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TX: Plano Completing Bike Plan2/3/12"A short video about how Plano is encouraging cycling, including an interview with Brian Bedingfield, a member of the BikeDFW Board and Plano Bicycle Association." more... Summit County Council Considering Towpath Grant2/2/12"...a $75,000 grant to the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition (OECC) for coordination and support of the Summit County Trail & Greenway Plan. "...On a related note, Summit County Executive Russ Pry told Council an event marking the completion of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail in Summit County will be held July 7, most likely at Lock 3 Park." more... IL: Springfield-Sangamon County Creating Bike Plan"The Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission is in the early stages of creating a bicycle and pedestrian plan for rural parts of the county. "The goal will be to link rural communities. Plans could include dedicated bicycle/walking trails or a bike lane on roadways, said Linda Wheeland, senior planner at the regional planning commission." more... FL: Many Students Hit By Cars In Velusia School District2/2/12"Two students involved in automobile accidents in West Volusia this morning, Feb. 2, were the 16th and 17th students to be hit by cars on their way to or from school during this school year." more... Breaking News: Bike/Ped Amendment Defeated2/2/12"The bipartisan Petri/Johnson/Lipinski amendment was defeated by a narrow 27-29 vote." more... The Long View On Trail Funding2/1/12"The current crisis in funding for trails and other bicycle-pedestrian programs has created another big partnership problem. Why is one trails program funded but Enhancements are not? "...The new House transportation bill specifically attacks programs for bikeways, walking, state bike programs, rail trails, and safe routes to school. The reason the Recreational Trails Program seems to be spared (this week, anyway), is probably because it is tied to a specific aspect of the federal fuel tax: gas burned by OHVs, snowmobiles, hunters, and others driving off-highway on our public lands." more... Arizona Considers 'Idaho Stop' Law"A bill currently in the Arizona State House of Representatives, called HB2211, would change Arizona traffic law to mirror the Idaho Stop as Yield law. "The bill is currently in the Rules Committee, and there is the possibility that the head of that committee, Jerry Weiers (R-Glendale), may allow it to languish there because he opposes it." more... More News...
US Rep. Bob Gibbs On Transportation Bill1/30/12"...This is going to give states more flexibility," Gibbs said Monday, indicating that the proposal eliminates the mandate and gives states control over the funds they receive. "There are so many projects going on nationally and people at the state level are better judges of what is needed. It isn't up to some Washington bureaucrat to decide this." "...Gibbs added that Ohio officials can decide to maintain its present funding levels for trail and bikeway projects." more... Clinton County Trail Plans Move Forward1/30/12"The Clinton-Fayettte Friendship Trail was approved in a split vote by the Clinton County commissioners Monday afternoon, putting a two-year plan to build the controversial bike trail through Sabina into action. "The Clinton County Park District (CCPD) is now actively pursuing a Clean Ohio Trail Fund grant worth $500,000 and a Transportation Enhancement grant worth $1.2 million to pay for Phase I of the bike trail, which will stretch from Melvin Road to Borum Road, near the Clinton-Fayette county line." more... Read a previous post on this topic. Adopt-A-Trail Progaram For Little Miami Trail1/30/12"If you are one of the many bikers, hikers or runners who enjoy the nearly 50 mile-long Little Miami State Park [trail], you may notice a cleaner and safer environment this year. "A non-profit organization, Friends of the Little Miami State Park (FLMSP), has enlisted volunteers in its Adopt-a-Trail program to maintain and to be a watchdog for the entire length of the trail. And they are looking to complete more ambitious projects in the future." more... Action Alert! Save Biking & Walking"On Thursday, February 2, the House Transportation Committee will vote on the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, a bill that eliminates crucial funds for biking and walking. "This long-awaited multi year transportation bill eliminates the two largest programs that fund biking and walking infrastructure-Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School. Without these programs, communities all over the country will lose resources to build the sidewalks, crosswalks, and bikeways that make biking and walking safe and accessible in communities across the country." more... Body Found Along Little Miami Trail1/30/12"An autopsy has revealed the body found along a bike trail Sunday morning was that of a man who commited suicide. "The body is a white man in his mid-50s. He was found by a resident along a bike trail near Corry Street