When it comes to defending cyclists around the Greater Philadelphia region, Stuart Leon is the go-to guy. Stuart has been in bicycle crash law for nearly 30 years and works exclusively for bicyclists. When he’s not in the court room defending his clients, you can find him cycling on the Schuylkill River Trail with his wife and daughter. Here’s what Stuart had to say about his involvement with the Circuit Trails and bicycle safety:

Can you describe your connection to the Circuit Trails?

I've been riding from the Art Museum to Manayunk and Conshohocken since the late 1980's. I first learned about the Circuit trails through the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and have been a fan ever since!

What is your favorite trail?

I was overjoyed when the Schuylkill River Trail opened from Locust Street in Center City connecting me directly to Kelly Drive. I use that trail recreationally and for commuting every week – that’s probably my favorite. I value the safe and easy access to the trail at Kelly Drive instead of working my way over to and up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on the streets.

Are you a part of any cyclist groups?

I belong to the Philadelphia Bicycle Messenger Association. I attended the Manayunk Bridge opening with my cyclist group and am looking forward to the exciting kick-off event on April 15!

Can you discuss primary threats to bicycle safety?

As a lawyer working only for bicycle accident and crash victims, I see the worst case scenarios. The primary threats to a bicyclist's safety are the following:

• Distracted Drivers – Drivers are often distracted by their smart phones, using social media and texting, meaning they only give half their attention to the road and what is going on around them. When drivers are distracted, they can hit bicyclists in bike lanes and often don't even know how or why it happened.

• In-Road Obstacles – Slippery trolley tracks and deteriorated street surface also cause a lot of accidents. The trolley tracks coming in and out of South Philadelphia have been abandoned since 1993 and have caused several incidents for my clients. The Circuit Trails provide a reprieve from these threats, protecting riders from distracted drivers and obstacles in the road.

Where does your passion for the Circuit stem from?

I love the Circuit Trails because they are designed for the commuter and provide a safe path to many parts of the city and suburbs.

For more information about Stuart Leon and his Bicycle Crash practice, read the Bicycle Coalition Blog or check out his website.

Photo Credit: Suart Leon

By Katie Harris, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy 

The Philadelphia region is home to one of the country’s largest trail networks, a visionary model that, when complete, will incorporate 750 miles of connected trails leading through urban landscapes and rural countryside. The system is called the Circuit Trails, and the network will be accessible to all residents and visitors, regardless of age, income or experience level.

The network is revolutionizing the way we view trail systems and providing safe routes to business, employment and cultural destinations in the region.

Read the Rails-to-Trails blog to see 10 of the many reasons the Circuit Trails are remarkable: http://bit.ly/1KKn3JL

Photo Courtesy: Montgomery County Planning Commission

By Anya Saretzky, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

In the northeast part of the U.S., a bi-state project called the Circuit Trails is making waves in the walking and biking world. This network, when complete, will include 750 miles of trails in the Greater Philadelphia region covering nine counties in southeast Pennsylvania and South Jersey. Today, 300 miles are complete, with 50 currently in development and 400 yet to be built. Completion is slated for 2040. It’s an ambitious plan, no doubt, but it’s one that captures a vision the region has embraced and will see to completion.

Read more about the region's burgeoning network and the elements that make the Circuit Trails a strong and thriving project on the Rails-to-Trails blog: http://bit.ly/1P3kbcO

Photo courtesy: Mark Willard

By Katie Harris

While it’s easy to stay bundled and cozy at home this December, there are great things to see all along the Circuit Trails this December!

