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An on-campus Greenway for RIT

RIT is already leading a potential bicycle renaissance in Rochester, with significant environmental and economic impacts on the city and the region.

By building an on-campus Greenway–a year round walkway/bikeway across campus– RIT could improve its campus, improve student life, promote innovation, promote sustainability, and integrate RIT’s industrial-sustainability types with our ecological-sustainability types.

The overall vision is grand.  The first step could be simple.  Prototype a covered, bikeable/walkable path over, or parallel to, the QuarterMile.   (RIT students are already spec’ing out structural and paving options, including heatable floors for ice control).

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RIT as interchange for Genesee Valley Greenway, Lehigh Valley North Trail, and, of course, RochesterGreenway

RIT should build a bike bridge across the river and be a bike bridge joining the Genesee Valley Greenway and the Lehigh Valley North Trail.

As previously noted, Mitch Rosen and I have come to realize that RIT could connect the Genessee Valley Greenway (just south of Jefferson Rd) and the Lehigh Valley North Trail (LVNT) up to UR and the City.
This might be a strategic linkage.
  • with regard to RIT, see this post (an on campus Greenway would connect RIT’s two new extremities Global Village and Park Point)
  • with regard to the RochesterGreenway (=Lehigh Valley North Trail here) , this would join it to the GVGreenway.
  • with regard to the potential NYPA Greenways (the 230 mile superset to Williamsport), this would be a big advance
  • with regard to the Genessee Valley Greenway, our impression is that it peters out just to the north of this point.  This would ncrease the Genessee Valley Greenway’s utility and value.
Details:
Some googling lead me to believe there is a connecting trail.
So this afternoon, I went cross country skiing to look for the connecting trail.  
At around the right place (A), I did find an embankment going West-East across the trail.
There was a stone bridge over the creek on the West side of the trail, but fallen trees  (under the snow, at least) no obvious trail to the East.
When I circled back and drove back to Scottsville Rd just south of Greyson Rd, I found what might be the West end of that same cross-trail:
a break in a wooden fence, a marked telephone pole “RGE 111, 228” and a sign pointing to Clearview Farms apartment.  (B)
And when I hiked West from the Road, there was a clear view to (what I believe was) the GV Trail.
RIT should build a bike bridge across the river and be a bike bridge joining the Genesee Valley Greenway and the Lehigh Valley North Trail.
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RIT could unify the Genesee Valley Greenway and the Rochester Greenway

Mitch Rosen points out that the Genessee Valley Greenway peters out just west of RIT’s Red Barn and suggested that a bike bridge  (built by our own Civil Engineering students?) across the River would allow one to bike all the way from Cuba NY to the City without travelling a major road.


We went for a brief drive and it looked great, as does some further scrutiny via Google Earth!


The missing link
The big picture

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Wegmans unveils plans for East Avenue store | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle

Now just suppose this became an anchor location for a bike connection along University Avenue and Blossom Road that integrated ArtisanWorks, ArtWalk, the RochesterGreenway….

Wegmans unveils plans for East Avenue store | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle

THE STORE

  • The East Avenue Wegmans is the company’s lone remaining store in the city and its smallest in the region. It first opened in 1962 at just more than half its current size, and was expanded in 1980.
  • The new store would be more than double in size and include a Market Café, more prepared foods, a larger pharmacy and an expansion of nearly every department.

    • FILE DOWNLOADS

    “We don’t have a position (on the proposal),” said Dorraine Kirkmire, senior city planner. “Basically, that is the goal of the Environmental Impact Statement, to gather all the information we need to make prudent decisions about the project.”

    The city anticipates spending two weeks reviewing the document, then releasing it to the public next month. There will be time for public review, comment and a public hearing. Added Kirkmire: “I’d rather people have comments on a proposal once they have all the information available to them.”

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    Rails-to-Trails Conservancy:: Trail of the Month: Walkway Over the Hudson, New York

    Rails-to-Trails Conservancy:: Trail of the Month: Walkway Over the Hudson, New York

    Built in 1888, the 1.25-mile Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge launched out across the Hudson River in New York. Considered a technological wonder, the mammoth structure towered 212 feet above the water and became the longest railroad bridge in the world. It connected downtown Poughkeepsie on the east bank and Lloyd on the west, providing an important link for trains carrying Pennsylvania coal to factories in New England. At its peak, the route serviced 3,500 train cars a day.

