Reasons to Promote Rail Trail Development

Below are my “Top 10 11 12 13 Reasons to Promote Rail Trail Development.”

1. Provide free access to recreational opportunities with healthy benefits
2. Stimulate economic development: retain and attract businesses, stimulate new business
3. Increase property values by making communities more desirable
4. Increase recreational tourism
5. Preserve and highlight early transportation routes
6. Provide routes for alternative transportation to work, school, or town
7. Provide a site for special activities as benefit runs, biking clinics, etc.
8. Reestablish the links between small towns that once thrived with railroad activities
9. Help build community partnerships
10. Provide environmental benefits by protecting natural resources and habitats
11. Provide educational opportunities both historical and environmental
12. Enhance the marketability of the locale
13. Rail trails are lots of fun!

For additional supporting information on the positive effects of Rail Trail development click the links below.

Rail to Trails Conservancy

York County Rail Trail Authority

C&O Canal Trail - Williamsport, MD

Last week, I came across an article on one of my favorite towns along the C&O Canal Trail,



Williamsport, MD.  The article which is linked below focused on business owners in Williamsport's plan to attract tourists. This tourist has been attracted to Williamsport since my first bicycle trip down the C&O Canal. Beautiful town located next to the Potomac River. I have enjoyed pizza at Tony's Pizza Time Cafe, coffee and sandwich at Desert Rose Cafe and had my bicycle serviced at River City Cycles. However what made me a fan of Williamsport, MD were the people.

I recommend that anyone planning a trip along the C&O Canal Trail plan a stop in Williamsport, MD.

Business owners: Williamsport's plan to attract tourists is working.

Rail Trail Expansion Continues To Grow

Humboldt County, CA hopes to continue the trend of recent rail trail expansion by proposing the conversion of a 145 mile line between Humboldt County and Willits. Below is an excerpt and link to the full article.

Humboldt County group pushes rail-to-trail conversion

By GLENDA ANDERSON
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

It's been 13 years since a freight train rumbled along the precarious 145-mile line between Willits and Humboldt Bay.

Now, reflecting a nationwide trend, a Humboldt County group is proposing that the decrepit, rock slide-prone railroad tracks that run through the steep Eel River Canyon be converted into trails for hikers, bikers and equestrians.

“Unless they find a way to bring rail service back, they ought to allow us to turn it into a trail,” said Chris Weston, a teacher, real estate investor and founder of the fledgling Eel River Trails Association.

Click here to read the entire article.

League of American Bicyclists * National Bike Summit

National Bike Summit
March 8-10, 2011
Grand Hyatt|Metro Center|D.C.

Acting on a simple solution - national bike Summit

There are more people riding bikes than ever. Yet half of all U.S. trips are three miles or less, and more than 90 percent are made by car. The National Bike Summit has improved bicycle-friendliness and livability in many communities, but the need and opportunity to improve physical activity, safety and livability in the U.S., while reducing congestion, greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on oil – remains greater today than a decade ago.

League of American Bicyclists * National Bike Summit