Shared-use paths and trails play a critical role in supporting the region’s transportation and recreational facilities. They function as the interstates of the bicycle and pedestrian network, enhancing mobility while providing access to jobs, businesses, parks, and more. They are also expensive to maintain and are not supported by federal and state funding programs. As a result, local jurisdictions must be strategic when conducting maintenance activities.

To address these factors and concerns, R1 is developing its first-ever State of the Trails Report. This report will provide local jurisdictions with the data they need to develop targeted maintenance plans. By leveraging this data, they can ensure that the region's paths and trails continue to service communities, supporting mobility and recreational access for years to come!

In addition to being shared publically and with local jurisdictions, the report will also inform R1's 2026 Greenways Plan. It will allow the Greenways plan to expand its scope and provide a more comprehensive assessment of current conditions in the region, leading to more informed strategies and recommendation for improving the region's greenways network. For more information on the 2026 Greenways Plan, click here.

A shared-use path is a path designed for multi-modal use, accommodating pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized modes of transportation. Shared-use paths are often paved for easy access, have clear markings and signage, and are typically found alongside roads or in urban areas.

A trail on the other hand, is primarily designed for hiking or cycling in natural or rural areas. Trails may be used for more specific recreational activities like mountain biking or hiking and often have more varied terrain.

To support this goal, R1 is building a data bike, equipped with cameras and sensors. R1 staff will travel around the regions' shared use paths and trails on the data bike, collecting several valuable pieces of data that will be used to improve bicycle infrastructure in the Rockford Region. The data points to be collected during the assessment are listed below.

All of the data collected during the assessment will be used to create a report detailing the condition and user experience of each shared-use path and trail in the Rockford Region. The data will be presented at both the system level and path and trail level.

R1 is building a data bike, equipped with cameras and sensors, and R1 staff will travel around the regions' shared use paths and trails on the data bike, collecting several valuable pieces of data that will be used to improve bicycle infrastructure in the Rockford Region. R1 owns the data bicycle and all of its components, and intends to use it to repeat the assessment in future years.

We are in the process of building our data bike. Stay tuned for pictures and descriptions of its components.