Supporting Bicycle and Pedestrian Development
Communities that are designed to accommodate active modes of transportation such as walking and biking are significantly more physically active than those that lack sidewalks, bike lanes and trails. The Sports Backers are stepping up to address the lack of these facilities by creating Bike Walk RVA—a regional program of the Sports Backers to support bike and pedestrian friendly policies, programs and infrastructure projects.
The Sports Backers work with area leaders and public works staff to fund and install bike lanes, trails and sidewalks. We will mobilize volunteer and community support for these projects so they are built and used. The strength of the program will be based on the extent that volunteers can be recruited and utilized to develop grass roots support for projects.
The Bike Walk RVA program will maintain a list of projects the organization is currently working on at any given time. The organization will host an annual bike summit to solicit input and feedback on projects among individuals and area partners. Open Streets events will be held annually to promote active modes of transportation and healthy living.
The Sports Backers will measure the success of the Bike Walk RVA program by measuring the total miles of bike lanes, paved trails and dirt trails added each year. The Sports Backers are in the process of documenting and evaluating the status of all existing bike lanes and trails (paved and dirt) in the region.
Fall 2012 Priority Projects
- Reviewing all bike lanes and trails in the region
- Completion of the Virginia Capital Trail
- Adding bike lanes to Mayo Island Bridge
- Measuring and marking the James River Park trails
- Adding bike lanes to the Route 10 corridor from Route 1 to Womack Road
- Providing bike and pedestrian access to and from the new Huguenot Bridge
