Photocredit: DFB (http://downtownfrombehind.tumblr.com)

For bicycle commuters, continuing to pedal through the winter months can be a daunting task, especially if one lives in a northern city. Often the decision for winter bicycle commuting comes down to perspective: Is cycling a sport or a viable form of transportation that offers a multitude of advantages such as saving money and improving the health of the cyclist and the environment? In order for bicycling to be respected as sustainable transportation, the surrounding community must be supportive of cyclists year-round. This includes city maintenance of bike lanes and paths during winter as well as supportive bicycle initiatives. It can be done. In Copenhagen, where dedicated snow plows clear the bike lanes, 80% of cyclists continue through the winter. Here are five cities in the U.S. that are supporting bicycle commuting through the winter.

Boulder, Colorado

What makes Boulder one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country is partly due to the city’s commitment to winter bike commuters. While Boulder is no stranger to bike commuting it’s also no stranger to snowy weather, which makes most Coloradans dedicated to maintaining an active lifestyle despite weather challenges. Last January, Boulder held its’ third annual Winter Bike to Work Day. The over-60 miles of paved multi-use paths get plowed before more than an inch of snow accumulates using separate snow removal crews, while the on-road bike lanes are plowed right along with the streets. Many Boulder cyclists say their bicycles are faster than getting across town in a car held up by winter weather and traffic. Though Boulder does not have commuter rail, bike racks are available on the city bus at a first come first serve basis.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Heralded by Bicycling Magazine as America’s most bike-friendly city, Minneapolis has seen success for its’ initiative in reducing car dependence. While the number of bicycle commuters do decline in the frigid winter months, the city estimates that 36 percent of bike commuters still pedal on clear winter days and a bold 20 percent brave the harsher conditions that tend to plague the area. Perhaps it’s the inspiration cyclists get from seeing others riding in the winter that will keep these numbers rising.

With over 60 miles of off-road trails, the city is speedy at removing snow from these areas, typically withing 24 hours. According to Minneapolis cyclists, the 46 miles of on-road bike lanes become a bit more challenging to keep clear of the piling snow as well as parked cars during the winter months. Cyclists can take advantage of Minneapolis’ Metro Transit System incorporating light rail, commuter rail, and bus service all equipped with bike racks. For commuters who travel by bike 3 or more days a week, the transit system offers a free Guaranteed Ride Home Program good for use up to 4 times a year for emergencies such as snowstorms.

Madison, Wisconsin

Madison’s successful bicycle infrastructure has made getting around town by bike such a feasible venture that many Madison bike commuters continue on through the winter months. Currently, the town boasts 87 miles of bike lanes and 43 miles of off-road bike paths which are quickly cleared of snow by the parks department. Many Madison cyclists claim the bike paths are often cleared before the streets. Bike Madison, the city’s website devoted exclusively for bicycling, is a great resource and support for year-round bike commuters.  All Madison Metro buses are equipped with bike racks available on a first come first serve basis. Bike Winter is a volunteer organization that hosts winter cycling events in Madison in an effort to inspire and educate.

New York, New York

The New York City Parks Department does such a expeditious job of clearing the growing number of bike paths and greenways that last winter it added to the already contentious bike lane controversy when many of the bike paths were cleared of snow and ice before the roads. For New York to compete with world-class bicycling cities like Copenhagen, this support of winter cycling will need to continue as the more cyclists are out there in the winter, the more citizens will be aware of cyclists on the road. The New York City Department of Transportation has done an excellent job of adding bicycle parking, including the famous David Byrne bike racks, and is in the process of building 36 sheltered bike racks that hold 8 bikes each. Their website includes a helpful map showing where these bike racks are located. With NYC gearing up to unleash its’ New York City Bike Share in 2012, winter cycling in New York could see a surge as the program is slated to run 365 days a year.