1. Join clinical herbalist Kelly McCarthy on Sunday, December 13 for a hands-on Herbalists Workshop and Family Artists’ Workshop at Bartram’s Garden! According to the event website, workshop participants will “learn about the medicinal and historic use of bitters and explore the ways they might benefit digestion and overall health.” And the best part? You won’t leave empty handed! Participants will take home two bottles of bitters each.  Find more information here: http://bartramsgarden.org/calendar/2015-12-13/

Nearest Circuit Trail: Schuylkill River Trail

2. Further north on the Circuit, the Sigal Museum in Easton, Pennsylvania has plenty going on! On Saturday, December 12, learn about the Battle of the Bulge from WWII Veteran, Morris Metz, who will be joined by two other veterans and will speak about his experience serving under General George Patton.  Find more information here: http://sigalmuseum.org/schedule-of-events/

Nearest Circuit Trail: Delaware and Raritan Canal

3. Think Santa is just a land-faring gentleman? Think again! Meet Scuba Santa at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey. It’s not often that you find St. Nick and a hammerhead shark in one place. Don’t miss it! Find more information here: https://www.adventureaquarium.com/What-to-do-in-new-jersey/Daily-Shows-and-Feeds/Meet-Scuba-Santa

Nearest Circuit Trail: Camden GreenWay

4. Families in Mercer County have a great resource in the Tulpehaking Nature Center, right off of the Delaware and Raritan Canal. Various exhibits and events, including a birdhouse building workshop, naturalist-led hikes, and wildlife scavenger hunts, are being held over the month of December. Find more information here: http://mercercountyparks.org/calendar/

Nearest Circuit Trail: Delaware and Raritan Canal

5. Have you ever eaten breakfast, “chowline style,” on a battleship? We didn’t think so. On Saturday, December 12 you’ll get the chance to do just that on the famed Battleship New Jersey in Camden! Hot breakfast will be followed by a tour of the Battleship. Find more information here: http://www.battleshipnewjersey.org/news_events/?startrow=10

Nearest Circuit Trail: Camden GreenWay

6. Make the journey to Valley Forge and take part in the Annual March In of the Continental Army Commemoration on December 19. You’ll learn about General George Washington’s Continental Army’s arrival to Valley Forge in 1777 and the difficulties they faced during their encampment. After a candle-lit walk to the Muhlenberg Brigade huts, where you’ll learn about the encampment from a living continental camp, swing by the Visitor Center for refreshments and  18th century music. For more information, visit http://www.nps.gov/vafo/planyourvisit/march_in.htm

Nearest Circuit Trail: Valley Forge Trail (Joseph Plumb Martin Trail)

7.  Did you know that President Obama signed one of Camden artist William Butler’s paintings, “Invincible Promise”? When the president visited Camden in May of this year, he signed the painting to commemorate his visit. See the painting, and new pieces by Butler, during Camden’s Third Thursday Art Crawl on December 17. Butler’s work will be presented at Gallery Eleven One and other art events and showings will happen along the Art Crawl route. Find more information here: http://www.camdenwaterfront.com/calendar.php

Nearest Circuit Trail: Camden GreenWay

8.  One would be hard-pressed to find more of a winter wonderland than Cooper River Park’s WinterFest. Lights, treats and ice skating round out this fantastic destination. Can’t make it to WinterFest during the month of December? No problem. The event runs through February 14, 2016. Find more information here: skatewinterfest.com

Nearest Circuit Trail: Cooper River Trail

Whatever and wherever you’re celebrating this year, spend a little time exploring the Circuit Trails!

Photo Courtesy of Camden County Board of Freeholders

Written By: Steve Taylor

Take a ride on The Circuit and you could end up exploring a new trail, crossing a bridge into another town and having a picnic along a river. Or you might end up at work. Fortunately, in the latter case, the trip has the potential to make your commute—and your workday—much better.

Caitlin Youngster commutes by bike from her home in Center City Philadelphia to the architecture firm where she works in Conshohocken. “My commute is just under 15 miles each way and almost all of it is on the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT). As someone who grew up in suburban Florida, it is incredible to me that I can work 15 miles away from where I live and I still don’t own a car.

“If the Schuylkill River Trail didn’t exist, I don’t think I would bike to work. Without the SRT, the ride would involve big hills, busy roads and a commute that would be much different from the serene and stress-free ride that I enjoy now.”

Howard Hess uses several Circuit trails to commute from his home to his workplace, Johnson Matthey in Audubon. “My current commute is 14 miles each way. I live about a quarter mile from the Perkiomen Trail. My route takes me on the Perkiomen, the SRT and the Audubon Loop, then through a housing development and a few back roads. Roughly 11 of those 14 miles are via Circuit trails.