    After a fire severely damaged the tracks in 1974, though, nearby communities debated whether to tear down the railroad relic. The bridge sat idle for nearly 20 years before local advocate Bill Sepe began promoting the idea of restoring the landmark as a pedestrian walkway.

    On October 3, huge crowds swelled the bridge to celebrate its grand opening. “It was awesome,” says Erik Kulleseid, deputy commissioner for open space protection with New York State Parks. “We had 40 to 50,000 people there. We thought we were going out on a limb projecting the bridge would get 267,000 annual visitors, and we had 300,000 in the first month and a half! It’s been extraordinary.”
    The Walkway just before it opened, taken from a helicopter © David Rocco
    The Hudson River Valley, viewed from the Walkway © Fred Schaeffer
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    Greenways 101

    Greenways 101 (Pennsylvania is ahead of us!)

    Greenways 101

    What is a Greenway?

    The word “greenway” means different things to different people. Since the 19th century, “greenway” has been used to describe a variety of linear corridors across the land that conserve natural areas and provide people with recreation and transportation opportunities. Often greenways are associated with off-road trails, such as the Appalachian Trail or the Pine Creek Rail-Trail, although not all greenways include trails.

    There is a growing national movement to promote greenways, especially since 1987 when the President’s Commission on American Outdoors recommended establishing a nationalgreenways network. A greenways network is similar to a roadway network, which connects all kinds of destinations through a linear system. However, a greenways network is designed for recreation, conservation, and smart land use – a network for people, nature, and “livable” communities.

    Greenways are often established and managed through partnerships between municipalities, counties, and non-profit organizations.

    Story of PA Greenways
    Frequently Asked Questions
    Benefits of Greenways
    Greenways Glossary
    Clearinghouse Database

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    John Curran's Vision

    x

        John Curran (last seen here ) is incorporating the RochesterGreenway into his vision for network of Biking, Hiking, and Historical Trails in SW Rochester.

     He also suggests that the Pedaling History Museum be located in the same neighborhood (so people could bike to Museum.  How cool is that?)

    Perhaps there could be a home…in the Susan B. Anthony Preservation District which includes several vastly underutilized 19th century factory buildings. It’s located on West Main Street near Nick Tahou’s.

    I can’t think of a more appropriate location locally.

    Some of the buildings in this area were part of the former Cunningham Carriage Manufactory which dealt with “spoked wheel” carriages, ambulances, hearses and, later, custom-built luxury automobiles and aircraft.  There is an effort underway to restore one of the Cunningham buildings and I believe the owner wants to display some Cunningham memorabilia on-site.

    ….The bicycle history fits in with the late 19th Century Industrial period that the Preservation District includes and hopes to showcase.  Susan B. herself marveled at the freedom that bicycles gave to women.

    …There will be quite a bit of improvement to the attractiveness of this District in the years ahead in an effort to draw tourism from the Aqueduct (Broad Street at South Ave) westward to the Susan B. Anthony Preservation District. This route is called the Rochester Heritage Trail and will have interpretive signage installed along the route in the year ahead.

    The Susan B. Anthony Preservation District is the destination for a “Genesee Valley Canal Heritage Trail” intended for bicyclists that I’m championing. 

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    DFNYC – Democracy For New York City – Toxic Natural Gas Drilling in NY State?

    Why is this relevant?

    The Greenway is a positive economic/ecological strategic alternative to Natural Gas extraction.

    Lake Ontario and the Genessee River are at the Northern End of a watershed that comes right out the Marcellus Shale zone.

    DFNYC – Democracy For New York City – Toxic Natural Gas Drilling in NY State?

    Toxic Natural Gas Drilling in NY State?
    Written by Bernadette Evangelist
    Friday, 09 October 2009

    Report from DFNYC member Dan Jacoby:

    Across the southern tier of New York, from the Hudson River to Lake Erie – including the New York City watershed – and extending through Pennsylvania, West Virginia and part of Ohio, 7,000 feet underground, is a rock layer called “Marcellus shale.” This rock layer contains enough natural gas in New York alone to meet current U.S. demand for 20 years, and gas drillers want it.

