A group of Coastal Georgia leaders meets later today in St. Marys for a four day, four night bike tour and workshop to learn from Northeast Florida leaders about the best and less-than-best of trails already developed and in development. The culmination of 15 months or so of planning by Florida and coastal Georgia trails leaders, this Savannah-Norhteast Florida Workshop on Wheels promises to kick off many great events to come for the Coastal Georgia Greenway.
Chuck Mobley of the Savannah Morning News has it covered in last Sunday’s paper:
“It’s very important for Savannah’s leaders to recognize the importance of cycling and trails,” said Jo Hickson, a retired landscape architect who said she’s been training diligently to get ready for the riding portion of the workshop.
An increase in the number of trails, both on-road and off-road, and the recognition of their importance, would help encourage young professionals to settle in Savannah, Hickson said.
Other cities and counties have put up successful trails, she said, listing the Pinellas Trail, a linear park and recreation trail that extends from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs, Fla., and the Silver Comet Trail, a 61-mile non-motorized route that starts in Smyrna and runs to the Georgia/Alabama state line.
Those trails are a magnet for ecotourists, Hickson said, adding that Savannah, with its historic attractions, and its boating and fishing destinations, should look for ways to lure people who enjoy touring towns on their bicycles.
Her comments were echoed by Mark Woodruff. A member of the Savannah Bicycle Campaign’s board of directors, Woodruff rides with the Savannah Wheelmen, a cycling club that leads rides each weekend and organizes the Nestor Cup racing series.
“I moved here from Alexandria, Va.,” Woodruff said. “They have hundreds of miles of trails up there.”
Vikki Graham also sees benefits in the plan.
A member of the Coastal Bicycle Touring Club, Graham said the development of a Coastal Georgia Greenway, and the resultant increase in cycle-specific roads and trails, could help young people.
“An emphasis on cycling participation could help our kids, too many of whom have developed unhealthy habits and are already suffering from obesity,” said Graham, who is a nurse at Memorial Health University Medical Center.
Surely more will follow this week on the Florida side. We may post some updates from the road here.
Posted on January 14th, 2009 by Drew Wade
Filed under: Bryan County, Camden County, Chatham County, Florida News, Glynn County, Latest News, Liberty County, McIntosh County, What's Happening in My County? | No Comments »
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