“I really enjoy the way I come into work fully awake and exhilarated after my ride. I can spend the time I’m riding planning out my day, thinking about how I may approach some of the challenges in work.”

James Rebarchak also uses the Perkiomen Trail and the SRT on his commute to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s office in Norristown. Like Johnson Matthey, the DEP office supports bike commuting and participated in the National Bike Challenge this year. “This past bike season we had 19 employees who biked during the challenge. We logged 1062 days riding and 22,260.5 miles. We have a couple very dedicated riders who live along or near the SRT who try to commute as often as possible. One employee biked 152 out of 153 days during the 2015 Bike Challenge. An employee who lives in Reading would drive down to Lower Perkiomen Valley Park and then bike in from there.

“This past year our office received the League of American Bicyclists’ Silver designation as a Bike Friendly Business (BFB). We were excited about receiving this designation and are looking to grow the number of employees who will commute by bicycle. As part of the BFB program, we updated directions to our office to remind visitors that we are located along the SRT, and with advance notice we can arrange for secure bike parking for them.”

James takes advantage of his office’s location on the SRT for the commute home, and he also makes use of another Circuit trail. “I’ll extend the ride in Graterford when I take the Skippack Trail into Skippack before getting on the roads to Harleysville.”

Howard belives that, “commuting by bike is something that many people can do. It requires some planning, preparation and flexibility, but once you’ve got a system down, it is a very enjoyable way to commute. [At Johnson Matthey] we’ve got a few that have added it to their routine after talking through the idea with experienced riders.”

Like James, Caitlin also likes to vary or extend her route on the way home. “I think the best part of The Circuit is the way it connects places. Sometimes I will jump off the trail at Shawmont and cut over to Forbidden Drive, my favorite place in Philadelphia. I would often leave the trail at Green Lane in Manayunk and ride along the Cynwyd Heritage Trail. I’m incredibly excited about the opening of the Manayunk Bridge, which makes this portion of the ride infinitely better!”

Photo Credit: Photo 1 Caitlin Youngster; Photo 2 James Rebarchak; Photo 3 Caitlin Youngster; Photo 4 James Rebarchak

By Steve Taylor

A trip on The Circuit is always better when it includes a trailside snack or drink.

A Pennsylvania and New Jersey loop on the Delaware Canal Towpath and the Delaware and Raritan Canal Trail might include stops at the Point Pleasant Village Store, the Bridge Cafe in Frenchtown or one of the coffee shops in Lambertville within a block from the trail, like Rojo’s.

Exploring the Perkiomen Trail? Have breakfast at the Collegeville Diner, then head toward Green Lane. On the way back to Collegeville, share a stromboli at Moccia’s Train Stop in Schwenksville.

Then there are some destinations that exist because of a trail. They were conceived by trail users and advocates and designed to meet the needs of those who would start, end or take a break from their trips there.

Ken Fields, owner of Outbound Station, has ridden on the Schuylkill River Trail for over 20 years. While biking through Conshohocken, he would often stop at an antique store in the old train station sitting on a hill above the trail.

When the owners decided to close their antique business and lease the property for another use, Ken immediately saw the potential. He knew that he wasn’t the only one who would like a place to warm up with a coffee on a cold morning or to share a meal outside on a sunny afternoon.

Outbound Station features salads and sandwiches assembled in the full kitchen, an assortment of local pastries, and locally roasted La Colombe coffee. They make their own soups as well as their chicken salad and egg salad.

Looking at the cycling posters on the wall, a large selection of energy bars and the floor pump and tool kit in a corner by the coffee station, it’s obvious that a cyclist is the owner. Ken doesn’t require a purchase to fill up a water bottle or to use the restroom or the tools.

For Ken, being situated on the trail is great and being on a popular route is even better.  “We're eight and one-half miles to Valley Forge and 12 miles to the Art Museum. We're roughly that center point where people can start their ride here with plenty of parking on the weekends or use us as a meet point or a mid-point.”

