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Florida's decision this week to set aside $50 million for the creation of a 275-mile cross-state trail is not only great news for those of us who love trails, biking, riding and hiking - it is also a tremendous shot in the arm for thousands of main street businesses and the state's economy. Long gone are the days when a "trail" was merely a quiet place to take a leisurely stroll, pedal your bike and appreciate chirping birds and swaying branches. Trails are now multi-million dollar economic engines...

In central Washington, the rail-trail we know as the Iron Horse State Park is one of the truly iconic trail experiences. Part of the broader John Wayne Pioneer Trail system stretching across the state, the Iron Horse's 82 miles pass through one of the most spectacular landscapes in America. Just not at the moment. In 2011, the threat of falling debris and rocks inside a number of the trail's tunnel passages caused the tunnels to close, effectively shutting off the trail to visitors looking for a...

We see it more and more these days - rail-trails as economic development assets. Cities and towns across America are developing rail-trail networks in order to make their area more attractive, drawing new residents and businesses and providing an environment where people want to live. We are also seeing entrepreneurs finding business opportunities connected to destination rail-trails - lodging, services and other operations are launching next to rail-trails from Maine to California. Like this one...

Earlier this morning, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Pat Tomes addressed a United States House of Representatives legislative briefing in Washington, D.C. on the economic benefits of rail-trails and trail development across America. RTC's user survey and economic impact data work, which has put hard numbers behind otherwise anecdotal evidence that destination rail-trail do support and boost local economies, continues to grow in significance as trails advocates ramp up efforts to make sure the nation...

In the ongoing conversation about why Americans need more biking and walking options in their transportation infrastructure, often the "it feels good," "it's better for the environment," or "it's better for your health" arguments unfortunately don't carry a lot of weight. But you start talking economics, and wealth, and industry, and people tend to listen, particularly those elected officials and business leaders who are often difficult to engage on more "esoteric" concepts. One of the most persuasive...

Last year, Americans spent $81 billion on bicycling gear and trips , a sizable chunk of the total outdoor recreation industry which accounts for $646 billion in spending each year. A large proportion of that expenditure on bicycling trips is captured by communities that have been able to connect destination trails with their downtowns, main streets and local businesses. Just how important is this trail traffic to these local businesses? Let's let the numbers speak for themselves...

This wonderful video from the folks at Path Less Pedaled demonstrates that the power of rail-trails is universal. The story of how the Central Otago Rail Trail in New Zealand, at first opposed and doubted but now heralded for revitalizing shrinking rural towns, is identical to what we hear from rail-trail communities here in America. (Except for the funny accents, of course. Nothing at all like us Australians. Anyone who needs help translating, let me know...) In all seriousness, this great video...