More People Cycling Than Ever, But Where Can They Do It Safely?

First posted on 08-07-2008

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Offers Online Trail-Finder

We know high gas prices are driving more people toward cycling than ever before, and that bicycle popularity is rising. But it’s not enough just to suggest to option-hungry commuters that they can bicycle. You need to show them where they can bicycle safely.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) powers the premier online trail-finder TrailLink.com—a free resource for cyclists across the country to plan their routes using convenient off-road rail-trails as the backbone of their trip. TrailLink.com users can search for trails by entering their zip code, state, or checking out the national rail-trail map that zooms down to show either an individual trail or an entire regional trail network.

Nearly half of the more than 1,500 rail-trails nationwide have been mapped—that’s 11,000 miles of off-road cycling options—and more are being added every day. Plus, many of these routes connect to on-road bikeways, making a commute by bike that much more feasible.

With Google’s “Walk There” application exciting pedestrians, TrailLink.com offers another layer of in-demand information for cyclists looking for safe and easily accessible ways to get to work, school and other important destinations.

“I recently took up bicycling as a way to get outdoors and to get to work,” says Misha Heller, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy member and Washington, D.C., cyclist. “I love using TrailLink.com to find new trails in the metro area to explore and to help me put more miles on my bike! It’s easy to use and such a great service for a new cyclist.”

Along with a national map and interactive trail maps, TrailLink.com hosts individual trail descriptions, photos, user reviews and detailed directions to access trails. Registration is free to public.

“We’re very excited about the success of our mapping initiative to date,” says Frederick Schaedtler, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s director of information technology. “We now have GIS coverage in all 50 states, including most high-density urban areas. Our mapping efforts are now focused on the remaining open trails to ensure that Traillink.com will continue to provide the highest quality trail information for all recreational and commuting trail users”

For more information on TrailLink.com, and to arrange for interviews with experts on TrailLink.com, safe cycling and livable communities, call Katie Test at 202.974.5152.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization with more than 100,000 members, is the nation’s largest trails organization dedicated to connecting people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails, many from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Founded in 1986, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s national office is located in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in California, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For more information visit http://www.railstotrails.org.”