Parkland's new bicycle route system

Thanks to the work of bicycle advocates and the cooperation of municipal leaders in the Parkland, a new bicycle route has been created that extends through Farmington, Park Hills, Leadington, and Desloge.  According to the Daily Journal:

As Kurt Glore traveled on business, he noticed a trend in cities that he believed would work well on the streets of the Parkland.

In many urban areas, fellow bicyclists had designated routes on which to ride their bikes. These routes used existing roads, unlike bicycle lanes that have to be three-to-five-feet wide with shoulders on the edges of the road. With bike routes, the only cost is for the signage.

Glore wanted a similar route in the Parkland. Although one existed in Farmington, his vision would expand that route into other cities. Glore raised the idea to other members of the Parkland Cyclists, who supported it.

With Glore and Ron Scott at the helm, the group fine-tuned a step-by-step plan they found on the Internet. Glore and Scott went to the three cities to ask for their participation in the project.

Their efforts paid off in an 11-mile route that extends the Farmington trail through Park Hills, Leadington and Desloge. Each of the cities agreed to supply road signs. The route is clearly marked with green and white signs to alert drivers to the presence of bicyclists on the road.

“I really like how eager and cooperative the city administrators and city councils were with this project,” said Glore, former member and past president of the Parkland Cyclists. “The bike route was something that I wanted to see in our area for many years and the collaborative effort that went into the planning and approval was really great. I'm also happy that the cities could work together and agree on making the routes link-up.” . . .

“The route is important because it gives people who are into cycling an opportunity to have a good, safe ride,” Glore said. “I hope that some people see the cyclists out there and get encouraged to improve their fitness. They can use the bike for that for that, too.”

More about the Parkland Cyclists and the routes club members commonly use is here.