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River Valley Trails Bicycle Group
River Valley Trails Bicycle Group is a loose organization of bicyclists from Western St. Croix and Pierce Counties in Wisconsin. We are dedicated to enjoying and spreading the opportunities for riding. The group is sponsored by River Valley Trails and uses their web site to organize and publicize group rides throughout the season. The group also helps sponsor the annual Autumn Trek out of River Falls.
Have a say in the Planning of Bike Trails in St. Croix County
St. Croix County is gathering information to update its Bike & Pedestrian Plan. If you want to know what’s happening during the update or receive email updates, go to the project web site.
If you want to contribute to the discussion about where trails should go (or not go), take a moment to open the Wiki Map feature on the project web site or go directly to Wiki Map. Wiki Map will be available through November
The St. Croix County’s contact can be reached through email
Your participation in this process will help the county create a new, vibrant bicycle/pedestrian plan for St. Croix County.
River Valley Trails Partners with Limitless Cycling
River Valley Trails has recently partnered with Limitless Cycling as a fiscal sponsor to aid the organization’s mission of bringing adaptive cycling opportunities to the St. Croix Valley.
River Valley Trails Current Plans Include:
Bicycle safety events
Cycling Without Age
Participate on the Lift and Loop team to promote Loop Trail activities and promotions
Bike Rack and Repair Station placements for City of Hudson, Loop Trail Trailhead and Hudson School System Safe Routes to School
Ongoing and Prior Activities Include:
Conduct “Message in a Box” presentations for St. Croix County Bicycle/Ped Advisory Committee.
Purchase and install Bicycle Rack and Repair Station at Lakefront Park, Hudson. Also, place bike racks in other locations in the Hudson area.
Work with City of Hudson to recommend street improvements and crosswalk improvements to make bicycling and walking in Hudson safer
Work with City of River Falls officials to suggest appropriate bicycle projects
Work with Osceola as advisor on their trailhead/crosswalk project
Fund bicycle related YMCA Youth Projects
Provide bicycle trail maps to Hudson and River Falls’ chambers for visiting bicyclists.
Connect with national, state and local bicycle/pedestrian advocacy groups
Attend educational summits and seminars and other bicycle/pedestrian related activities
Conduct/participate in educational programs/events
Sponsor, plan and conduct annual Autumn Trek Bicycle
Promote off-road, single track. Bicycle teams and other bicycle interests to encourage the advantage of connectivity among all bicycle/pedestrian interests
Promote recreational bike rides keeping diversity in mind
Organize diversified group of bicycle non-profits to present their interests at RiverFest Thursday event
Attend classes and seminars that relate to safe biking and walking and and bikable communities
Partner with ADA, health related groups and other similar organizations to enhance our reach and impact.
Improve opportunities to provide fun, educational and recreational opportunities for all ages in our St. Croix River Valley
Member of Hudson and River Falls Chambers of Commerce
Serve on St. Croix County Bicycle/Ped Advisory Committee
Conduct 21st annual Autumn Trek Bicycle Ride in River Falls, WI
Two representative serve on the Hudson Bicycle Advisory Committee which was proposed by River Valley Trails
Work actively with City of Hudson and St. Croix County staff to advance bicycle/pedestrian projects and promote bicycle/pedestrian safety and education projects
Work with City of Hudson, Hudson School District and County to provide bicycle racks and repair stations at a variety of locations – the loop trail, Hudson Schools and locations throughout the City of Hudson
Attend Bike Minnesota and Wisconsin Bike Federation seminars to increase knowledge of current bicycle/pedestrian opportunities and practices
Participate in Safe Ride to School Day by conducting a bike rodeo and safety presentation at Prescott middle school
Provide a bicycle/pedestrian safety and education booth at community events – such as Neighbors Night Out
Partner with Hudson Hospital, Healthier You, Art Doyle, Hudson Police, YMCA and more to conduct annual Bike Rodeo where we also donate a free bike and helmet
Work with “Healthier Together on their Bike/Walk to School project. Donate a bicycle and helmet to be given away at this event
Participate in 100 Bike Give-away by conducting a Bike Rodeo sponsored by Allina
Pursue Cycling Without Age Project.
Impact on a Community
Safety: Through bike rodeos, River Valley Trails provides safety education for young riders. River Valley Trails also distributes and fits bicycle helmets at these events. From 2015-2018, we gave away a bicycle and helmet through a drawing from all participants’ registration forms. We also gave away a bicycle and helmet to a participant at the Bike to School event during those years. We will continue to do both.
River Valley Trails works with municipalities to encourage/advise ways to make roads and paths safer and more user friendly for bicycles and pedestrians. In 2015, we brought a major bicycle expert from the League of American Bicyclists to River Falls to speak to leaders about ways to upgrade River Falls’ Bicycle Friendly status. This presentation was handled through the Chamber, Park Board and other municipal departments. In 2017, we did the same thing in Hudson.
In 2015, River Valley Trails proposed a Bicycle Advisory Committee for Hudson. That Committee was approved and staffed, and is now meeting.
Tourism: River Valley Trails conducts and support events that bring visitors into our area; working through the Chambers and other partners and by creating our own events, such as the Autumn Trek, bike rodeos and information booths.
Economic impact: Bicycle tourism in Wisconsin is estimated to be over $900 million in 2010. Local businesses that benefit the most in revenues are lodging establishments, restaurants, gasoline stations, grocery stores, retail outlets and amusement businesses. You just have to look across the river to see the tourism benefits of the Brown Creek Trail and Loop Trail amenities in Stillwater, MN.
Health: A current statistic states that 38% of Americans are obese. The health benefits of being able to walk or bicycle to a destination are recognized by all. River Valley Trails partners with Hudson Hospital and Healthier Together to create and sponsor education, safety and health focused activities and events.
Community: Well planned, designed and implemented bicycle and pedestrian paths in a community make that community more livable and desirable, thus increasing its appeal to home buyers, businesses and industry looking for a place to relocate.
Volunteer Driven: River Valley Trails is a totally volunteer organization with no paid position.
Check out these resources
Partnership
Limitless Cycling
Bicycling Advocacy
League of American Bicyclists
Wisconsin Bike Fed
Bike Shops
CrankWorx, River Falls
Spokes & Pedals, Hudson
Bike Safety
A nice guide to bike safety
Commuting By Bike: Safety Guide & Tips
Wisconsin Bike Federation
League of American Bicyclists
Wisconsin DOT
American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons
CDC Head Injury Prevention Guide
Bike Groups
Two Spoke
League of American Bicyclists
Minnesota Department of Transportation – Links