Facts and FIgures Page 4

Bike Score Ups the Ante on Planners, Developers

Posted 01/14/13 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Case Studies, Demand for Trails, Facts and FIgures, Walkability and Bikeability

Image © WalkScore.com

In the ongoing conversation about why Americans need more biking and walking options in their transportation infrastructure, often the "it feels good," "it's better for the environment," or "it's better for your health" arguments unfortunately don't carry a lot of weight.

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Photo of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad corridor © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy/Carl Knoch

Adirondack Corridor - America's Next Great Rail-Trail

Posted 10/10/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, New York, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

Though there are more than 1,700 rail-trails across America, covering all different shapes and sizes, a small handful stand out as true superstars of the rail-trail movement. On this list are trails such as the Route of the Hiawatha in Idaho, the Katy Trail State Park in Missouri, and Vermont's Island Line. Right now, plans are afoot for the conversion of former rail corridor that, when completed, will immediately force its way into that elite company.

Photo of commuters in New York © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Americans Driving Less, Looking for Better Options

Posted 07/16/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Trail Use, Policy | Tagged with Case Studies, Demand for Trails, Facts and FIgures, Federal

The report, Transportation and the New Generation: Why Young People are Driving Less and What it Means for Transportation Policy, shows that young people in particular are decreasing the amount they drive and increasing their use of transportation alternatives.

Photo © Valley County Pathways

People Power - RTC Report Gathers Inspiring Volunteer Stories from Across America

Posted 07/12/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Idaho, Local Organizing, Maintenance and Volunteers

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Western Regional Office last month released a terrific report that gathers all these stories--of local groups and volunteers across America using their community strength to create incredible trails. It's called Community Built - Stories of Volunteers Creating and Caring For Their Trails.

Photo of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail © LARA

Once Considered Wasteful, New Rail-Trail Proves Very Useful to Lewisburg, Pa.

Posted 07/10/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Trail Use | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Overcoming Opposition, Pennsylvania

When the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority (LARA) began building the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail back in 2009, some residents described the use of state and federal grants to purchase the corridor and construct the trail as "state-sponsored robbery."

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.

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.