‘Cycle Corbin’ kicks off campaign to make town more bike-friendly

Corbin officials believe the city can become a destination for bicycle enthusiast and they are seeking the public’s help to plan area bike routes.

Using maps available at Corbin City Hall or You and Me Coffee and Tea, residents are being encouraged to submit their favorite cycling routes in the area.

Corbin Downtown Manager Andrew Salmons said those routes will be reviewed by the Cycle Corbin Committee to determine which should be included in the Cycle Corbin effort.

“There is a two-fold objective,” Salmons said. “One is to increase tourism and the other is a public health campaign in Corbin.

Salmons noted that while cycling is more prevalent in urban areas, it can become a major tourist attraction for smaller towns.
He used the town of Damascus, Va., as a prime example. While the town on the Virginia, North Carolina state line in the Blue Ridge Mountains has a population of just 1,200, it draws hundreds of thousands of people to ride and walk the numerous trails in and around the town.

On the website, www.damascus.org, Damascus bills itself as, “Trail Town, USA.”

Once the routes are chosen, Salmons said Cycle Corbin will work with Corbin Tourism, state and local officials to create dedicated bike/walking paths along the routes.

“You are looking at a long-term, long-range infrastructure project,” Salmons said, noting it could easily be tied in with attractions, such as Cumberland Falls and Laurel Lake.

Because it would extend beyond the city limits, Salmons said installing a trail along U.S. 25W to Cumberland Falls would require state approval, but it would benefit the city, regional and state economy.

There are multiple places within the city that could serve as hubs for bicyclists, who want to drive to the area to use the trails. These include the parking lots on Depot Street, City Hall and even local schools.

“One possible trail would maybe begin at the middle school and go out Fifth Street to the primary school and back,” Salmons noted.

Salmons added that London is working on a bike/walking trail project as well, but it is further along. Their plans are in place and they are moving towards implementation. With state help, it would be possible to tie London and Corbin’s trails together on U.S. 25.

When asked about issues with bikes and walkers so close to vehicle traffic, Salmons noted that it is a common sight in places like Lexington.

“On Main Street in Lexington there is a dedicated bike lane between the parking and traffic lane,” Salmons noted. “You get used to it.”

Salmons said the goal is to have the initial planning completed within the next two months.

Financially, Salmons noted there are a number of sources, including state, federal and even private to help with such projects.

“We will be looking at all of them,” Salmons said.

In addition, Salmons said officials are planning to begin a cycling educational campaign, focused on awareness and safety and other bike-related themes. Salmons said the goal is to have that up and running by the beginning of the new school year.

Salmons said the goal is to make Corbin bicycle friendly, not only for the tourist, but for residents.

“We want to make it fun and desirable for those who want to be able to get around Corbin safely on a bike,” Salmons said.

Salmons emphasized that the committee is open and new people and new ideas are welcomed and encouraged. Information about the committee meetings is available on the Cycle Corbin Facebook page.