    The process drillers use to get the natural gas is called hydraulic fracturing, or “hydrofracing.” They pump huge amounts of water, sand and chemicals into the ground, opening fractures in the rock and pulling the natural gas out. Unfortunately, at best they only reclaim about 70% of the fluid. The rest is left behind – and it gets into the water supply. There is also new information showing that drilling may be putting toxic chemicals into the air.


    Report from DFNYC member Dan Jacoby:

    Across the southern tier of New York, from the Hudson River to Lake Erie – including the New York City watershed – and extending through Pennsylvania, West Virginia and part of Ohio, 7,000 feet underground, is a rock layer called “Marcellus shale.” This rock layer contains enough natural gas in New York alone to meet current U.S. demand for 20 years, and gas drillers want it.

    The process drillers use to get the natural gas is called hydraulic fracturing, or “hydrofracing.” They pump huge amounts of water, sand and chemicals into the ground, opening fractures in the rock and pulling the natural gas out. Unfortunately, at best they only reclaim about 70% of the fluid. The rest is left behind – and it gets into the water supply. There is also new information showing that drilling may be putting toxic chemicals into the air.

    In other states where hydrofracing has been used in various rock formations, far less of the fluid is used, and the health of local residents is still permanently damaged. Their symptoms are consistent with multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other diseases.

    In addition, natural gas also gets into the water supply. Earlier this year, NBC News did a story about a Colorado couple who could literally light their tap water on fire. On New Year’s Day, in Dimock, PA, a water well exploded from natural gas buildup – that natural gas has been traced to drilling in the Marcellus shale layer there.

    New York City’s water supply is one of only five nationwide that doesn’t require a filtration plant. Allowing gas drilling in our watershed will change that, will probably cost upward of $20 billion – and still may not adequately protect our water supply.

    Earlier this year, Councilmember James Gennaro introduced Resolution 1850, which calls on the state legislature to ban hydrofracing in the New York City watershed. On September 30, Councilmember Tony Avella introduced Resolution 2191, which calls on the state legislature to ban hydrofracing statewide. Co-sponsors to date are: Charles Barron, Gale Brewer, Letitia James, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Rosie Mendez.

    As New York moves closer to beginning hydrofracing, Pennsylvania has put a moratorium on the process, due to the environmental ha
    zards.

    Meanwhile, the NY state Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released a draft report on this issue (http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/58440.html ). It’s long, complex – and often avoids the real problems associated with hydrofracing. ProPublica describes it at: http://www.propublica.org/feature/new-york-state-paves-way-for-gas-drilling-with-release-of-review-930

    Action Item

    DFNYC members may soon be asked to comment on this issue. Meanwhile, feel free to call your council member in support ofResolution 2191. A 60-day comment period is now open on the DEC report at:http://www.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps/SGEISComments/ . You can also ask for an extension of the comment period: http://www.citizenscampaign.org/action_alerts/alert1009.htm

    There are a lot of organizations involved in this issue. We want to provide links that help you find out about this and take action. Here are some of the ones we’ve found, but the fact that we’re providing these links does not mean that we endorse them or their actions. We’re just gathering information. Let us know what you find out as well.

    Groups involved in the issue:

    1. http://damascuscitizens.org/
    2. http://nyh2o.org/index2.html
    3. http://catskillmountainkeeper.org/index
    4. http://www.riverkeeper.org/
    5. http://www.newyorkwater.org/
    6. http://www.catskillcitizens.org/news.cfm


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    City Newspaper. Rochester: an emerging world-class cycling spot

    Back to News Articles

    CYCLING: Rochester: an emerging world-class cycling spot

    By Jeremy Moule on December 16, 2009

    Andrew Dollard, Gary Young, and Frank Regan, all members of the Rochester Cycling Alliance. PHOTO BY MATT DETURCK

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    Cyclists race through downtown Rochester during the 2007 Twilight Criterium. FILE PHOTO

    Rochester Cycling Alliance's Andrew Dollard says that he wants cyclists to have a voice in city planning. PHOTO MATT DETURCK

    High Falls is a stunning natural landmark and attraction in downtown Rochester, but to people bicycling through the city on the Genesee Riverway Trail, there's no clear, marked way to get there. Cyclist Jon Schull says that he takes a different route each time because he doesn't know the best way to go.

