Enjoy area trails with these safety tips in mind

This story first appeared in the 2024 Cycling Guide, a new annual special section distributed in The Gazette aimed at telling the stories of the businesses, people and local efforts that have made The Corridor a cycling destination.

In light of high-profile cases where outdoor recreation has turned dangerous for victims assaulted on trails, it makes sense to keep safety top of mind when cycling, jogging or walking in Eastern Iowa greenspace.

That’s where the Iowa Bicycle Coalition and Linn County Trails Association can help.

Matt Burkey is the Iowa Safe Routes to School manager for the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. He started bike commuting 11 years ago, then got into longer bike rides and treks on gravel roads. The nonprofit promotes safe and enjoyable bicycling in Iowa through education, events, better policy and a community of supporters.

“Cycling outside is great because you get where you need to go while also getting low-impact exercise into your day. It is less stressful than driving, and getting out of a car and onto a bike helps reconnect you to your community instead of being trapped behind a windshield. Bike commuting to the office and other errands meant I only bought gas for my car five times last year,” he said.

Tom Peffer is another outdoor enthusiast. As president of the Linn County Trails Association (LCTA), he has been using trails for 15 years.

Matt Burkey. Submitted photo.

Tom Peffer. Submitted photo.

With over 256 trails across Cedar Rapids, Linn County and Marion, their primary function depends on the user and the type of trail, according to Peffer.

“Protected hard surface trails are used for recreation, transportation and enhanced health by bikers, walkers, roller bladers, wheelchairs and runners. Single track or mountain bike trails are used primarily for recreation by bikers and walkers. Grass or gravel trails are used primarily by walkers, runners and bikers for recreation and enhanced health,” Peffer said.

LCTA is a completely volunteer nonprofit whose mission is to serve as a catalyst for the development of a system of connected multi-use trails throughout Linn County.

“We ‘Make Trails Happen’ by advocating for trails and by raising money to help local jurisdictions develop safe, connected, free to use, multi-use trails,” Peffer explained.

Despite the sometimes challenging Iowa weather conditions, it is possible to use local trails year-round.

“In Cedar Rapids and Marion, the parks and recreation departments blade snow from the hard-surfaced trails after each snowfall keeping those safe and usable for walking (including dogs), jogging and biking,” Peffer said. “This work is critical for those who want to venture out on the hard-surfaced trails during the winter months. Linn County does not maintain hard-surfaced trails during the winter months.”

You can walk or ride fat tire bikes during the winter on any of the trails in Linn County, although Peffer said care should be taken not to walk or ride on trails that have been groomed for cross-country skiing.

Here are his top safety tips for trail users:

“Trails are a great resource to help people of all skill levels ride a bike. They provide a safe place away from moving vehicles. It's great to see so many communities embrace and extend their trails so that more people are comfortable riding their bikes,” Burkey said.

No matter your skill level, all are welcome, Peffer said.

“Get a map. Find a trail. Start walking or biking or running or roller blading or using your wheelchair. Just get outside and start enjoying! Trails are free and can be enjoyed by anyone,” he said.