While Outbound Station serves as a waypoint on The Circuit, the Cynwyd Station Cafe and Tea Room is a gateway. Owner Sadie Francis notes that, “When you come to us from the trail, we’re the entrance to Lower Merion Township. When you come to us from Lower Merion, we’re the entrance to the regional trail network.”

Sadie became involved with the development of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail in 2008. Along the way, her expertise in green building was called upon to help plan the reuse of the 1890 Pennsylvania Railroad station that overlooks the trailhead.

“What makes us so special is the entire business is built around the location. Normally when you start a business, it’s the other way around.” Sadie saw the need for a community space for informal gathering and events. She also “asked people what they want, and everyone said ice cream!” So, she sought out a local source and found Jenny and Frank’s Artisan Gelato.

Like everything on the menu, the gelato is made from ingredients available in 1890. For even more of a 19th Century feel, have a phosphate soda with your ice cream sandwich. Less chilly selections include soups and grilled nut butter sandwiches. The well-curated tea menu is complemented by fair trade coffee, hot chocolate and hot lemonade. Everything is prepared and served without the use of plastic.

With the opening of the Manayunk Bridge, a new Circuit segment linking Philadelphia and Lower Merion over the Schuylkill River, Sadie is excited that the Tea Room’s role and that of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail as connectors will grow.

Hundreds of community members, trail advocates and officials convened in the middle of the Manayunk Bridge on Friday to witness a historic moment – the opening of the iconic Manayunk Bridge as a bike-ped bridge.

The new 0.6 Manayunk Bridge Trail connects Lower Merion Township and Philadelphia high above the river and the highway, creating a key link in the Circuit Trails that connects the Cynwyd Heritage Trail with Main Street in Manayunk and the Schuylkill River Trail.

When speaking about the first exclusively pedestrian and cyclists bridge over the Schuylkill River, Jorge Brito of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, said, “the saying ‘never say never’ comes to mind. Projects like this make the city of Philadelphia a landmark.”

Officials, including Mayor Michael Nutter and Elizabeth Rogan gave remarks at the ribbon cutting and reflected on the impact of the project on the region and how it serves as a symbol of the power of collaboration. Mayor Nutter commented “the $5.76 million project revitalized an almost-forgotten bridge and transformed it into a functioning public space that expands and encourages recreational use.”

The story of the Manayunk Bridge Trail is a story of willpower and collaboration. To really appreciate this historic day, one needs to know how we got to this point:

1918 – Manayunk Bridge was built by the Schuylkill Valley Division of Pennsylvania Railroad.

1976 – Bridge was acquired by SEPTA.

1986 – Bridge was closed due to low ridership on the Ivy Ridge Line.

2008-2010 – SEPTA removed the tracks on rail bed and community groups held clean ups, to raise public awareness about restoring the rail line.

Commissioners of Lower Merion Township leased the rail bed from SEPTA and raised the funds to construct the Cynwyd Heritage Trail, which opened in late October 2011.

2008-2009 – The Manayunk Bridge became one of the nine identified gaps in the Complete the Trail campaign that the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia launched with the Manayunk Development Corporation and other organizations.

2010 – The bridge was included in a large proposal written for six counties by the Coalition and Pennsylvania Environmental Council that was submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a grant to build 17 trail segments.

The William Penn Foundation and Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) awarded grants to the Manayunk Development Corporation to conduct a feasibility study of the Manayunk Bridge and Ivy Ridge Trail. These two grants brought all of the stakeholders together to make the project possible.

Late 2010 – The Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities applied for a $1.3 million grant from PennDOT’s Pennsylvania Community and Transportation Initiative for the Bridge, allowing consultants to start designing the bridge trail.

October 25, 2011 – Official opening of Lower Merion Township’s adjacent Cynwyd Heritage Trail.

October 28, 2014 – Officials and residents gathered for the groundbreaking of the Manayunk Bridge Trail. 

October 30, 2015 – Opening of the Manayunk Bridge.

The project, which broke ground last fall, is a visible reminder of the power of a strong vision and collaboration. As Elizabeth Rogan said, “the achievement is a testament to the leadership of individuals and the power of partnership.”