    "We are already one of the best bicycling destinations in the world, but no one is telling that story," says Schull, a member of the newly formed Rochester Cycling Alliance, an advocacy group. "And if you were going to tell that story, you'd want to take care of a few embarrassments, like what's the right way to ride to High Falls? And how do I get from High Falls back on the trail that will take me up to Seneca Park and Lake Ontario?"

    Schull is one of several people trying to hammer home just how close the Rochester region is to becoming a world-class cycling destination.

    The region has plenty of scenic and functional trails, unique attractions like the city's Turning Point Park, several thriving cycling cultures, and a top-notch amateur racing circuit. The Rochester cycling scene got a big boost from the professional races in downtown organized by Full Moon Vista owner Scott Page. Racers and spectators packed into downtown for the events. The next step was supposed to be the six-day Tour de New York race, which was originally set to debut this past summer. Page postponed the race a year because of money, but he plans to hold it in 2010.

    Representatives of cycling's international governing body met with Page in 2007, the year the Twilight Criterium became an internationally sanctioned race, to talk about ideas for a multi-day tour race in and near Rochester – the Tour de New York. They were extremely interested, Page says, because of New York's international name recognition.

    "They knew this terrain incredibly well," Page says, of the Rochester-Finger Lakes-Western New York region. "It's some of the nicest riding on the continent."

    The Criterium has been a high-profile event, but the region's high-profile trails can be a draw, too. Each year, the state Canal Corporation measures usage of the Erie Canal Trail. During 2008, the number of people on different sections along the trail between Genesee Valley Park and Perinton Town Park ranged from about 100,000 and 200,000, half of whom were cyclists. Monroe County is one of the more active areas along the canal system, says Carmella Mantello, director of the Canal Corp.

    On the tourism side, 500 bicyclists travel the canal trail each year as part of the Cycling the Erie bicycle tour.

    But if Rochester wants to be a true cycling destination, it has an obstacle to overcome: government officials and cycling advocates – and even the different cycling groups in the region – haven't worked closely together. That's starting to change. The Rochester Cycling Alliance, which brings together cyclists from different groups and backgrounds, wants to take an active role as city officials develop a Rochester cycling master plan.

    "We want to see bicyclists have more of a voice in the city planning process," says Andrew Dollard, a member of the Cycling Alliance.

    The city has $250,000 in regional transit funds for bicycle-related improvements, as well as $2.1 million in federal funding over the next four years for projects on or connecting to the Genesee Riverway Trail. The 16 miles of completed trail run between Ontario Beach Park and Genesee Valley Park, though there's a break in the downtown area.

    The city plans to form an advisory group with members from transportation agencies, environmental groups, and cycling groups. Among other things, that committee will evaluate trails, determine appropriate locations for bicycle lanes and shared-use lane markings ["sharrows"], and develop policies that encourage bicycle-friendly facilities in new construction projects. The city's ultimate goal is to earn Bicycle Friendly Community status from the League of American Bicyclists.

    The city's in the process of hiring a consultant for the project. City Planning Director Charles Thomas says he expects the contract will take effect at the start of the city's next fiscal year, July 1.

    How does a planning document relate to the region's potential as a cycling destination? The same improvements that will make the city more hospitable to the cyclists who live here will also make the city more attractive to visiting cyclists.

    Bicycle master plans are also being developed in some Rochester suburbs, which will help the region's cycling appeal, says Richard DeSarra of the Rochester Bicycling Club. Penfield has completed its plan, and Brighton is preparing to start. But the different communities also need to make sure that plans and projects in one place tie into the efforts in another.

    Making the Rochester region bicycle friendly and a cycling destination will also require passionate local leaders with clout to push for the necessary policies and projects, Page says.

    One way to make the region more bicycle-friendly is for municipalities to make sure they connect existing trails and trail segments. Over the past decade or so there has been progress, DeSarra says.The Erie Canal trail and the Genesee Valley Greenway are examples; they even connect to each other. But there's still work to be done on those trails, such as making more connections or offering better markings.

    The Greenway, combined with the Genesee Riverway, provides a straight shot from RIT to downtown, says Jon Schull, an RIT professor who's involved in bicycling-related projects at the school. The Greenway and Riverway are actually the most direct way to get from RIT to downtown. And the University or Rochester is along the way.

