Bill Lohmann Explores VA Trails by Bike

TheWalkman June 7, 2011

Richmond Times Dispatch columnist Bill Lohmann enjoys exploring Virginia on two wheels. Here’s his take on riding the Virginia Creeper and other off road trails across the Commonwealth.

(Just watch out for those fast closing cow gates!)

Huckleberry Trail Complete in 2-3 Years?

admin June 2, 2011 @vabike

Pedestrians and cyclists on the Huckleberry Trail

Since 1996, the Huckleberry Trail has provided Blacksburg and Christiansburg with a pleasant place to ride a bike, walk, run, or rollerblade away from traffic, and a vital non-motorized transportation link between Blacksburg and the New River Valley Mall.

Plans were always in place to extend the trail at both ends: past the mall and over Hwy. 114 to the Christiansburg Recreation Center; and through the Virginia Tech campus to the Jefferson National Forest.

It has taken a long time for all the pieces to fall into place, but now the entire trail may be completed in 2-3 years.

Mia Birk & Eric Weis to Speak in Richmond

admin June 2, 2011 @vabike

Thanks to citizens from across Virginia who attended the event this evening.

Special thanks to Eric Weiss for his overview of the Greenway, Tim Miller for updating us on the 2015 World Championship bid, Andy Clarke for his motivation to speak up and make a difference and Mia Birk for showing us how our community can be the next Portland.

Stay tuned for links to videos of the presentations.

Could Richmond be the next Portland? Learn how that city became a bicycling mecca, and what you can do to make your community more bikeable and walkable.

Featured speakers will include Mia Birk, the former Bicycle Program Manager and driving force behind Portland’s efforts to become one of the most bike friendly cities in the United States. Ms. Birk is now a principal with Alta Planning, and the author of “Joyride: Pedaling toward a Healthier Planet.”

Also featured is Eric Weis, Trail Coordinator for the East Coast Greenway (ECG). Mr. Weis will share his vision of developing a ~3000-mile bike and pedestrian route from Maine to Florida. Now over 25% complete, this off-road facility — which passes through the heart of Richmond — will connect 25 major cities along the East Coast.

June 21, 7-9 PM at the Science Museum of Virginia. Admission is free but seating is limited. Please RSVP at http://vbf.eventbrite.com

Virginia Capital Trail & Rt. 5 Corridor Study – Public Input Meeting

admin May 30, 2011 @vabike

Sorry for the short notice, but there’s a public input meeting on Tuesday, May 31, for a Route 5 Corridor Study, which includes the Virginia Capital Trail. This 55-mile trail will connect Richmond, Williamsburg, and Jamestown. From Beth Weisbrod:

We would like to remind you about an important meeting for anyone supporting the Virginia Capital Trail project. The Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, City of Richmond, Henrico County, GRTC Transit System, Virginia Department of Rail & Public Transportation, and VDOT are studying multimodal transportation improvements to benefit transit, commuters, bicyclists, and pedestrians. You will have an opportunity to hear a brief presentation, review the concepts, and provide your feedback and suggestions. Click here for details of the Rt. 5 Corridor Study. [continue reading…]