QCA pushes to build out bike trail system

Across the Quad Cities, there is an emphasis on adding and connecting the vast trail system in the area.

"We're working on some other connections to help get people north - south," said John Byrnes, Bettendorf Parks and Recreation director. "And once we do that more efficiently, that'll connect and sort of start gridding our trail system."

Cities and trail advocates believe linking bike paths to certain neighborhoods would spur economic development.

"You don't want a trail to just go to nowhere and just end," said Byrnes. "You want a trail to work all the way into LeClaire some day, or you want it to work into what Davenport is investing in."

It also encourages more usage.

"It's so nice to have options that you want to exercise," said Tina Reyes, the president of the Quad Cities Bicycling Club. "Get some fresh air and maybe get somewhere, so you take a bike."

Safety is at the top of mind during the trail additions and upgrades. Moline is expanding a sidewalk along the 27th Street bridge to a ten-foot wide path. It's a common upgrade when parlayed with street construction.

"The thought is that you wouldn't have to get into a car at all to drive your bike to a trailhead and then ride your bike from there," said Bryan Schmid, a project manager with the Bi-State Regional Commission. "The idea is to be able to leave your house on your bike, get safely to your trail and then get where you need to go."

Safety increases when bikes and pedestrians are given specific trails and crossings.

"Studies have shown that crashes, vehicle on vehicle crashes decrease as well, not just vehicle on bicycle or pedestrian crashes," said Schmid. "Visibility is a big thing."

Local cyclists are ecstatic about the infrastructure expansion.

"We just have a really great thing, and it's awesome that the cities are really seeing the impact of what a trail makes on our community," said Reyes.

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