    Students could live downtown "without having to worry about cars and parking and all of that," Schull says. "So I see that as a real transportation innovation that could make a difference."

    The Greenway and the Erie Canal trail are not complete or connected in certain parts, mostly in lesser-populated areas. If they were, those paths could be useful to commuters, Dollard says. They could act as a bicycle highway from outlying areas into the city.

    On a broader scale, there's the potential to connect trails from Lake Ontario and the City of Rochester to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, via 230 miles of trails, including the Genesee Riverway Trail and the Genesee Valley Greenway. The only hurdle is a few short gaps and one 20-mile gap that need to be connected, Schull says.

    And that doesn't even touch on the cycling opportunities that are available in the Finger Lakes region, east of the Greenway. Bike-based scenic tours and wine country tours are already popular.

    DeSarra sees potential for bicycle-based heritage tourism. A visitor could bike into Rochester on the Erie Canal trail, hop on to other local trails and visit sites related to Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, or the Underground Railroad, then continue on to Canandaigua, Seneca Falls, or Auburn.

    "We've got some great cultural things that would bring them in," DeSarra says.

    Comments for "CYCLING: Rochester: an emerging world-class cycling spot " (3)

    City Newspaper is not responsible for the content of these comments. City Newspaper reserves the right to remove comments at their discretion.

    User Photo

    it is unfortunate said on Dec. 16, 2009 at 10:41am

    It is unfortunate that so many irresponsible bike riders ruin the reputation of bicyclists for those who are responsible, law-abiding riders.

    User Photo

    groc said on Dec. 16, 2009 at 1:38pm

    Rochester is a great location for all forms of cycling, Allot of towns are starting to look at making long term decisions making the roads and creating connectivity to make a more bike friendly community. Victor is a good example. Lets not forget about the trails off-road as well as the on road routes

    User Photo

    rochester99 said on Dec. 16, 2009 at 2:51pm

    Biking on and off road in the Metro region of Rochester has to be among the best in the country. As an avid off-road/mountain biker who has experienced the best in urban bike trails (Toronto, Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Austin…), I can easily state that Rochester has many outstanding biking assets…but like many other valuable assets in our region…we tend to ignore or underfund them.

    The region is dotted with many great segments of biking but because they lack proper signage, amenities and continuity…they loss their potential impact. I have often taken my mountain bike along both sides of the Genesee River…from the Erie canal north to Lake Ontario ….passing many outstanding sites…upper falls, lower falls, the massive pedestrian bridge crossing the river near Seneca park, Seneca park zoo and the lower swan lake, the recently completed one mile long raised bridge over the west side of the River near turning point Park, several active marinas, the Lighthouse at Charlotte and ending at the Pier at Charlotte Harbor. Most of the trip does not cross any roads…at times you think you are in the middle of Letchworth state Park. 
    Other impressive stretches of bikeways exist along Lake Ontario at Durand Eastman Park and of course the Erie canal towpath….and still many more others that are sprinkled throughout the region.

    But until we take this asset serious and willing to accelerate funding/investing in these trails, we will just have a “potential” asset rather than an outstanding/valuable asset. 

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    Jon.Schull@rit.edu

    Sent from my iPhone 585-738-6696; pls excuse tyops.

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    City Newspaper. Rochester: an emerging world-class cycling spot

    Back to News Articles

    CYCLING: Rochester: an emerging world-class cycling spot

    By Jeremy Moule on December 16, 2009

    Andrew Dollard, Gary Young, and Frank Regan, all members of the Rochester Cycling Alliance. PHOTO BY MATT DETURCK

    Recommend Article
    Total Recommendations (1)

    Cyclists race through downtown Rochester during the 2007 Twilight Criterium. FILE PHOTO

    Rochester Cycling Alliance's Andrew Dollard says that he wants cyclists to have a voice in city planning. PHOTO MATT DETURCK

    High Falls is a stunning natural landmark and attraction in downtown Rochester, but to people bicycling through the city on the Genesee Riverway Trail, there's no clear, marked way to get there. Cyclist Jon Schull says that he takes a different route each time because he doesn't know the best way to go.

