First Gentleman Adam Spanberger, Mayor Danny Avula, and State and Local Leaders Kick Off Bike Month

Bike enthusists gather to celebrate progress on the Fall Line and Virginia’s Statewide Trails Plan

Richmond, VA – First Gentleman Adam Spanberger and Richmond Mayor Danny Avula joined state and regional leaders today at Kanawha Plaza to launch Bike Month with a community celebration highlighting the transformational Fall Line trail and Virginia’s new Statewide Multiuse Trails Plan. The event was hosted in partnership with Sports Backers / Bike Walk RVA and brought together officials and advocates committed to expanding safe, accessible, and connected active transportation options across the Commonwealth. 

The Fall Line—a 43‑mile corridor stretching from Ashland to Petersburg—will connect seven Central Virginia localities and form the backbone of a growing regional trail network. The celebration also spotlighted Virginia’s Statewide Multiuse Trails Plan, which establishes a framework for identifying and connecting regional trail systems across the Commonwealth. 

“Bike Month celebrates how people move through their communities and connect along the way. Across Virginia, a growing network of trails is linking families to their schools, parks, jobs, and new opportunities,” said First Gentleman Adam Spanberger. “I hear from Virginians of all ages and in communities across the Commonwealth that this is exactly what they want, which makes the progress on the Fall Line so exciting.” 

As the Fall Line passes directly through Kanawha Plaza, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula emphasized the project’s significance for the city and region. 

“The Fall Line is a transformational opportunity for Richmond and for our entire region,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “As it comes through the heart of our city—including right through Kanawha Plaza—it will link neighborhoods, strengthen access to jobs and recreation, and make active transportation a real option for more residents. I’m so grateful for the collaboration and enthusiasm of the amazing multimodal community that is turning this vision into reality.” 

State leaders underscored the role of long‑range planning in supporting mobility, safety, and economic development.  

“The Statewide Multiuse Trails Plan released today establishes a framework to inform the development of a connected, statewide trail network across the Commonwealth that is multimodal, safe, accessible, and regionally connected,” said Secretary of Transportation Nick Donohue. “Trails connect people to where they live, work, and play, functioning as true active transportation corridors, not solely recreational amenities. The plan released today will support the efforts of governments and advocates in identifying and developing trails that link local neighborhoods, schools, and parks to the regional trail corridors.” 

Regional transportation partners highlighted the importance of collaboration in designing a network that meets the needs of diverse communities.  

“The CVTA is proud to partner with the City of Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia to advance the design and construction of the Fall Line. The City of Richmond serves as a critical link to complete the entire 43-mile corridor, and we couldn’t be more excited to be part of today’s event. We’re ready for every month to be bike month in Central Virginia,” said Chet Parsons, Executive Director of CVTA. 

Sports Backers, the Richmond‑based nonprofit that helped conceptualize the Fall Line in 2019 and has championed its development ever since, celebrated the trail’s growing momentum. 

“The Fall Line represents a transformational investment in connectivity, accessibility, and quality of life for residents across the region,” said Will Dixon, Executive Director of Sports Backers. “This trail will not only link communities and destinations, but also create new opportunities for active transportation, economic development, and outdoor recreation right here in the City of Richmond and beyond.” 

The City’s multi-modal transportation leaders also recognized the Fall Line’s role in advancing Richmond’s goals. 

“Our goal is for the bicycle to be such a convenient form of transportation that every month is bike month. We’re on the path to building a world-class city for people of all ages and abilities,” said Andy Boenau, Director, RDOT, City of Richmond. 

Once complete in 2034, the Fall Line will link forests, farmland, neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and urban centers across Hanover, Henrico, and Chesterfield counties and the cities of Richmond and Colonial Heights. 

The trail will ultimately connect to both the Virginia Capital Trail and the Appomattox River Trail, creating the backbone of Central Virginia’s regional trail network. 

For more information about the Fall Line and Virginia Statewide Trails Plan 

For more information about Sports Backers and RVA Bike Month 

Sports Backers has organized RVA Bike Month since 2014, and its 13th edition is one of the largest bike month programs in the nation. With over 80 events this May, the calendar is a mix of grassroots, community-driven events and large-scale participation events such as the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation’s Cap 2 Cap ride and Sports Backers’ Dominion Energy Riverrock. More than 6,000 event participants are expected. Some high-profile community events include biking to work with Mayor Avula on May 21, the 16th Annual Pizza Crawl on May 22, and the 53rd annual Bryan Park Summer Race Series starting May 19th.