Posted 09/21/15 by Laura Cohen in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with BATC, California, Funding, State and Federal Programs

Twenty-nine trail projects in California have been recommended for funding in the second round of California’s 2015 Active Transportation Program (ATP), the largest single funding source for biking, walking and trails in the state.

Photo courtesy Love Healing Deb

RTC Mourns the Passing of Friend and Bike/Ped Advocate Deb Hubsmith

Posted 08/19/15 by Marianne Wesley Fowler in Policy, Success Stories | Tagged with California, Success Stories

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy was deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague Deb Hubsmith on Aug. 18, 2015, after a two-year battle with acute myeloid leukemia. She was 46. Deb was a passionate, persistent and amazingly gifted champion for the many advances the nation has seen in trails and bike/ped policy and practice over the past 20 years.

The Testermans on the C&O Canal Towpath | Photo by Brian Gerhardstein

Washington Couple Meets Retirement—One Rail-Trail at a Time

Posted 07/20/15 by Elizabeth Striano in Success Stories, Health and Wellness | Tagged with California, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging

After years of running a household and raising their children, and a long career as a veterinarian, Ann and Bill Testerman are starting a new life in retirement together by biking the United States, one rail-trail at a time.