Bike Walk RVA (a program of Sports Backers) today released the 2016 Richmond Region Bicycle Infrastructure Report, an update to the 2013 Richmond Region Baseline Bicycle Infrastructure Report.

The new report details the many new types of bikeways on the ground in greater Richmond, as well as documents the number of miles and location of those bikeways. A major finding is that the region’s bikeway mileage has more than doubled in three years – many thanks to elected officials and other decision makers, dedicated planning and transportation staff, and the advocacy community.

The now complete Virginia Capital Trail crosses Gillies Creek in Richmond. The silos in the background have been demolished.

“Our region’s bikeway mileage has gone from 37 to 79 miles – and counting – in about three years,” said Max Hepp-Buchanan, Director of Bike Walk RVA for Sports Backers. “That’s great progress. However, not all bikeways are considered equal in terms of safety and comfort for the average resident. Bike lanes that don’t offer physical protection from high-speed traffic are not likely to get more people to ride. Separated multi-use trails, like the Virginia Capital Trail, will attract new riders by the thousands. We need more protected bikeways in the region.”

In addition to maps documenting the Richmond region’s progress and graphs that show exactly where bikeway growth is occurring, readers can expect some commentary from Bike Walk RVA on the region’s overall progress and next steps for the future.

“The biggest steps moving forward for the region are to adopt plans, identify funding sources for projects in those plans, design projects for the safety and comfort of all ages and abilities, and build connections to places people want to go,” said Hepp-Buchanan.

The 2016 Richmond Region Bicycle Infrastructure Report follows the published brochure, RVA Bikeways: A user guide for people on bikes and in cars, as well as the web-based RVA Bikeways Map. All three publications are available on the Sports Backers’ website, and the new report can be directly downloaded here: http://bitly.com/2016RVABikeReport