at 8 a.m. Sunday, according to Yellow Springs police investigator Naomi Penrod." more... PA Passes '4 Feet' Bill1/30/12"A bill sits on the Pennsylvania governor's desk that would make the state the 20th to require that motorists give bicycle riders 3 or more feet when passing. "In Pennsylvania's case, it would be the first to require a 4-foot margin. It also makes it a crime to turn into the path of a bicyclist." more... House Releases Transportation Bill Preview"The House of Representatives released a preview of its version of the federal transportation funding bill. "Like the Senate bill announced in November, the House version eliminates the requirement for states to spend highway funds on such programs as Trails, Safe Routes to School, and Enhancements. "Advocates in Washington, DC urge you contact your Representative and stress the importance of dedicated funding for these essential programs that make trails and active transportation possible." more... Trail Grants Awarded To MN & ND1/29/12"Trails in North Dakota and Minnesota are receiving grants through a program from the National Park Service. "In North Dakota, the Fort Union Trading Post and Knife River Historic Villages national historic sites received a $64,500 grant to promote distance learning along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail." more... 4 New Trails Coming To Akron Area1/28/12"Four new bike trails will be constructed in the Greater Akron area thanks to action by AMATS. The agency's Policy Committee approved nearly $2.5 million to develop two trails in Portage County and two in Summit County during its Jan. 26 meeting. "The four trails, project sponsors and funding amounts are..." more... USA Cycling Awarks 20K In Grants1/27/12"Each year, USA Cycling recognizes outstanding cycling programs with cash grants through the USA Cycling Development Foundation Centers of Excellence program. "In 2011, ten programs were designated as Centers of Excellence, based on organizational criteria and performance results in developing junior and U23 athletes." more... More News...
Marion County Cuts Parks Funding1/27/12"Marion county officials support continued development of the Marion Tallgrass Trail - but not with county money. "However, they threw their support behind an application for state grant funding Thursday. "...A few minutes later, the Marion County Board of Commissioners deappropriated 2012 funding for the parks district." more... IL: Old Plank Road Trail Breakthrough1/27/12"...Finally, the end is in sight, with the news this month that the city of Chicago Heights has signed off on a preliminary engineering report for a multi-use trail across the missing link [for the Old Plank Road Trail], an event that supporters are describing as an "all systems go" announcement. "As advocates note, it took the terms of four Chicago Height mayors to reach this point. Current Mayor David Gonzalez's commitment to the project continued the momentum generated by his predecessor, Alex Lopez, and Alderman Willie White. Both Lopez and White have since passed away. The completion of the Old Plank Road Trail will be just part of both men's significant legacy." more... Kansas City Passes Bike Share Resolution1/26/12"Just moments ago, Kansas City, Mo., took a giant leap toward a healthy, vibrant and economically sustainable future by passing a resolution to permit the establishment of a bike-share program this year." more... Columbus Cyclists Call For Speeding Up Bike Plan1/26/12"A bicycling-advocacy group that helped write a 2008 plan to expand bike lanes on Columbus streets now is calling on city officials to speed things up. "The city needs to move more quickly on designating bikes-only lanes Downtown, said Jeff Stephens, executive director of Consider Biking, a group that has encouraged Columbus and other central Ohio cities to think about cyclists as they plan their road projects. "Consider Biking has started a campaign called "Connect the Core," which seeks supporters' signatures on petitions pushing for bike lanes on nine Downtown streets, including 3rd, 4th, Spring and Long streets." more... Westerville Residents Wary Of Bridge Plan1/25/12"Residents in attendance were less than enthusiastic about a proposed bike bridge over County Line Road. "On Thursday, Jan. 19 about 50 residents attended an informal public meeting at the Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave., that showcased plans for the bridge to carry the Westerville Bikeway over the busy thoroughfare. "...Are there other alternatives? What are the needs?" said Larry Shaw, a resident of Nature Trail. Shaw said he favors a traffic signal that would only be in use when activated by someone using the bikeway, which runs from Schrock Road to Maxtown Road along a former railroad right of way." more... MORPC Updating Central OH Transportation Plan1/25/12"Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission representative Amelia Constanzo told city officials last week that any transportation-related projects a community anticipates starting in the next 20 years