Burlington, Vermont

Recently awarded the silver status as a Bicycle-Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists, Burlington, Vermont can be buried in snow from October to April as the winds whip off Lake Champlain. This doesn’t stop the tenacious souls who choose a bicycle as their primary mode of transportation through the harsh winters of Burlington. Many University of Vermont students find it easier and much less expensive to get around town sporting fat tires and extra layers as they pedal through the elements. With Burlington devoted to building a strong bicycle network as well as encouraging residents to lead a sustainable lifestyle, winter cycling isn’t such a crazy notion.

Garnering the distinction of a bike-friendly coastal town in the Northeast  is  no easy feat. Roads along the New England coast are narrow with little to no shoulder let alone bike lanes and can get quite congested in the summer months. Rail trails are generally found more inland and don’t end on the shores of the Atlantic. However, a few areas along the coast are overcoming the challenges of the topography and making cycling a priority for bike commuters, bike adventurers, and beach goers who would like to ditch the car. With the bike-friendly success of the following areas, hopefully other coastal towns will be inspired to increase cycling awareness and initiatives.

Bike Trail In Newburyport

Salisbury/Newburyport, Massachusetts

Salisbury offers three coastal trails that provide links within the Coast Trails Coalition, a community organization advocating the development and use of the Coastal Trails Network. This network of trails is an emerging 30-mile public system of bicycle and pedestrian trails linking the coastal communities of Amesbury, Newbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury. Newburyport can be accessed via the MBTA, Boston’s commuter rail, where cyclists can ride on the Clipper City Rail Trail then cross the Merrimack River into Salisbury.

Salisbury Beach, MA

Want to ride your bike directly to the beach? In Salisbury, bike lanes are provided on Beach Road which ends at Salisbury Beach State Reservation. This state managed beach (cyclists can avoid the $9 parking fee) is one of the cleanest and most popular beaches in Massachusetts, offering swimming, boating, camping, fishing, and boardwalk amusements. For a more tranquil and less crowded beach without as many amenities, Plum Island Beach can be reached by bicycle heading from Newburyport on the Newburyport to Plum Island Bike Lane.

Portland, Maine

Biking In Portland's Back Bay

Not to be outdone by the Pacific Northwest city of the same name, Portland, Maine is fast becoming one of the most bike-friendly cities in the Northeast. Maine was named the 2nd most bike-friendly state in the country by the League of American Bicyclists. The city of Portland offers guided bike tours, self-guided bike maps, and ample bike parking. Portland Green Streets, a grassroots program to encourage the use of alternative transportation, has an excellent website full of resources for cycling around Portland. Amtrak travels from Boston to Portland on the Downeaster, but make your reservations early as there are a limited number of unboxed bicycle spaces.

From paved off-street bike paths such as the South Portland Greenbelt to ocean view beach cruises to single track trails for mountain bikers at Bradbury Mountain State Park, Portland has proven that a Northeast coastal city can embrace a cycling infrastructure. To get to the beach by bike, cyclists can travel on the wide shoulders of route 77 south to Crescent Beach State Park and Cape Elizabeth. Crescent Beach features an off-street oceanside bike path and is one of the most pristine beaches on the southern Maine coast- wide and sandy and great for families. Not to be missed is the Portland Head Lighthouse at Cape Elizabeth where you can learn about the history of the area and enjoy a Maine lobster picnic.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Biking In Cape Cod

Getting around by bike on Cape Cod is a refreshing alternative to sitting in traffic on a busy summer weekend. The Cape Cod Rail Trail, the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway, and the Shining Sea Bikeway are all paved non-motorized bike trails that utilize abandoned rail trails. There are also 5 conservation areas with mountain bike trails. The Cape Cod Rail Trail is one of the most popular rail trails in the Northeast traveling 22 miles from Dennis to Wellfleet. The town of Wellfleet is host to numerous beaches on both the bay side and the ocean side. From trail’s end, travel on roads to reach Maguire’s Landing Beach, Marconi Beach, or Cahoon Hollow Beach, all of which are clean and not overly crowded- though expect more people on summer weekends. For a beautiful view of the ocean while riding, try the Shining Sea Bikeway which travels from Falmouth to Woods Hole. Check out Wood Neck Beach for its’ serenity and abundance of sea creatures for kids to examine.

