New Bike 76 Corridor Study

Thomas Jefferson Planning District is undertaking a corridor study of US Bike Route 76, the TransAmerica Trail, through Louisa, Fluvanna, Albemarle and Nelson counties, and Charlottesville.

The 3 phase study will inventory existing route conditions, initiate a promotional campaign and recommend roadway safety improvements. The Virginia Bicycling Federation Long Distance Routes Committee and Adventure Cycling Association are assisting with the study as needed.

The corridor study is a unique initiative on a Planning District level in Virginia. It could be a model for the other six Planning Districts USBR 76 crosses in its 576 mile path through the Commonwealth.

The study is part of the 2014 scope of work of the Planning District’s Rural Transportation Committee. The Committee members were presented honorary USBR 76 Virginia pins (pictured above) at its February 17, 2014 meeting, on behalf of VBF by Long Distance Routes Chair Joe Morgan. Information that will be useful for the study is:

• confirmation of funding sources for roadway safety bicycling facilities;
• documentation of the economic impact of bicycle touring and recreation; and,
• examples of effective on-line or social media promotion of long distance bicycle routes.

Comments and suggestions may be sent to Will Cockrell (wcockrell@tjpdc.org), lead staff for the study.

VBF is seeking a volunteer monitor in each Planning District of USBR 76 signage, safety and bicycle friendly businesses & attractions. If interested, contact Joe Morgan (jnmorgan@pulaskicounty.org).

Related Articles:

• The Barbara Pinter Memorial Fund
• Bike 76 Loses Rest Stop as Virginian Markette Burns
• ECG’s Tony Barrett Earns Transamerica Trail Pin
• 2010 Cross-State Ride Slideshow
• AASHTO Approves New U.S. Bicycle Routes