should be included on the 2012 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). "The plan is updated every four years. Constanzo said it is important because federal transportation dollars are distributed based on information in the MTP." more... Recreational Trails Program In Trouble"The Recreational Trails Program is in very deep trouble. The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has approved transportation reauthorization legislation known as MAP-21 that would effectively eliminate the RTP by stripping the program of its dedicated funding. "...The Coalition for Recreational Trails and its member organizations have been working to identify key Champions in the Senate with the aim of having an amendment to restore dedicated funding for the RTP added to the bill before it is considered by the full Senate. "Reaching this goal will not be possible without your help." more... Bicyclist Risk By State1/24/12"Oregon has the highest rate of bicycle commuting in the 50 states, but South Dakota is the safest state for cycling. "Those are just a couple of findings in the extensive Benchmarking Report for 2012 issued this week by the appropriately named Alliance for Biking and Walking. "The report ranks the state and big cities on levels of bicycling and walking, the comparative risks of those pursuits, and funding for non-motor vehicle transportation." more... IN: Batesville Receives Trail Grants1/24/12"When Batesville residents were surveyed in 2009 about future park upgrades, "the No. 1 thing people wanted was trails," Batesville Parks and Recreation Board President Bob Fitzpatrick pointed out Jan. 18." more... National Parks Improvements Includes Trails1/24/12"Millions of dollars are flowing to the National Park System for work on aging roads, multiple-use trails in need of some TLC, and transportation systems thanks to the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in the Parks program overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation." more... Williamsburg-Batavia Construction Slated This Year"Work is scheduled to begin this summer on the newest section of biking and hiking trail connecting portions of Clermont County. "The Williamsburg-Batavia Hike/Bike Trail will ultimately be 13 miles long linking the two communities through East Fork State Park." more... Read a previous post on this topic. Sabina Trail Opposition"Sabina Village Council member Bill Lewis met with the board of commissioners Wednesday to discuss his opposition to an impending bike trail slated to run through Sabina. "Members of the Clinton County Park District met with commissioners last week to discuss construction funding for the Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail, a financial commitment that is needed by the end of the month. The district is interested in pursuing a Clean Ohio Trail Fund (COTF) grant worth $500,000 and a Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant worth $1.1 million to pay for Phase I of a bike trail that would go through Sabina. "...Lewis, who has spoken out against the trail in the past, revisited a number of reasons for his opinion, including the potential for the bike trail to impede on Sabina's railroad." more... Read a previous post on this subject. IN: Shelbyville Discusses Trails1/24/12"Local bike enthusiasts are invited to a meeting Feb. 1 with Community Aspiration to discuss the possibility of building new bike trails both in Shelbyville and beyond. "...Currently, there are two bike trail expansion proposals connected to Shelbyville, though both are still in very early stages, organizers stress." more... KY: Louisville Looks To Complete 100-Mile Trail1/23/12"The Kentucky Public Service Commission today approved a land exchange that is expected to result in the completion of a 100-mile hiking and biking trail in Louisville." more... NY: Linking Rochester Campuses By Trail1/23/12"With small modifications, a proposed "Access 390" highway project could bind Rochester's three major universities with several multi-use trails and bikeways and move us toward a future that is more ecological, economical, healthful and energy-independent. "It could really happen-but we have to ask for it!" more... Railbanking Success Story In TX"...In 1993, Denton officials struck a deal with Union Pacific (UP) to secure rights to an abandoned stretch of freight track running eight miles into the city from the southeast. The line was once part of the renowned Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, also known as the Katy. ..."We always recognized we had to preserve this corridor for future transportation uses," says Bob Tickner, city of Denton superintendent of parks planning, who in 1993 was involved in negotiating the purchase from UP. "We knew it would one day become passenger rail, we just didn't know when." more... FL: Lawmakers Consider Naming Rights For Trails1/20/12"Coming soon to a bike trail, public school cafeteria or Turnpike exit ramp near you: Corporate naming rights? "That may soon be the case, if lawmakers pass a number of proposed bills