Provinceland Bike Trail

The only drawback to cycling on the Cape is getting to the Cape without a car. There’s a reason why all those great rail trails exist — commuter rail is no longer existent. The closest Amtrak stations would be Boston or Providence. The closest commuter rail station is the MBTA in Kingston, MA, about 40 miles away. You can, however, take a ferry from Boston To Provincetown from May to October.

Bikes In Davis, California

Most lists of the top bike-friendly towns include major metropolitan areas, but small towns, those with a population under 100,000, actually pull in higher percentages of bike commuters. Small towns have the advantage of smaller road grids, easier commutes, and local government support. The most bike-friendly small towns are typically college towns where bicycling is considered by college students as a less-expensive and less-hassle mode of transportation. The following bike-friendly towns were chosen by studying the most recent reports from Bicycling.com and the League of American Bicyclists who yearly hands out award recognition to bicycle friendly communities.

Davis, California

Sitting 15 miles outside of Sacramento, Davis, California is the most bike-friendly community in America. According to the League of American Bicyclists, a whopping 22.1 percent of Davis’ working population commute by bicycle.  Davis was the first city in the U.S. to add bike lanes way back in the 1960s and today 95% of their arterial roadways contain bike lanes. From bike-only traffic lights to an extensive network of bike trails to a university campus closed to motor vehicles, Davis has been an innovator in promoting a car-free lifestyle.

In 2009, Davis became home to the Bicycling Hall of Fame. With a population of 65,000, Davis garnered the prestigious platinum status bike-friendly community from the League of American Bicyclists, sharing the honor with Portland, Oregon and Boulder, Colorado.

Boulder, Colorado

If you ever find yourself driving through the streets of Boulder, Colorado (pop. 97,000), just north of Denver, you’ll soon want to ditch that gas guzzler for the freedom of moving through town on a bicycle. With over 95% of roads containing bike trails and 15% of the transportation budget spent on building and maintaining bicycle routes, Boulder has deservedly become a model for other bike-friendly cities. Dedicated snow removal for bike lanes begins as soon as the snow flies.

Not only does 9.9% of the working population in Boulder commute by bike, the Safe Routes to School initiative has caused one elementary school in Boulder to see 70% of students involved in walking or biking to school. The city operates GoBikeBoulder.net, an innovative website dedicated to helping cyclists navigate the over 300 miles of bike lanes, bike routes, and designated paths. It also provides mileage, calories burned, and money saved in transportation costs. Boulder is a favorite bike-friendly town of the League of American Bicyclists awarding them the distinguished platinum status.

Corvallis, Oregon

With it’s small size and flat terrain most bicycle trips in Corvallis, Oregon can be achieved in less than 15 minutes. The most recent citizen survey showed that 22% of the over 54,000 residents regularly commuted by bicycle. Though these impressive numbers can mostly be attributed to the fact that Corvallis is home to Oregon State University, city planners have long been dedicated to promoting bicycling throughout the town.

Bike lanes are found on 97% of collector and arterial roads. Elementary school students participate in a mandatory week-long bicycle training program and are encouraged to bike to school. Bike parking is required in proportion to vehicle parking at businesses, schools, apartment buildings, and offices and half of these must be covered bike racks. Corvallis received gold status as a bike-friendly community from the League of American Bicyclists.

 Bellingham, Washington

The city of Bellingham, Washington recently decreased single-occupant car trips by 8% and increased cycling, pedestrian, and bus trips by the same amount. Bellingham’s roads contain 21 miles of bike lanes and there are 27 miles of shared-use pathways. Bellingham is also popular for the many mountain bike trails found in the surrounding forests.

The town supports the Safe Routes to School initiative, a national program to increase the number of students who walk or bike to school. With a population of  81,000, 3% of Bellingham workers commute by bicycle. The League of American Bicyclists has awarded silver status to this bike-friendly town.

