The county-wide bicycling touring routes recommended for inclusion in ANCA's regional bicycle touring system need to be evaluated by local bicycle clubs, bicycle shop owners, highway officials, Chamber officials, and other interested citizens. In addition, discussions with adjoining counties are necessary to ensure the continuity of routes. As a result of that process, the major, regional bicycle touring routes will be selected and a regional bicycle map developed.

The regional bicycle routes eventually selected should be given priority status for repair and maintenance by local highway departments. Local highway departments are essentially the caretakers of the region's bicycle touring facilities. Types of activities that should occur on those routes include: shoulder repair and maintenance, including regular sweeping throughout the bicycle season; re-allocation of the roadway to allow for a striped shoulder where ever possible and at what ever width is possible; increase in shoulder width when possible during reconstruction and repair; bicycle route signs if approved at the county level. "Share the Road" signs should be considered where bicycle route signs are inappropriate. Where routes go through communities, bicycle friendly features should be incorporated where possible, such as striped lanes, off-street parking, limited or timed on-street parking, and lower speed limits.

The county, regional, and state 5 year road maintenance and construction schedules need to be examined to see where bicycle improvements can be incorporated into the scheduled plans. While the Transportation Improvement Plans (TIPs) list the priority road projects for the next five years, the final design of those projects is often adjustable. Therefore, bicycle improvements can often be incorporated as a part of the project, rather than as a separately funded activity.

Bicycle parking locations need to be located by Chambers of Commerce and tourism groups throughout the county. Many bicyclists are on day trips and desire a safe, easily accessible location where they can park their car for the day. These locations should be highlighted on all maps and promotional materials. Parking areas near Scenic Byway routes are especially crucial.

Each county should act quickly to ensure that no additional railroad rights-of-way are lost from public use. Counties need to exercise their first right of refusal to deter adjacent landowners from acting quickly and quietly to obtain abandoned rights-of-way. Once lost, those rights-of-way are difficult, and expensive, to re-acquire. The Oswego County planning department can provide information on their successful approach to ensuring that abandoned railroad rights-of-way remain in the public domain.

The placement of bicycle racks at all major hiking and recreation trail heads should be coordinated among counties, NYSDOT, NYSDEC, and interest groups. One example is the bicycle racks established in 1994 at a trail head in the Old Forge area.

Modern, inexpensive bicycle racks should be installed outside all public buildings and major shopping locations in the North Country. Racks, especially sheltered from the rain, are a major encouragement to bicycling.

Each North Country county should select two bicycle/pedestrian advisory committee members who will attend transportation-related meetings at the local and state level. Members should represent the business community (e.g., bicycle shop owners), bicycle clubs, and the general tourism business community. One member could be designated by the county legislature, the other selected by the ANCA Tourism Committee among a pool of potential members from each county.

Bicycle planning needs to occur in and around all communities in each county. Bicycle route planning is rare at the community level throughout the region, with the exception of the MPOs that are mandated by law to complete bicycle plans. Bicycle planning needs to occur at the local level before the less experienced bicyclists will begin to leave their cars at home.

Bicycle safety courses should be occurring in all communities in the region. Safety education encourages bicycling, and involves the whole family. Bicycle safety materials and safety course guide books are available through local police departments, the Governors Traffic Safety Committee, and the NYS Department of Health.

County Chambers of Commerce should participate with bike shop owners, bike club members, and other interested citizens in developing county-wide bicycle maps. These county mapping efforts should be coordinated with ANCA's work, as well as with other local and regional efforts, in order to standardized symbols, route descriptions, etc. Provide French translation as appropriate.

Each county-wide bicycle planning effort should coordinate with bicycle planning activities occurring in adjacent counties and regions. Bicycle routes should be continuous across political boundaries.

French translations incorporated into bicycle promotions should be considered throughout the region, and should always be used in counties bordering on the St. Lawrence River, Quebec, and Lake Champlain. Quebec tourism officials are planning to reciprocate in their bicycle tourism promotions.

Bicycle maps featuring the Canadian border area should present the border near the middle of the map, rather than at the top of the map. Canadian tourism officials can supply cartographic information for the Ontario and Quebec portions of the map.