making their way through the Capitol. "Behind the idea is Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, who says the state needs to find creative ways to bring in money without raising taxes." more... 3 States Working On 3-Feet Law1/19/12"Bicycle advocates in Pennsylvania are pushing for a bill that would require drivers give cyclists 4 feet of clearance when they pass. "...California advocates also are seeking new 3-foot legislation this year after last year's veto, and a Nebraska legislator has introduced HB 1030 that requires a 3 feet when passing a bicyclist." more... NY: Trail Link Across The Hudson1/19/12"Preliminary work will begin soon on connecting the Walkway Over the Hudson with the Dutchess County Rail Trail, which many believe will boost tourism and economic development in the Poughkeepsie and Highland areas. "Completing the gap between the two recreational attractions is expected to draw more walkers, bicyclists and inline skaters to both, as well as the Hudson Valley Rail Trail in the Town of Lloyd. "A deal was reached this week to make the long-sought connection a reality. CSX railroad has agreed to sell the eight-tenths of a mile stretch to the Walkway Over the Hudson nonprofit organization for $1,150,000." more... Read a previous post on this topic. Funding Sought For Columbus Connector1/18/12"Work could begin as early as next year on a paved multi-use trail connecting the Olentangy Parklands with the Shops at Worthington Place. "The 8- to 10-foot path would begin where the existing bike path ends in the parking drive to the Olentangy Parklands. It would follow along West Wilson Bridge Road to Old West Wilson Bridge Road, where it would become part of the roadway to the mall. It then would wrap around the mall and connect to the sidewalk at Wilson Bridge Road and North High Street. "The path is the first step in plans to someday connect the Olentangy bike trail with the Worthington Community Center on East Wilson Bridge Road." more... Mariemont Considers Hike/Bike Trails1/18/12"A contentious bike race proposal has inspired several Mariemont residents to transform some of the village's under-utilized land into a recreation spot with more than two miles of hike/bike trails. "Though council voted against hosting a cyclocross race in Mariemont, the idea spurred a renewed interest in creating trails in the village's south 80 acres, behind the pool on Mariemont Avenue, said volunteer Joe Stelzer." more... Heritage Trail Crossings Being Examined"Cyclists and walkers on Hilliard's Heritage Rail Trail hope that some city intervention will make crossing roads a little less treacherous. "The multiuse trail crosses three major roads - Cosgray, Leppert and Hayden Run. Crossing them can be like a game of Frogger, said Kathryn Shryne. "It's a very frightening place to cross." "Letty Schamp, a transportation engineer for Hilliard, said the city is aware of the problem and spent the fall collecting data on how the path is used, as well as traffic volume and speeds. "Shchamp hopes to have a plan completed by the spring, which could include asking Franklin County to lower the speed limits - now 45 mph north of the trail on Cosgray and Leppert and 55 mph on Hayden Run - or posting more police officers to enforce traffic laws." more... CVNP Grants Include Bike Connector1/18/12"...The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is getting $3,207,266 in federal grants for five projects tied to the tourist railroad. "...The biggest grant in the Cuyahoga Valley is $1,356,976 to build a new pedestrian-bicyclist bridge from the train's Rockside Station across the Cuyahoga River to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail at the Lock 39 Trailhead. "At present, bicyclists riding the train must negotiate traffic-filled streets to get from the train to the trail, and the new bridge will boost safety and convenience, officials said. "The new bridge would be just south of Rockside Road between Independence and Valley View." more... Gahanna Looking At New Bike Trail Section1/17/12"A Gahanna City Council members are mulling over the parks and recreation department's requests for environmental planning and surveying for the third section of the Big Walnut recreational trail. "...Collins said the city would receive a Recreational Trail Program grant for $150,000 for the third section of the trail if the project is completed by Dec. 31. "...Since 2009, the city has completed Sections 1, 2, 6 and 7 of the trail at a total cost to the city of $715,000. The city received grant funds of $979,000 for those sections." more... Springfield To Pursue Grants For Trail Land1/17/12"Commissioners unanimously approved an application for state funding Tuesday night that would buy land on which to build two missing portions of a Springfield recreation trail. "The application for more than $169,000 in Clean Ohio Trails funds would provide 75 percent of funding needed to link the Little Miami Recreation Trail - if approved by the Clean Ohio Council, according to the emergency ordinance." more... News Across The U.S.