Missoula, Montana

Located in western Montana, the town of Missoula (pop. 67,000) has operated a bike/pedestrian city office for over 25 years. Home to the University of Montana, the town recently opened a bicycle and pedestrian bridge linking the city center with the campus and 2 major bike paths. Missoula boasts a 5.64% bicycle mode share. And, yes, cycling continues even in the winter due to the town’s dedicated plows for bike lanes and bike paths. Other bike innovations include covered bike racks, bicycle detection at intersections, and Bicycle Ambassadors that teach traffic safety. The Missoula school district includes bike safety and skills as part of the physical education curriculum. The League of American Bicyclists has given the town of Missoula, Montana a silver status in bike-friendliness.

Few historical inventions could claim to offer its users as much freedom as the bicycle. Suffragettes of the 19th century went so far as to call the bicycle a “freedom machine”. So it’s only fitting that cycling and freedom once again meet up at the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route. During the 1800s over 100,000 slaves sought freedom on the Underground Railroad, the network of people and places who assisted African-Americans escape slavery from the south. The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route follows along this historical 2,008-mile corridor from Mobile, Alabama to Owen Sound in Ontario with alternate routes through either Detroit or Buffalo around Lake Erie.

The route was developed by Adventure Cycling Association as a way to honor of the bravery of those who escaped bondage and those who helped. In partnership with the Center for Minority Health at the University of Pittsburgh as well as partnering with local communities, Adventure Cycling continues to promote and maintain the route with published maps, guided tours, and trip planning, including downloadable local maps for day trips.

Map Of The Underground Railroad Bike Route

Though thousands of different routes were used in the Underground Railroad, this route serves as a representation of the movement of slaves from the deep south northward. The route travels through a wealth of history including the town of Ripley, Ohio, home to famous Underground Railroad Conductors, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati. A side spur out of Waynesville, Ohio will bring you to Springboro, Ohio, home to the most documented safe houses in the state, one in which cyclists can even spend the night.

Divided into 5 sections, the route mostly follows along rivers and rural roads with light traffic, perfect for bicycle touring. Sections that go around the cities of Cincinnati and Columbus are more urban. The southernmost section from Mobile to Fulton, Mississippi travels through small towns with lush green landscapes that Adventure Cycling says is like “pedaling through a William Faulkner novel”. In Ohio, the route picks up the Little Miami Scenic Trail, one of the longest paved rail trails in the country, for some completely car-free cycling. The northern sections on each side of Lake Erie host numerous historic sites including safe houses and museums. The end of the line in Owen Sound was the final terminal for the Underground Railroad and hosts an annual Emancipation Day Celebration.

The Great Divide Bike Trail: Spray Lake in Alberta

It could be said that the Great Divide Bike Trail is like the Mount Everest of cycling adventures. Not only is it the longest mountain bike trail in the world at 2,500 miles, but it has over 200,000 feet of elevation gain. Stretching from Canada to Mexico, the Great Divide bike trail travels through some of the most mountainous regions in the U.S. and delivers a sense of remoteness not often found these days. Cyclists agree that whether you take on the challenge of riding the entire trail or a section of it, you’ll return from the Great Divide a changed person. The Great Divide bike trail was started by Adventure Cycling, a non-profit organization that charts one of the largest networks of cycling routes at over 40,ooo miles of trails. Their mission is to

inspire people of all ages to travel by bicycle. We help cyclists explore the landscapes and history of America for fitness, fun, and self-discovery.

The route, which roughly parallels the Continental Divide, is not for the faint of heart. Divided into 5 geographic regions, the trail crosses through some of the most diverse terrains a cyclist could encounter with long stretches of no services. According to Adventure Cycling, one-third of the overnights are considered wilderness sites and most others are forest sites with pit toilets and a water supply. This is why they call it bikepacking. Trail conditions vary with the terrain from pavement and gravel roads to singletrack mountain trails and old railroad beds and can be tough on bikes.

