Rail Trails Picking Up Steam

Have you noticed all the development of NH rail trails in recent years – and the number of bicyclists, walkers, runners, roller-bladers, and skateboarders using them? Users of all ages from 5 to 95 are seen out there on the non-motorized rail trails. Just getting away from drunk, drugged, distracted, and deliberately-aggressive motorists can be a prime reason in popularity while health, exercise, lack of noise, fumes, and dust pollution are more reasons. Of course, rail trails are not for everyone! They don’t “go everywhere” like public roads as needed for commuting and active transportation, plus some recreational cyclists find them boring – too straight, often “in the woods”, grades not over 4%, and the surface might not be paved. That said, there is a definite up-tick in the sales of hybrid and gravel bikes as more and more people are exploring rail trails and dirt roads.