A Plattsburgh Air Force Base Bicycle Route should be developed. From the south, the Lake Champlain Bicycle Route enters the city on Route 9, the main route then becomes narrow and congested. A designated route through the Base would provide a safer, more pleasant bicycle route into the central city. A route is being proposed through the Base along Lake Champlain.

Route 9B, Coopersville to Rouses Point: this section of road requires improved shoulders.

City of Plattsburgh should continue to develop a Plattsburgh bicycle route system with signs, strips, and maps.

Address how to make the Cumberland Head routes as bicycle friendly as possible by adding shoulders for bicyclists and joggers given the space constraints of the scenic lake shore route.

The Kent Falls bridge to Morrisonville has been closed to automobile traffic and has been a popular bicycle route, however the barricade across the roadway preventing auto use is constructed in such a way to make it very difficult to get a bicycle across the bridge. The County should consider making this a bicycle route and adjust the barricade to facilitate bicycle use.

Designate Plattsburgh and Clinton County representatives to regularly participate in the Lake Champlain Bikeways planning effort.

Work closely with Quebec bicycle planning officials.

The three Scenic Byway routes in the county should be promoted as the basis of a county-wide bicycle trail system.

Clinton county's county-wide bicycle map should coordinate with ANCA's effort and the Lake Champlain Bikeways group to use standardized symbols, route descriptions, etc. Provide French translation where possible.

Chamber of Commerce should continue to develop a working relationship with the Richelieu Valley Tourism group and other Quebec tourism organizations to develop regional bicycle promotion materials feature international bicycle trips. Focus especially on maximizing tourism-related income in small, rural communities near the border.

County bicycle advocates should work with Franklin County and southern Quebec tourism groups to develop maps and promotional materials specifically featuring the northern portion of Clinton and Franklin counties, a unique region with many features attractive to cyclists. This would be an extension of ANCA's "Military Trail" in the Adirondack North Country Scenic Auto Trail System. Inter-regionally, a route through this area would link the Lake Champlain Bikeways route to the Seaway Trail bicycle route. To attract bicyclists, maps should feature back roads, historic sites, and local industry (e.g., orchards, fish farms) on both sides of the border. There is potential for a number of loops that incorporating border crossings, as well as promotion of B&B-to-B&B cycle trips.

Give high priority to highway improvements to the routes along Lake Champlain to maximize tourism benefits from the Lake Champlain Bikeways effort.

Likewise, local highway departments should give high priority to the Boquet River bicycle routes.

The local communities should continue to work towards for bicycle friendly improvements to the Keesville to Port Douglas road, as reflected in the ISTEA Enhancements application for that route.

Bicycle advocates throughout the county work with the Boquet River Association to learn from their bicycle planning efforts, and to link the Boquet routes to other parts of the county.

Essex County bicycle advocates should work closely with Lake Champlain Bikeways, Vermont, and Quebec bicycle planning officials.

Safe bicycling advocates in Essex and Franklin County need to continue exploring options for a bicycle trail system linking Keene Valley to North Elba, and beyond. Since a portion of the route will be separate from the road, site planning appears to be an important first step. The tourism potential of the proposed trail system should encourage all local, county, and regional planning organizations in the area to work towards its completion.

The four Scenic Byway routes in the county should be promoted as the basis of a county-wide bicycle trail system.

Essex County bicycle advocates should work closely with Lake Champlain Bikeways, Vermont, and Quebec bicycle planning and promotion organizations.

Bicycle tourism promotion should be integrated into the ongoing promotional efforts of the Champlain Valley Heritage Network.

Bicycle Routes need to be developed in and around all the large communities in Franklin County, namely Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake, and Malone. Bicycle route planning is not occurring at the community level, and needs to do so before less experienced bicyclists will begin to leave the car at home.

Collaborative planning should begin for the Placid-Remsen recreation corridor as a rails-with-trails development effort. Interested groups should be pulled into the process that presently includes railroad advocates and NYSDEC personnel. Bicycle shop owners, outfitters, guides, lodging owners, and tourism promoters, as well as hiking, skiing, and snowmobile clubs, should all be encouraged to participate in the process. The common thread linking the interests is the development of a multi-use recreation route that provides maximum economic benefit to local businesses. The rails-with-trails effort would become a recreation destination if the planning effort includes all the players, considers all the options, and begins developing promotional themes and images.

