Walkability and Bikeability

Patrick Sweeney on adaptive trike | Photo courtesy Patrick Sweeney

Finding Freedom on Your Bike as an Adaptive Cyclist

Posted 03/27/23 by Patrick Sweeney in Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, People with Disabilities, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

My name is Patrick, and I am an adaptive cyclist. That means I cycle, but I do it on a type of bike that works with my disability. I have left-sided hemiparesis. That means my movement, balance and vision are impaired on my left side. But, my hemiparesis doesn’t stop me from cycling. Adaptive cycling is a great sport for people with disabilities, because it brings a sense of freedom.

Joe Rebar and Carol Walter on the trail | Photo courtesy Joe Rebar

Trail Moments | Biking Through Triumphs and Troubles

Posted 03/15/23 by Laura Stark in Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, People with Disabilities, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

“I only go on rail-trails now,” Carol said. “They make me feel safer because I don’t have to be watching for cars and traffic. And I can’t go very fast—I have to go slow so that I can see.”

On the Appalachian Trail in 2021 | Photo courtesy Retha Charette

Hiking Hacks: Long-Distance Prep Tips and Tricks for Rail-Trails 101

Posted 02/14/23 by Retha Charette in Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, Health and Active Living, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

A long-distance hike can truly be the adventure of a lifetime. With rail-trail thru hiking becoming more and more popular every day, I wanted to share some knowledge I’ve learn over the many years and thousands of miles I’ve spent on hiking and rail-trails about the world.

Betzy Salcedo, Brenda Hamilton and Kathleen Richardson at the end of a ride from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., via the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath. | Photo by Joseph Richardson

Trail Moments | Cycling for Life

Posted 02/13/23 by Kathleen Richardson in Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Cycling on America’s rail-trails has been an integral part of my journey—helping me to survive PH physically as well as emotionally. I’m so glad these trails exist, and I look forward to another 20 years of riding them.

Will Oldaker (far right) and his family drove hours to experience the Blue Ridge Tunnel in Virginia; traveling with him (left to right) were his mother Lyn Oldaker, his children Traci and Riley, and his wife Beth. | Photo by Nancy Sorrells

Blue Ridge Tunnel Accessibility Day Makes Dreams Come True

Posted 12/27/22 by in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with People with Disabilities, Virginia, Walkability and Bikeability

Closer to home, the trio of Amy and Greg Eye and Barbara Ramsey live in the western shadow of Afton Mountain through which the 4,264-foot tunnel passes, accessible via the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail.

Rail Arts District along the Napa Valley Vine Trail in California | Photo courtesy Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition

Record-Breaking Investments in California’s Trails Amid Major Demand

Posted 11/14/22 by Laura Cohen, Heather Irish in America's Trails | Tagged with BATC, California, Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, Funding, TrailNation, Walkability and Bikeability

The start of 2022 brought a significant opportunity for California trails and ended in a historic victory—as the state announced a $1 billion+ investment for trails and active transportation for fiscal year (FY) 2023.

Packed up for the return trip at Morgan's Riverside Campground | Photo courtesy McKinney Middle School

Ohio Students Venture Into the Wild

Posted 11/09/22 by Anietra Hamper in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with How-to, Ohio, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

“We should be exposing our students to lifelong physical activity and should be helping them develop the skills and confidence to enjoy those activities,” said Jack Hatert, principal of McKinney Middle School. “Our schools are the heartbeat of a cycling community, and we have to pass the passion on to our students.”

Photo courtesy Albert Ting

#TrailMoments with Albert Ting (@pootie_ting)

Posted 10/06/22 by Albert Ting in Trail Use, America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with District Of Columbia, ebike, Encouraging Trail Use, Great American Rail-Trail, Health and Active Living, Mode Shift, Trail Businesses, Trail Destinations, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

For me, the positive impact that going car-free has on air quality, reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing traffic congestion far outweighs the benefits of owning a car.

Photo by Micheli Oliver

#TrailMoments with Vanessa @vanessa_chav

Posted 09/14/22 by Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada in Trail Use | Tagged with Great American Rail-Trail, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Here, being outdoors seems associated with having the right type of gear, body, ability, partners and knowledge. I am grateful for my multicultural upbringing because it has allowed me to challenge this perception, and expand the narrative of who belongs outdoors. (Spoiler: everyone belongs outdoors!)

Along the Great Rivers Greenway trail network in St. Louis, Missouri. | Photo courtesy Great Rivers Greenway

Swap Out a Car Trip for a Trail Trip With These Tips and Tricks

Posted 08/31/22 by Ryan Chao, Amy Kapp in Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Bike Commuting, Biking, ebike, Gear, How-to, Mode Shift, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?, Winter Uses

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is embarking on an eight-week “Swap-a-Trip” challenge. Beginning Sept. 6, #TeamRTC will explore new ways to embrace active transportation by swapping car trips with walking, bicycling and other self-propelled activities—while getting the physical and mental health benefits to boot. Whether it’s to reduce your carbon footprint, or steep gas prices have got you down—we hope you will consider swapping a car trip for a walk or a bike ride. Here is a collection of tips and advice, brought to you from RTC, to change up that daily car commute or errand run while embracing trails, active transportation and a more active lifestyle.

Aerial view of the Mather Trestle along South Carolina's Spanish Moss Trail | Photo courtesy of the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail

South Carolina’s Spanish Moss Trail

Posted 08/03/22 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Health and Active Living, South Carolina, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Aptly named for the moss-draped oaks along the route, the woodsy sections of the Spanish Moss Trail provide a cool respite in the South Carolina summers. As it winds 10 miles through Beaufort County on the state’s southern coastline, numerous bridges over salt marshes and small streams provide picturesque views and the chance to see pink-hued roseate spoonbills or snowy white egrets wading in the shallows.