Alas, one more critical piece of the Circuit puzzle is complete, with 450 miles to go to reach 750 miles of interconnected trails in the nine-county region. The next bike-ped bridge over the Schuylkill will not be far behind.  

Barry Seymour, executive director of the Delaware Valley Reginal Planning Commission, put it best when he said the bridge will make us “healthy, wealthy and wise.” So, get out #onthecircuit and use the trail!

For the best route to bicycle to the Manayunk Bridge Trail, explore the Google Map here

The long-awaited event is finally here! The Manayunk Bridge is opening tomorrow after 30 years, and whether you’re a walker, runner, cyclist, or just want to enjoy the city from a new vantage point, join us at 11:00am in the middle of the Manayunk Bridge for the ribbon cutting and ceremony #onthecircuit!  For cyclists, the Bicycle Coalition staff will lead a ride from Cynwyd Station to the Manayunk Bridge opening ceremony at 10:00am tomorrow.

The new Circuit Trail over the historic Manayunk Bridge connects the Cynwyd Heritage Trail with Main Street in Manayunk and the Schuylkill River Trail. The new trail is the first pedestrian and cyclist-only bridge over the Schuylkill River, and opens an inactive railroad asset for public use providing spectacular views of the Schuylkill River valley.

Hope to see you there!

Details:

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 30 at 11:00am

 *Note: There ceremony will take place on the county line in the center of the bridge. Please arrive early to reach the location prior to the start of the event.

WHERE: Middle of the Manayunk Bridge; Parking is at church parking lot at Baker and DuPont

Written By: Steve Taylor

In late July, a group of women active in the Women Bike PHL group organized a bicycle camping trip that took advantage of two connected Circuit segments. The 42-mile route started on the Schuylkill River Trail at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Twenty three miles later, they turned onto the Perkiomen Trail, which lead to the campsite at Green Lane Park.

According to Shelly Salamon, owner of Fairmount Bicycles and one of the organizers, “This trip happened because The Circuit connected us directly to a campsite. We wanted to plan a simple bike trip that would interest both experienced tourists and beginners, and that's exactly the group we got. We were able to get folks on board who were initially intimidated by bike camping.”

Shelly and fellow organizer Caitlin Martin made a video showing what to bring. The clip gave those who were new to bike camping, like Hana Elum, guidance for what to pack and how to carry everything on a bike. For Hana, “the trip seemed like a safe, local, affordable way to try bike camping and a good way to spend a summer weekend and meet people.”

Takia McClendon shared that, “Prior to the Women Bike PHL camping trip, I had no experience with long distance cycling or camping. My longest rides were 8–12 milers in the city or along the Schuylkill River Trail.” The fact that the entire trip was on The Circuit made this new experience inviting for Takia: “I'm fairly comfortable riding on designated bike paths, but I still get nervous riding in traffic. Covering that distance on open roads would have been a little much for me.”

Kiera Smalls, who was also new to long rides and camping, appreciated “the support from the other women, who stayed with me the entire time, made me feel at ease during my first long-distance trip and shared so much knowledge about biking and exploring.”

Rebecca Cweibel is an experienced cyclist and camper, though—like other women on the trip—she didn’t know many of her fellow riders. “When I arrived at the Art Museum meetup spot, I realized that I had only met one person on the trip before. It seemed like most people didn’t know anybody else on the trip, but were looking to branch out over some low-risk bike camping. A few weeks later, someone from the group hosted a potluck at her house. The shared experience of bike camping for a weekend was a quick way to bond.”

Takia’s “highlight of the trip was definitely the bike ride up. Not having prepared for traveling that distance, I had no idea what to expect. My other favorite moment was roasting marshmallows over the campfire. That's something that I always wanted to do as a kid but never had the chance to do it.”

For Kiera, the trip was an eye-opening introduction to the potential of The Circuit: “The fact that I can get through so many towns on connected trails is unbelievable. It definitely showed me that I need to do some more exploring.”

Group Photo Credit: Lauren D'Auria; Riding Photo Credit: Caitlin Martin 

The Schuylkill River is a finalist for River of the Year!  Please vote in this online contest sponsored by PA's Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources and Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers.  Every vote counts!