Bicycle advocates in the Franklin and Essex Counties need to explore options for a bicycle trail system linking Keene Valley to Saranac Lake.

The three Scenic Byway routes in the county should be promoted as the basis of a county-wide bicycle trail system.

Northern Franklin County tourism planners should establish links with Clinton County, St. Lawrence County, Seaway Trails, Quebec, and Ontario to develop international bicycle maps and promotional materials.

Franklin county bicycle promotion should link to the activities of the VIC related to mapping and bicycling. Links to the promotions of the Upper Saranac Lake/St. Regis group should also be established.

Bicycle Routes need to be developed in and around all the large communities in Fulton County, namely Johnstown, Gloversville, Mayfield, Broadalbin, and Northville. The Fj&g Trail will provide one alternative for bicyclists, and could provide the focus of a fully developed community bicycle route system that would link schools, libraries, parks, government facilities, and shopping in the eastern portion of the county.

Bicycle improvements are needed around Great Sacandaga Lake, primarily on the county and local roads. Both Fulton and Saratoga County highway departments should cooperate in the effort. The round the lake route has great bicycle tourism opportunity, as evidenced by the popularity of bicycle events and tours currently held in the area. Significantly, Sacandaga roads were an Empire State games qualifying route in the past.

Planning should continue on the Fj&g Trail, with attempts made to bring all entities on board in supporting its development and completion. All levels of government, civic groups, and businesses need to actively work towards its completion. The current committee is moving ahead with the project despite their not receiving funding under the ISTEA Enhancements Program. This demonstrates their commitment to this necessary project. While there are numerous rails-to-trails projects being undertaken in the region. The Fj&g Trail has the potential of being the most useful for transportation -- a key ISTEA requirement -- since it passes through the center of the largest communities in the county. The trail development organization should explore additional sources of funding, some of which are listed elsewhere in this report.

Chambers of Commerce and other bicycle advocates should develop a working relationship with the Saratoga County Chamber to develop a Bicycle Great Sacandaga Lake promotional campaign. The main goal will be to develop a map that focuses specifically on the lake area, and that prominently features points of interest, food, lodging, and other businesses.

Chambers and others should explore promotions and linkages to the Barge Canal Recreationway to the south of the county. Work can be undertaken with Montgomery County to develop loops and tours off the Canal up into Fulton County.

Hamilton County should assess the extensive snowmobile trail network in the county for potential bicycle use. The combination of on-road and off-road routes would be very attractive to bicyclists.

Bicycle planners in the county need to work closely with the NYSDOT to ensure that future improvements to state highways have the necessary bicycle friendly components, since the state routes comprise the majority of highways in Hamilton County.

County officials should become involved in collaborative planning for the Placid-Remsen recreation corridor as a rails-with-trails development effort that can be complemented by active rail use at sites such as Thendara. The common thread linking the interests is the development of a multi-use recreation route that provides maximum economic benefit to local businesses. The rails-with-trails effort would become a recreation destination if the planning effort includes all the players, considers all the options, and begins early developing promotional themes and images.

The three ANCA Scenic Auto Trails should be actively promoted as bicycle routes. County bicycle maps could show both on and off-road routes, appealing to a wide diversity of bicyclists.

Cooperative bicycle promotion efforts with adjacent counties are encouraged. For example, a bicycle event featuring a ride from Old Forge to North Creek would draw attention to the great bicycling in the three counties linked by the route.

Herkimer County should assess the extensive snowmobile trail network in the county for potential bicycle use. The combination of on-road and off-road routes would be very attractive to bicyclists.

When available, the Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation plan should be examined for its bicycle facility recommendations

County officials should become involved in collaborative planning for the Placid-Remsen recreation corridor as a rails-with-trails development effort that can be complemented by active rail use at sites such as Thendara.

The two ANCA Scenic Auto Trails should be actively promoted as bicycle routes. County bicycle maps could show both on and off-road routes, appealing to a wide diversity of bicyclists.

Cooperative bicycle promotion efforts with adjacent counties are encouraged. For example, a bicycle event featuring a ride from Old Forge to North Creek would draw attention to the great bicycling in the three counties linked by the route.