Medina Trail Construction Underway1/16/12"A multipurpose walking and biking path will connect the southeastern portion of Medina to the downtown district by early summer. "The Champion Creek trail is a one-mile extension of an existing trail in Roscoe Ewing Park, which currently extends 1.3 miles. Bikers, walkers, and rollerbladers can use the trail. "The addition will stretch from E. Smith Road, a block from the square, to S. Broadway Street and then along Wadsworth Road, hooking up with Springbrook Drive and winding through Nichols Park before crossing Guilford Boulevard and connecting to the existing trail in Roscoe Ewing Park." more... GA: MTB Trail Constuction In Chatt-Bend Park1/16/12"Thanks to the commitment of individuals, construction should begin soon on a series of mountain bike trails at Chattahoochee Bend State Park. "The Chattahoochee Bend State Park Mountain Bike Club has formed and has already flagged nearly 13 miles of proposed trails. "The next step is getting the trail locations approved by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Then comes construction." more... VA: Rockingham County Looking To Connect Trails1/16/12"...Local bikers hope to connect lanes in the more dangerous parts of town to help keep bikers and drivers safe. "That's why Harris is part of Rockingham County's newly-formed bicycle advisory committee. The committee hopes to have a master bicycle plan to expand the city's trails, and to make dangerous intersections safer. "Harris said the City of Harrisonburg has worked for the past two decades to expand its biking trails, but he'd like to see more trails connect to make travel easier." more... WV: Recreation Projects Get Assistance1/15/12"The National Park Service is helping local communities implement more than 200 natural resource and recreational projects, including some in West Virginia. "Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the partnerships with the agency's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program this week as part of the America's Great Outdoors initiative." more... Galena Trails News Brief"...Galena collaborated with multi-jurisdictional groups to complete the Hoover Scenic Trail between Plumb and Wiese roads and to plan for the East Bank Trail around Hoover Reservoir. "A grant application is pending to complete the Ohio to Erie Trail along Galena's Brick Trail on the old railroad bed." Source: sunburynews.com Napa Valley Bike Plan Boasts 450 Trail Miles1/14/12"A 25-year plan for bicycling in the Napa Valley includes almost 450 miles of new bikeways and route improvements branching to all areas of the county and to main thoroughfares to the rest of the Bay Area. "The plan estimates that it will cost more than $60 million to complete the bikeways, which includes bike paths such as the Napa Valley Vine Trail, the Bay Trail, and the Bay Area Ridge Trail, and bike lanes and bike routes along state highways, county roads and city streets." more... Trail News From Across The U.S.Recent bike plan and trail news:
4 NE Ohio Recreation Projects Get Assistance1/13/12"The National Park Service on Thursday announced technical assistance to four recreational projects in Northeast Ohio. "The projects eligible for assistance from the park service's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program are..." more... Developing A Coastal Bikeway In CA1/12/12"Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's (RTC) Western Regional Office has been watching with great interest the progression of plans for a rail-trail along Monterey Bay in the Central Coast of