B is for...bike!

Sure the letter B could be for bananas, but for me it has always been for bike. The lack of bike paths in towns across this country, now that's bananas!

2013 is just around the corner. It should be priority for towns to start realizing that 'if you build it, they will come'. Ok, so in the context of this conversation it might be more like, 'if you build it, they will ride...', but you get my gist. Of course, the issue of 'who will pay for it' generally finds it's way into infrastructure conversation. Sure, building bike paths and dedicated bike lanes is costly, not to mention the signage and other maintenance involved in keeping the paths rideable.

But, that's what we do. Bikepath Country is working directly with municipalities and businesses to take a new approach on raising funds for bike path creation, as well as to help pay for the costs related to maintaining parks and recreation facilities.

Do you know of a bike path in your town that needs some repairs? Or maybe you just really wish your town had a paved bike path? Let us know how your town/city is doing!

Bike Path Funding For Your Town

As the great article on Politico, "Cities Forge Own (bike) Paths" begins, "It's a familiar path: As demand for bike and pedestrian projects skyrockets, federal funding shrinks."

NY, NJ, CT all did choose to keep their recreation trails funding whole, which is of course great news for the the folks who use these paths!

What if we also take fundraising into our own hands? Bikepath Country helps to raise money for municipalities in order to maintain, restore and expand the current bike path infrastructure. Not only does this funding go to support repair and expansion of bike paths, but also to adding water fountains, park benches, restroom and maintenance of local parks and other community spaces.

Bikepath Country was established to help preserve and expand this country's bike path system, as well as to promote a clean and healthy environment for the community. Through the use of socially responsible advertising, municipalities are able to raise money specifically for their parks and recreation department.

Although demand is on the rise, we can't just rely on government funding to ensure we are providing safe bike paths, walkways, and parks to our communities! Get involved in your community, email municipalities (at) bikepathcountry.com or call 855.4.BIKEPATH (855.424.5372) for more info!

On bikepathcountry.com you can also find health and fitness tips. And, before you leave your house for a ride log on to map your ride, and get accurate cycling directions. Oh, and if you'd rather take those directions with you, we got an App for that! Try out our free Bikepath Country App available for iPhone, iPad and Android users. Take it for a spin, and let us know what you think!

Preserve and Expand Bike Path Systems

Now here's a headline for you, "Maryland awards millions for bike paths".


With the current trend of people young and old converting to bike commuting, we need to take care of America's roads and bike paths even more. Although the above headline is great and extremely uplifting, we are still seeing headlines looking quite grim popping up all over the country. For example too recent headlines we found went as follows... "Why Spend Millions For a Bike Path?"  and "Lacking funds, City pauses on new South Waterfront path"...

There is still quite a bit of work to be done in order to ensure bike paths and commuting routes are properly taken care of. There's a lot of hype right now thanks to the recent National Bike Summit. We want to make sure this conversation and motivation keeps on full throttle, long after cyclists return home to their respective cities.

Here is just one example of a great grassroots effort taking place in Yorkville, IL in trying to raise funds to support the creation of a 2.72 mile bike path. http://pushforthepath.org/

Community is key! Let's keep this conversation going on a National level. If you know of paths in your area that need work, whether it be heavy path damage due to weather and heavy use, to a closed restroom you'd like to see reopen. Maybe you would like to see something as simple as water fountains installed. Let us know what you'd like to see happen in your town. Together we can preserve and expand the bike path systems.

Bikepath Country was established as a way to engage outdoor and health enthusiasts with socially responsible advertising while helping municipalities raise money for their parks and recreation department. Our goal is to help preserve and expand this country's bike path system, as well as promote a clean and healthy environment for the community.