Connecting Indiana, Investing In Trails
by State Representative Hollie Sullivan
Investing in infrastructure includes more than just roads and bridges. Improving our infrastructure also means creating and maintaining trails, bike lanes and greenways to increase the quality of life for Hoosiers and visitors. Indiana is taking a number of exciting steps to improve the state’s trails system, which is great for our health, safety, environment and economy.
 A number of efforts are underway to improve access to bike paths and trails like never before. According to the Bicycle Friendly State Report Card, Indiana has made vast improvements in the past five years in its efforts to support and encourage cyclists. The ranking is based on a comprehensive survey completed by state departments of transportation and state bicycling advocates.
Our community is home to a number of great hiking and biking trails like the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage and the Wabash & Erie Canal Trail, but more can be done to connect our area. Improving our trails will help ensure there are fun hiking and biking opportunities for everyone.
 The General Assembly and Gov. Eric Holcomb worked on a number of efforts to promote cycling in Indiana and improve access to trails around the state. The governor announced the Next Level Connections program, which will link Hoosiers to the world around them. The state will make an unprecedented investment of over $1 billion in roads, hiking and biking trails, international flights and broadband that will improve connections for all Hoosiers regardless of where they live, work and play.
Indiana already launched the Next Level Trails program, a partnership between the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Department of Natural Resources, which recently awarded $24.9 million to 17 trail projects throughout the state. Additionally, Indiana created the Bicycle Trails Task Force to investigate ways to make cycling more of a priority in Indiana.
 As Indiana invests in efforts to make it easier for Hoosiers to stay active and connect to the communities around them, more should consider taking advantage of these new opportunities. There are numerous benefits to hiking and riding a bike, like improving physical fitness and changing a state of mind. To learn more about the state’s investments in trails, visit in.gov/dnr/outdoor.