California. "So too have the people of Santa Cruz County, and the champagne corks were well and truly popping with the announcement recently that the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC) had closed the deal to acquire the right-of-way beside the 32-mile Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line." more... UT Launches 1st E-Bike Share"The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is home to the nation's first automated electric bicycle (e-bike) sharing system. The pilot program is the subject of a research study by civil and engineering assistant professor Chris Cherry and Stacy Worley and David Smith from biosystems engineering. If successful, it may be adopted into a full-scale program by the university. "The system will introduce two bike sharing stations with ten bikes each-seven e-bikes and three bicycles. The first station is on Presidential Court. A second station is slated for installation on the Agriculture Campus." more... Sabina Considers Trail Funding Options1/12/12"Members of the Clinton County Park District met with the Clinton County commissioners Wednesday to discuss construction funding for the Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail, a financial commitment that is needed by the end of the month. "...The Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail is a joint project between the park district, the Tri-County Triangle Trails Association and Clinton County Trails Coalition (CCTC). The Friendship Trail will be the regional connector to this system via Sabina, Washington Court House and New Holland and points north, east and west via the Triangle Trails system." more... Genoa Trail Plans On Hold1/12/12"With no defined route in place, the Rails-to-Trails Committee has nixed plans to submit a funding application this year for the Genoa leg of the [NCIT] trail. "The committee has until Feb. 1 to turn in a pre-funding application to the state for the North Coast Inland Trail project that would link Genoa to Elmore. A more defined version is due in March." more... MA: Wayland Trail Group Making A Difference1/12/12"Conscious of the many benefits rail-trails bring to rural communities, the people of Wayland, Mass., about 20 miles west of Boston, are taking a proactive approach toward developing a rail-trail in their region." more... Top Stories From 20111/12/12We took a look back at the top stories from 2011. Though a case can be made that our ranking order is not perfect, the main objective was to include the most prominent stories and events. more... MS: Rail Company Donates 21-Mile Corridor For Trail1/10/12"Patriot Rail Corp. has demonstrated a tremendous community spirit by donating a section of unused rail corridor to the people of Mississippi for conversion into a rail-trail. "The 21-mile portion of the Mississippi and Skuna Valley (MSV) Railroad line runs through Calhoun and Yalobusha counties in north-central Mississippi. Calhoun County Board of Supervisors accepted the property donation last month, establishing the Mississippi and Skuna Valley Rails to Trails Recreational District. Since the MSV also traverses Yalobusha County, Calhoun County entered into a joint agreement with Yalobusha County for the project." more... Progress Report: Ohio River Trail"The ORT has been talked about since the mid to late nineties! Over the past few years, it has started to gain a lot of momentum. Notice from the City of Cincinnati Bike Program, plan update, you can see the progress from 2011 going into 2012. "Still a long way to go, but it really seems to be moving at a nice pace. 
