PUBLISHER’S LETTER
Awesome Opportunities to Strengthen our Bike Network
A new quarter-mile bike/pedestrian trail has been installed along Rodman Avenue on Arsenal Island from East Street to Chamberlain Drive in an effort to increase biking on the Island.
— by Kathy Wine
As I write, we are waiting for the results of a study by the coalition to determine the statewide economic impact of cycling and trails in Iowa. The original study, conducted in 2012, found it to be around $364.8 million in direct and indirect economic impacts. The ndings are scheduled to be announced at the January 25th meeting of the
stores, restaurants and Mercado on 5th when the trail is installed. On the I-80 Bridge, there has been concurrence amongst the Iowa and Illinois DOTs, as well as the Federal Highway Administration, to fund and construct an approximate 10 X 30-foot overlook beyond the 14-foot multiuse path along the westbound bridge. In addition, the City of LeClaire and Rock Island County have agreed to maintain such an overlook. With it added to the design, the project moves to Phase II, Final Design and Land Acquisition. This I-80 bridge connection is an amazing opportunity to strengthen our bike network. Now we need serious discussion of the MRT extension south and north of the proposed bridge. Just nished, there is now an o -road trail along Rodman Avenue on Arsenal Island thanks to the vision of the Garrison Commander Joe Parker. It is 6-foot wide and a quarter-mile long increasing connectivity and encouraging biking on the Island (see photo above). Looking ahead, 2025 holds fantastic possibilities for us as we prepare to ll in gaps and strengthen our trail network.
T he Quad Cities has opportunities to connect from the riverway trails to the Downtown YMCA, Floreciente Neighborhood, and to the I-80 Bridge. The new links will strengthen connections
Kathy Wine
between communities, tie together our area bike trails network, boost tourism and provide healthy outdoor recreation. When it comes to new trail projects, River Action has always been focused on locations in which we can create connections. “A trail is more than just the sum of its parts,” says Luke Ho man, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. “It is something that provides quality of life and a legacy for future generations.” Bike trails, and recreation trails are connectors that connect people to nature, they connect communities, they connect trails to each other. Connected communities are vibrant communities. Cyclists coming to our communities is a great way to stimulate our local economy.
coalition in Des Moines. They anticipate today’s impact to be much, much more. Here, we continue fundraising and working with the City of Davenport to complete the Firsts Bridge project. Your support has been the driving force behind our mission to create safer, healthier routes for everyone, and we’ve made signi cant strides in fundraising toward a safer crossing of US 67 and the CP rail line to connect with the riverfront trail. Also, the proposed Floreciente Trail will branch o of the MRT at 1st Avenue and Sylvan Island. It will go one-half mile north along 46th St/1st St to 4th Avenue in Moline, and hopefully, someday, connect to Augustana College. People on the trail are more likely to stop and visit Floreciente
February, March, April 2025 | eddy Magazine 3
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