    "We are already one of the best bicycling destinations in the world, but no one is telling that story," says Schull, a member of the newly formed Rochester Cycling Alliance, an advocacy group. "And if you were going to tell that story, you'd want to take care of a few embarrassments, like what's the right way to ride to High Falls? And how do I get from High Falls back on the trail that will take me up to Seneca Park and Lake Ontario?"

    Schull is one of several people trying to hammer home just how close the Rochester region is to becoming a world-class cycling destination.

    The region has plenty of scenic and functional trails, unique attractions like the city's Turning Point Park, several thriving cycling cultures, and a top-notch amateur racing circuit. The Rochester cycling scene got a big boost from the professional races in downtown organized by Full Moon Vista owner Scott Page. Racers and spectators packed into downtown for the events. The next step was supposed to be the six-day Tour de New York race, which was originally set to debut this past summer. Page postponed the race a year because of money, but he plans to hold it in 2010.

    Representatives of cycling's international governing body met with Page in 2007, the year the Twilight Criterium became an internationally sanctioned race, to talk about ideas for a multi-day tour race in and near Rochester – the Tour de New York. They were extremely interested, Page says, because of New York's international name recognition.

    "They knew this terrain incredibly well," Page says, of the Rochester-Finger Lakes-Western New York region. "It's some of the nicest riding on the continent."

    The Criterium has been a high-profile event, but the region's high-profile trails can be a draw, too. Each year, the state Canal Corporation measures usage of the Erie Canal Trail. During 2008, the number of people on different sections along the trail between Genesee Valley Park and Perinton Town Park ranged from about 100,000 and 200,000, half of whom were cyclists. Monroe County is one of the more active areas along the canal system, says Carmella Mantello, director of the Canal Corp.

    On the tourism side, 500 bicyclists travel the canal trail each year as part of the Cycling the Erie bicycle tour.

    But if Rochester wants to be a true cycling destination, it has an obstacle to overcome: government officials and cycling advocates – and even the different cycling groups in the region – haven't worked closely together. That's starting to change. The Rochester Cycling Alliance, which brings together cyclists from different groups and backgrounds, wants to take an active role as city officials develop a Rochester cycling master plan.

    "We want to see bicyclists have more of a voice in the city planning process," says Andrew Dollard, a member of the Cycling Alliance.

    The city has $250,000 in regional transit funds for bicycle-related improvements, as well as $2.1 million in federal funding over the next four years for projects on or connecting to the Genesee Riverway Trail. The 16 miles of completed trail run between Ontario Beach Park and Genesee Valley Park, though there's a break in the downtown area.

    The city plans to form an advisory group with members from transportation agencies, environmental groups, and cycling groups. Among other things, that committee will evaluate trails, determine appropriate locations for bicycle lanes and shared-use lane markings ["sharrows"], and develop policies that encourage bicycle-friendly facilities in new construction projects. The city's ultimate goal is to earn Bicycle Friendly Community status from the League of American Bicyclists.

    The city's in the process of hiring a consultant for the project. City Planning Director Charles Thomas says he expects the contract will take effect at the start of the city's next fiscal year, July 1.

    How does a planning document relate to the region's potential as a cycling destination? The same improvements that will make the city more hospitable to the cyclists who live here will also make the city more attractive to visiting cyclists.

    Bicycle master plans are also being developed in some Rochester suburbs, which will help the region's cycling appeal, says Richard DeSarra of the Rochester Bicycling Club. Penfield has completed its plan, and Brighton is preparing to start. But the different communities also need to make sure that plans and projects in one place tie into the efforts in another.

    Making the Rochester region bicycle friendly and a cycling destination will also require passionate local leaders with clout to push for the necessary policies and projects, Page says.

    One way to make the region more bicycle-friendly is for municipalities to make sure they connect existing trails and trail segments. Over the past decade or so there has been progress, DeSarra says.The Erie Canal trail and the Genesee Valley Greenway are examples; they even connect to each other. But there's still work to be done on those trails, such as making more connections or offering better markings.

    The Greenway, combined with the Genesee Riverway, provides a straight shot from RIT to downtown, says Jon Schull, an RIT professor who's involved in bicycling-related projects at the school. The Greenway and Riverway are actually the most direct way to get from RIT to downtown. And the University or Rochester is along the way.

    Students could live downtown "without having to worry about cars and parking and all of that," Schull says. "So I see that as a real transportation innovation that could make a difference."