Most cyclists travel from north to south and the entire route is typically completed in about 3 months. Other cyclists just bike portions of the trail or go back to complete a different section each trip, much like hikers do on the Appalachian Trail. Much care and research should be taken on what equipment will be needed and how to best reduce your impact on the land. Adventure Cycling publishes maps and guide books to help plan one of your own epic rides you’ve been hearing so much about.

There are also many blog diaries about cycling the Great Divide Trail. Here’s one.

For more information, see these books:

• Cycling the Great Divide: From Canada to Mexico on America’s Premier Long Distance Mountain Bike Route
• BICYCLING THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE: Slice of Heaven, Taste of Hell
• Travels With Willie: Adventure Cyclist

Twenty years ago a trio of cycling enthusiasts had a vision for a network of bike trails around the Atlanta area. What began as a dream to provide Georgians with off-road trails to promote a healthy lifestyle has now developed into the longest paved bike trail in the U.S. Located 13 miles northwest of Atlanta, the Silver Comet bike trail travels west through Cobb, Paulding, and Polk counties for 62 miles. At the Georgia/Alabama border it connects with the Chief Ladiga Trail for another 33 miles, making for nearly 100 miles of car-free cycling serenity. Along with other trails in the Atlanta area, the Silver Comet Trail is maintained by the PATH Foundation, an organization dedicated to building a network of scenic greenways throughout the state of Georgia.

The Silver Comet Trail was built on the abandoned rail bed of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad which provided luxury passenger service between New York and Birmingham from 1947 to 1969. The name of that train was the Silver Comet. Cyclists can experience relics of the rail period including 3 trestles, a rail tunnel, and 2 train depots.

There are plenty of side trips to make along the trail including a stop at the Concord Covered Bridge (the only remaining covered bridge in the Atlanta area), a visit to the remains of a woolen mill, excursions to the proverbial charming town, and even single track mountain bike trails that jut off from the main trail. The Chief Ladiga Trail on the Alabama side is built on an abandoned CSX rail corridor and passes through more idyllic towns and scenic landscapes.

There is no fee to use the trail which is recognized as a National Recreation Trail by the National Park Service. The entire bike trail is quite popular so be courteous to other cyclists, pedestrians, and in-line skaters. The crowds do thin out the further west you go from Atlanta. The trail is mostly flat with a few more challenging hills near Rockmart. Plans are in development to connect with other linking trails to provide a continuous line from Atlanta to Birmingham. To plan a trip see BikeSilverComet.com. For more information about this and other trails in the area visit the PATH Foundation.

Bicycle City is a planned community built around bicycles. No cars are allowed. A real world cycling utopia, the project, started by Ohio-based Bicycle City LLC, has been in the design phase since the early 1990s, but in 2010 the town of Gaston, South Carolina near Columbia was chosen as the first location for Bicycle City. A community where cycling and walking are the main forms of transportation promotes a healthy lifestyle and reduces dependency on oil. In addition, Bicycle City’s vision is to build eco-friendly homes- all LEED certified- with a heavy reliance on clean energy such as wind and solar power.

The 160-acre property in Lexington County, South Carolina was chosen due to its proximity to an Amtrak station, the college town of Columbia, nearby organic and farmers’ markets, as well as the Three Rivers Greenway, an existing bike trail along the Columbia riverbanks. The area also lies between the mountains and the ocean, has access to lake recreation, and boasts mild weather for year-round riding. Citizens in this region are already embracing cycling as a way of life and are avid outdoors enthusiasts. The town of Columbia earned bronze level status from the League of American Bicyclists as a bicycle-friendly city.

A bike taxi in South Carolina, home of Bicycle City’s first planned development.

The land was purchased for $1 million and while the the trail work is underway, other parts of the project are currently on hold. Co-founder Joe Mellett isn’t too concerned about a timeline though, as he says that the company is more interested in quality than in speed and size. The website is currently taking reservations for home sites. In the meantime, developers get their inspiration from other car-free communities, such as Mackinac Island.