"I accidentally happened to find a pretty cool video for one of the current phases of the Ohio River Trail on the City of Cincinnati's Transportation Department website. It's the segment from Corbin St. to Collins Ave. [Video shows a virtual fly over of completed trail section.] "I presume the Army Corp will have to be involved with this segment because of the bank stabilization along the Ohio River. Their cost estimate for this approximately 1 mile segment, is $1.5 to $2 million. "Just a hunch, but I think it will cost more than that. Check out the video [link below]. Click on the start arrow and it will expand to video. [149 mg download.] http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/noncms/transeng/media/OhioRiverTrail-122011.wmv "Additional info on Corbin to Collins (proposed trail alignment)." Submitted by: Jeff Westrich PA Rail Trail Continues To Face Hurdles1/9/12"...It has been 22 years since the railroad company Conrail filed to officially abandon a section of the Enola Branch rail line, which runs through the townships of Bart, Sadsbury, Conestoga, Eden, Providence and Martic. "In that time, widespread support for the conversion of the 23-mile section of rail corridor into a multi-use trail has been held up by costly and complex legal proceedings and title disputes, which has in turn delayed funding applications." more... Columbus Driver Rams Cyclists"I guess the time comes with every cyclist where you are hit by a car. Saturday night was my closest call yet, as a group of seven people I was riding with in Columbus OH was plowed into from behind at speed, perhaps at 35 mph. "Two lanes in either direction with a center turning lane, no traffic at all, sharrows painted on the road, and easily 10 blinkie lights between the 7 people. We were riding in a tight group, taking up no more than 2 or 3 parking spaces length of road in one lane. "No sounds of brakes, no sounds of the engine, the first notice any of us in the tight group had was a loud bang with the impact with the first rider and then the actual crash..." more Submitted by: Marty Crawford Williamsburg to Batavia Trail Progress Report1/7/12"[The Williamsburg-Batavia Trail] is being developed in Clermont County, next county over to the east of Cincinnati, from Williamsburg through East Fork Lake State Park to Batavia. "The first phase is complete, the second phase is to begin summer of 2012, and the third phase is in the works. "The video (below) is dull but gives some good information regarding the phases of the trail. I've been on the trail and it is a nice scenic trail (only 2.5 miles currently)." Submitted by: Jeff Westrich Armleder Park Trail To Link To Ohio-to-Erie Trail"Armleder Park is a joint venture between the Cincinnati Park Board, Cincinnati Recreation Commission and the Hamilton County Park District. Over the past year, they have been working on a connection between the Armleder Park and Lunken Airport Trail. "It was supposed to have been completed by now, but all the rain delayed the project. With the added connector, it will total almost 8 miles between the two and will eventually connect to the Little Miami Scenic Trail." Here's a link to Cincinnati biking info and below is a map of all the present and future trail connections in the east Cincinnati region. (Click to enlarge.) 
Submitted by: Jeff Westrich Possible Extension For The Simon Kenton Trail"Superintendent Kris Myers gave the Joint Recreation Board an update on the possible extension of the Simon Kenton Bike Path into Logan County and Bellefontaine at a regular meeting Tuesday." more... Minneapolis Continues To Lead As Best Biking City1/5/12"After being acclaimed as America's best city for biking in 2010, what can you possibly do for an encore? "In the case of Minneapolis, Minn., you do even more bicycling--and more walking, too. "People here biked and walked 16 percent more in 2011 than in 2010, when Minneapolis was crowned "#1 Bike City" by Bicycling magazine. St. Paul, and a number of inner-ring suburbs nearby, showed similar growth. "Biking rose 22 percent across the Twin Cities compared to 2010, according to data just released by Bike Walk Twin Cities (BWTC). And it's up a whopping 53 percent since 2007, when the organization began counting bicyclists and pedestrians at 42 locations from Beltline Blvd. in St. Louis Park to Larpenteur Avenue in Falcon Heights." more... CA Restructuring "3-Foot" Bill1/5/12"...After lawmakers rejected the proposal for several years, they finally passed the law -- Senate Bill 910 -- last fall, only to have Gov. Jerry Brown veto it. "Now, the bike coalition is going back. "In a recent newsletter, CalBike said they'll reintroduce the measure in a form that Brown said he would sign in his Oct. 7 veto message. That's when Brown explained that he supports the 3-foot buffer, but objected to a provision that gave motorists the option to slow down to 15 mph to pass instead." more... FL: Lakeland Plans For 5 New Trails1/5/12"As it stands currently, Lakeland is already a pretty cool bike town. But it could be even more bike friendly if the city gets funding from the state in the next few years. "City commissioners