    The Greenway and the Erie Canal trail are not complete or connected in certain parts, mostly in lesser-populated areas. If they were, those paths could be useful to commuters, Dollard says. They could act as a bicycle highway from outlying areas into the city.

    On a broader scale, there's the potential to connect trails from Lake Ontario and the City of Rochester to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, via 230 miles of trails, including the Genesee Riverway Trail and the Genesee Valley Greenway. The only hurdle is a few short gaps and one 20-mile gap that need to be connected, Schull says.

    And that doesn't even touch on the cycling opportunities that are available in the Finger Lakes region, east of the Greenway. Bike-based scenic tours and wine country tours are already popular.

    DeSarra sees potential for bicycle-based heritage tourism. A visitor could bike into Rochester on the Erie Canal trail, hop on to other local trails and visit sites related to Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, or the Underground Railroad, then continue on to Canandaigua, Seneca Falls, or Auburn.

    "We've got some great cultural things that would bring them in," DeSarra says.

    Comments for "CYCLING: Rochester: an emerging world-class cycling spot " (3)

    City Newspaper is not responsible for the content of these comments. City Newspaper reserves the right to remove comments at their discretion.

    User Photo

    it is unfortunate said on Dec. 16, 2009 at 10:41am

    It is unfortunate that so many irresponsible bike riders ruin the reputation of bicyclists for those who are responsible, law-abiding riders.

    User Photo

    groc said on Dec. 16, 2009 at 1:38pm

    Rochester is a great location for all forms of cycling, Allot of towns are starting to look at making long term decisions making the roads and creating connectivity to make a more bike friendly community. Victor is a good example. Lets not forget about the trails off-road as well as the on road routes

    User Photo

    rochester99 said on Dec. 16, 2009 at 2:51pm

    Biking on and off road in the Metro region of Rochester has to be among the best in the country. As an avid off-road/mountain biker who has experienced the best in urban bike trails (Toronto, Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Austin…), I can easily state that Rochester has many outstanding biking assets…but like many other valuable assets in our region…we tend to ignore or underfund them.

    The region is dotted with many great segments of biking but because they lack proper signage, amenities and continuity…they loss their potential impact. I have often taken my mountain bike along both sides of the Genesee River…from the Erie canal north to Lake Ontario ….passing many outstanding sites…upper falls, lower falls, the massive pedestrian bridge crossing the river near Seneca park, Seneca park zoo and the lower swan lake, the recently completed one mile long raised bridge over the west side of the River near turning point Park, several active marinas, the Lighthouse at Charlotte and ending at the Pier at Charlotte Harbor. Most of the trip does not cross any roads…at times you think you are in the middle of Letchworth state Park. 
    Other impressive stretches of bikeways exist along Lake Ontario at Durand Eastman Park and of course the Erie canal towpath….and still many more others that are sprinkled throughout the region.

    But until we take this asset serious and willing to accelerate funding/investing in these trails, we will just have a “potential” asset rather than an outstanding/valuable asset. 

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    Cities for Cycling

    Yesterday, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (“BRAIN”) reported on a new initiative called Cities for Cycling:

    www.bicycleretailer.com/news/newsDetail/3513.html

    According to BRAIN,

    Cities for Cycling is a new effort by city governments to promote best practices in urban cycling and to increase the use of bicycles to improve urban mobility, livability and public health while reducing traffic congestion and CO2 emissions.

    Bikes Belong and the SRAM Cycling Fund are providing support for Cities for Cycling—a project of the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO). Cities for Cycling is comprised of transportation and elected officials from Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

    Let’s hope Cities for Cycling will allow smaller cities like Rochester into the fold.
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    Cities for Cycling

    Yesterday, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (“BRAIN”) reported on a new initiative called Cities for Cycling:

    www.bicycleretailer.com/news/newsDetail/3513.html

    According to BRAIN,

    Cities for Cycling is a new effort by city governments to promote best practices in urban cycling and to increase the use of bicycles to improve urban mobility, livability and public health while reducing traffic congestion and CO2 emissions.

    Bikes Belong and the SRAM Cycling Fund are providing support for Cities for Cycling—a project of the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO). Cities for Cycling is comprised of transportation and elected officials from Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

    Let’s hope Cities for Cycling will allow smaller cities like Rochester into the fold.