For those who would like to live in Bicycle City, but aren’t quite ready to go completely car-free, parking is planned for the outskirts of the community. The die-hard car-free enthusiasts can choose to live more toward the center of Bicycle City. You can receive a $5,000 reduction on the cost of your home if you do any of the following: grow and maintain an organic garden, bike to work, or walk to work. Emergency vehicles will still have access to homes. Visit Bicycle City South Carolina for more information.

A 600-station bike sharing system is slated to debut during the summer of 2012 in New York City. The network of 10,000 bicycles is being set up in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and future expansion into Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx is possible. New York City Bike Share is privately sponsored and operated. The NYC Department of Transportation regulates site selection and participates in community outreach, but the funding and operation is managed by Alta Bicycle Share.

The Bixi Bikes To Be Used In NYC Bike Sharing

Here’s how it will work: All of the 600 stations will have a kiosk with touch-screen interface, a map of the entire system, and a row of locked bicycles. Stations will be solar-powered and open 24 hours a day. You’ll have to be a member to unlock a bike. Registered members sign up online and are issued a key fob to unlock a bike. Casual members sign up using the station touch screen and are given a code to unlock a bike. Riders can return their rentals to any NYC station with an available space.

Membership and usage fees have not yet been determined. Expect a tiered membership fee structure as well as a tiered hourly usage fee structure.

New York City has created a webpage where visitors can suggest station sites for the bike share system. The page is already loaded with hundreds of suggested sites. Throughout 2011 and 2012, Alta Bicycle Share will be hosting press conferences and demonstrations in an effort solicit feedback as the project proceeds. Check out their News page for updates.

Here’s a video introducing the program:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Images via: Downtown From Behind

Car-free bicycle routes in the Northeast can be found on rail trails and local town greenways. With 392 open trails encompassing 3,233 miles, the Northeast region can rival the rail trails of the Midwest, where the rail trail movement began. With heavily traveled and traffic-congested roads, cyclists and other transportation advocates embrace the development of bicycle routes in this area.

The Rails to Trails Conservancy is just one organization dedicated to building a network of bike trails across the northeast and the rest of the country. The states encompassing this region of course offer some of the most stunning scenery that can’t be seen from a car, especially during the autumn months. Following are just a few of the more notable car-free bicycle routes to explore in the Northeast.

 Down East Sunrise Trail

Down East Sunrise Trail

The Down East Sunrise Trail travels through scenic coastal Maine for 87 miles from Ellsworth to Ayers Junction near the Canadian border. Utilizing the Calais Branch rail corridor, the Down East Sunrise Trail is part of the East Coast Greenway, a bicycle route stretching from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida. While the trail offers breathtaking views of mountains and crosses through conservation areas, salmon rivers, and coastal waterways, the route is basically flat and bicycle friendly. Though ATVs are allowed, cyclists say that this helps keep the trail smooth and users boast that everyone is respectful of each other along the route. The trail virtually parallels US Route 1, a state designated scenic route, offering plenty of opportunity for excursions to restaurants, inns, and other recreational outings. For more visit the Sunrise Trail Coalition.

Cape Cod Rail Trail

Cape Cod Rail Trail

Though the Cape Cod Rail Trail may be short on mileage (22 miles in length) it is big on reputation. Locals and tourists alike have made this a popular bicycle route with over 400,000 users a year. Those who live in the area use it as part of their commute, while tourists appreciate the Cape Cod scenery along the route. If you’ve ever had to fight Cape Cod traffic on a summer weekend, this can be a nice change of pace. The paved route follows the Old Colony Railroad line from South Dennis to South Wellfleet with visitor centers, bike rental and repair shops, restaurants, and picnic areas along the way. The route does make road crossings where cyclists need to take caution. At the end of the trail, cyclists can continue for another mile on road to Maguire’s Landing and be rewarded with a dip in the Atlantic. For more see here.

 Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail

NH Rail Trails

One of the most accessible rail trails in the Northeast is the Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail. Starting near the shore of Massabesic Lake just outside New Hampshire’s largest city of Manchester, the route rides along a branch of the old Boston & Maine Railroad. In Raymond, visitors can explore the restored train station complete with locomotive, caboose and boxcar. The trail ends at Newfields Train Depot just east of Great Bay in Portsmouth, NH. Much of this route is tree lined, which makes it one of the coolest trails in the summer and still offers breathtaking New England scenery, especially during fall foliage season. Made of crushed stone, some of the sections could be considered more challenging than others, though it is a popular mountain biking destination for families. The trail is popular in the winter for snowmobiles, cross country skiing, and dog sledding. For more visit the NH State Parks website.

Erie Canalway Trail

Erie Canalway Trail

The Erie Canalway Trail located in upstate New York is on task to become one of the longest car-free bicycle routes in the U.S.  Riding along the towpaths of New York’s historic canals, the route connects Buffalo to Albany linking the cities of  Rochester, Syracuse, Rome, Utica, and Schenectady. With 75% of the trail complete, cyclists can enjoy the longest continuous car-free section from Buffalo to Newark for 114 miles. Another popular fragment is from Albany to Little Falls for 86 miles of car-free cycling. The Erie Canalway Trail is contributing to the revitalization of the canal towns along the route. Cyclists can make side trips to historic sites, restaurants, inns, and parks. Some of the route is paved, while the rest is crushed limestone and mostly flat. For more visit ErieCanalway.org.

Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park Trail

The Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park Trail travels along the canal’s towpath which was built in 1830 as a transportation route between Philadelphia and New York. The 70 mile trail journeys through the historic New Jersey towns of Frenchtown, Stockton, and Lambertville and ending in New Brunswick. Nineteenth century bridges, bridgetender houses, canal locks, and stone arch culverts can be seen along the route. Great for families, the trail is crushed stone, mostly flat and is well maintained. Side trips, including canoe and kayak rental, are popular. Be sure to check the D & R Canal State Park website for current updates as recent hurricanes have caused some damage.

Great Allegheny Passage Trail

Great Allegheny Passage (GAP)

The longest rail trail east of the Mississippi is the Great Allegheny Passage or GAP Trail, which is the crown jewel of Pennsylvania’s numerous rail trails and other car-free bike routes. Using abandoned rail beds from the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie and the Western Maryland Railroad, the trail stretches for 150 miles from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland. History buffs will love seeing evidence of how the railroads, together with the famous Pennsylvania mill towns, shaped this area of the country. Users of the trail rave about the crushed stone surface and the many amenities along the way. To plan your trip visit the Allegheny Trail Alliance and Trail Link.

A recently-published study by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) ranks the top 20 cities where going car-free will save the most money. Number 14 on the list is Washington, DC, which has nearly 200,000 car-less households already.

The APTA’s report claims that the average DC resident would save $10,282 per year in transportation-related costs by giving up his or her vehicle and traveling solely via public transport. The APTA considered up-to-date gas prices, parking rates, and bus and train fares in its calculations. The annual figure equates to around $857 per month in savings.

The $857 in monthly savings takes into account car payments, insurance, repairs, fuel, and parking fees. If you think that number is on the high side, consider the $1,218 monthly cost of owning a private vehicle in the first city on the list: New York. Rounding out the top five are Boston ($1,127), San Francisco ($1,095), Seattle ($999), and Chicago ($978).

The study provides us with some idea of the high and often hidden costs of owning and operating a personal vehicle. Car pools, trains, buses, taxis, bicycles, and walking are just some of the many alternatives with the potential to save significant money. But the convenience and necessity of a car are inarguable facts for many individuals, and it is difficult to put a price tag on these things.

The American Public Transportation Association is a non-profit organization that actively promotes the use of public transport in the United States.