voted 7-0 on Tuesday to approve five new bike trails in the city." more... NY: Trail Completion May Lead To Hudson River Link1/4/12"...The completion of the Dutchess Rail Trail will no doubt draw attention to the exciting possibility of connecting the Dutchess to the remarkable Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, and on to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail on the opposite side of the Hudson River. "The Dutchess Rail Trail and the Walkway Over the Hudson are separated by just one mile of unused rail corridor. However, negotiations between Dutchess County and CSX Transportation Corp., the owners of the corridor, have not yet resulted in a sale or transfer of the property." more... Fees Considered For MTB Trails In Georgia"Mountain bikers soon may have to pay for access to the bike trails at Ft. Yargo State Park. "Because of several successive years of budget cuts, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is considering charging a new mountain bike trail fee at Ft. Yargo, Hard Labor Creek and Unicoi state parks. "The proposal includes the options of a $2 single-visit fee or a $25 annual pass that would provide year-round access to all state park bike trails." more... Ireland: Ballyhoura Trails Generate £2.5M For Local Economy"Research by Millward Brown Ulster reveals the importance of the Ballyhoura Mountain Biking Trails in generating £2.5m for the local economy. "In August this year, Fáilte Ireland in conjunction with Coillte and Ballyhoura Fáilte commissioned Millward Brown Ulster to undertake an extensive research project to investigate the potential return on investment of the Ballyhoura Mountain Biking facilities located in North Cork & East Limerick." more... Bike-Hike Realignment To Be Completed This Year1/4/12"North Summit County -- Users of the Summit County Metroparks' Bike and Hike Trail received some good news in 2011 when work began on a long-planned, $2.53-million, one-mile realignment of the trail around Brandywine Falls. "However, the project would not be completed last year as expected. "...However, installation of the bridge -- the final part of the project -- has been delayed until after February." more... NY: Bicycle Sundays Program Saved1/3/12"In New York's Westchester County Sundays have been the day for biking, but a cut to public funding put the popular program, that closes 6.5 miles of road to motorized vehicles on Sundays, in jeopardy. "Fortunately, in late December, the Friends of Westchester County Parks and Con Edison announced a public and private partnership that will save the popular Bicycle Sundays program..." more TX: Columbia Tap Rail Trail"If there wasn't already a Motor City in America, Houston would surely vie for the title. Cars and trucks play such a central role in this sprawling metropolis that, until recently, cyclists and pedestrians here were viewed as strange or foolish-or both. "But a combination of enlightened leadership and government investment is starting to change that. As an article in the Houston Chronicle in 2010 noted, "This city ruled by the combustion engine is beginning, tentatively, to recognize that walking and biking are legitimate forms of transportation, and beginning to give them a little infrastructure of their own." more... Kentuckiana River Trail Faces Hurdles"...But even as another piece of the Kentuckiana River Trail is finished, completion of the full nine-mile pedestrian and bicycle loop between Louisville and Southern Indiana is anything but certain because of financial challenges and the Norfolk Southern Railroad's resistance to allowing use of the K&I Bridge for the trail's western river crossing. "As envisioned by officials on both sides of the river, the trail would cross the Big Four Bridge and the K&I Bridge and run between them along the completed Riverwalk in Louisville on the Kentucky side and through Jeffersonville, Clarksville and New Albany along part of the seven-mile Ohio River Greenway in Indiana." more... Ohio Hiker Found Unhurt On Mt. Washington"A northwestern Ohio man was found unhurt on a hiking trail on New Hampshire's Mount Washington after his family had not heard from him for more than two days. "David Deubner, 67, of Montpelier, last spoke to family and friends Tuesday morning, before starting a solo multiday hike. But he usually checks in, and when he didn't, a friend made a call for help Thursday." more... Trail Added To New Zealand Cycling Network1/2/12"The pioneering Central Otago cycleway is to be enrolled into the Government's national network of bike trails. "The renowned Otago Central Rail Trail along a 156km former rail corridor between Middlemarch and Clyde is seen as a benchmark for 18 other clusters of "great rides" being developed for more than $80 million as Nga Haerenga - the New Zealand Cycle Trail." more... For more news, visit the 2011 Archive. 
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Latest Blog..."Reoccurring stories or themes defined the news scene for 2011. So, along with our usual countdown of the "top stories" comes several news trends as well..." |
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