I love riding my tadpole trike on paved bicycle trails. In the area where I live (Fort Wayne, Indiana) we have an ever increasing number of trails. It seems each quarter (3 month period) the report comes out of more miles of trails added to the growing network. And that is exactly what is planned. I am just glad to see it come to pass.
Every once in a while I find myself looking up some locality and then wonder if they have any paved trails nearby so I start looking this up. Of course, some times I find very little if anything. But then again some times I am rather amazed at what I find. Some places which are even smaller than where I live have quite a lot of trails around.
Yes, as I look around the nation I see this same thing happening in many many different localities. It is great! I am so glad to see local govt. leaders and community leaders working to make this happen. And that is what is takes … getting involved to make it happen. I think multi-purpose trails are an extremely wise investment in any community and beyond. And the proof is there … these trails are a huge asset to any area.
And it is not only happening here in the United States, but in many other nations as well. For those of you who live places where it is not happening I feel your pain. I am sure there are various reasons for this. And I would imagine the number one reason is monetary. Building trails is extremely expensive. Here locally they cost an average of about $750 dollars a linear foot for a 10 foot wide trail. It is difficult enough to come up with the money needed where there is prosperity and the will. And there are always those who fight against it. Most of the time, however, it seems that eventually the trails get built despite those who oppose it. I for one, am happy about that.
Lots of people like having the trails to use, but few are willing to pay for them or help maintain them. That is sad.
Unfortunately for various weather related reasons the trails end up closed some of the time and unavailable to use. That is sad too.
If I were in a position to do so I would love to be able to travel around some and ride on various trails around the nation and perhaps even in other countries. That is not likely to happen though. So I am so thankful that I have local trails to ride on. And as soon as my new knee joints allow it I plan on “hitting the trails” again and try to …
KEEP ON TRIKIN’
A FREE GIFT awaits you!
Tadpole Rider 
I envy you for your ability to find so many paved trails in your neck of the woods… You would think living here in Florida there would be an abundant amount of trails for me to ride in my area, but not so.. I do however thank the state of Florida and the U.S. government for it’s infinite wisdom to have included in it’s state and federal public roadway assistance program to aid the state in rebuilding the public roadways with mandatory bike lanes in order to qualify for federal assistance to pay for them…! In other words the federal government is saying that if you want money to help you rebuild your roadways you have to include a bike path along side of it…! And not only do they have to include a bike path but a bike path with a minimum of at least 52″ in. in width I believe it is…! Don’t quote me on the exact width, but I know the width is a lot larger than they had been in the past…! A great thing in my humble opinion…! Thanks for shearing your wealth with us though Steve…! And I hope that knee is feeling better….
Armadillo Zack