Promotions of the cross-state Bike Route 5 route should feature bicycle friendly routes leading off the main route to key historic sites, scenic areas, and business districts.

Bicycle routes need to be developed in and around Watertown.

Development should continue of the Seaway Trail Interpretive Center and the bicycle tourism facility near Henderson Harbor.

The rails-to-trails projects from Clayton to Philadelphia should be completed, as should the Black River to Watertown project.

Improvements to bicycling in the Watertown area would link the city to the tremendous bicycle opportunities offered by the Seaway Trail and the numerous routes linking the county to St. Lawrence, Lewis, and Oswego counties.

The county, in cooperation with NYSDEC, NYSDOT, and regional organizations, should inventory all rail lines in the county and plan for acquisitions that will link rails-to-trails projects within the county, and to adjacent counties.

The bicycle shops in the county are primarily in the Watertown area. There may be bicycle shop business opportunities in the northern and southern portions of the county.

The two Scenic Byway routes in the county provide should be promoted on maps and brochures as the counties major bicycle routes.

Jefferson county tourism organizations should continue to expand links Ontario tourism planners to create international bicycle routes and maps.

Lewis County highway departments should continue to work with bicycle planners and promoters by aggressively maintaining and improving the designated county bicycle routes.

Possibilities for a bicycle trail along the Lyons Falls to Burdicks Crossing rail line should continue to be explored.

The County should examine its bicycle links to the Watertown area, especially exploring possible links to the developing Black River rails-to-trails project. Bicycle loops into Lewis County off that trail could have significant tourism opportunities.

The County should work with adjacent counties to ensure the continuity of bicycle routes through the region, including both touring and Mt. Biking routes.

The two Scenic Byway routes in the county provide should be promoted on maps and brochures as the counties major bicycle routes.

The county-wide bicycle mapping effort will result in the first county-wide, on- and off-road bicycle route map in the region. The maps should be widely distributed in bicycle shops throughout the region, using the bicycle shop listing attached to this report.

Lewis County tourism organizations should continue to expand links with Ontario tourism promoters, encouraging the creation of international bicycle routes and maps that include the unique and varied bicycling opportunities offered by Lewis County.

Herkimer County should assess the extensive snowmobile trail network in the county for potential bicycle use. The combination of on-road and off-road routes would be very attractive to bicyclists.

When available, the Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation plan should be examined by bicycle advocates and local officials throughout the county for its bicycle facility recommendations

Planning officials should continue to coordinate bicycle links with adjacent counties.

The two ANCA Scenic Auto Trails should be actively promoted as bicycle routes. County bicycle maps could show both on and off-road routes, appealing to a wide diversity of bicyclists.

Cooperative bicycle promotion efforts with adjacent counties are encouraged. For example, a bicycle event featuring a ride from Old Forge to North Creek would draw attention to the great bicycling in the three counties linked by the route.

Promotions of the cross-state Bike Route 5 route should feature bicycle friendly routes leading off the main route to key historic sites, scenic areas, and business districts.

Local bicycle planners should assess the bicycling needs on Route 3 by Pulaski, so that any improvements can be included in the 1995/96 highway work. That section of the Seaway Trail route is especially bicycle unfriendly now, especially at the numerous bridge crossings.

NYSDOT should work with county planners in designing a bicycle/pedestrian/snowmobile crossing over Interstate 81, near to where it crosses Route 49, just north of Oneida Lake. There is a major East/West multi-purpose trail system in that area, used by snowmobilers in the winter and bicyclists and pedestrians in the spring, summer, and fall. A bridge crossing is needed in that area, as there are no alternative, safe crossings nearby. At present there is a problem with snowmobiles making illegal crossings of Interstate 81.

The Oswego County Planning and Community Development office should complete its county-wide assessment of all rail lines, highlighting those lines most desirable for inclusion in the county trail system.

As one of the more diligent counties in the region in maintaining their railroad rights-of-way as public rights-of-way, the county should continue to work with neighboring counties in assessing and prioritizing rails-to-trails efforts.

When available, the Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation plan should be examined for its bicycle facility recommendations that might pertain to routes entering Oswego County.

The two ANCA Scenic Auto Trails should be actively promoted as bicycle routes.

Oswego County Planning and Community Development Departments should work with the County Promotion and Tourism Department and the private sector in developing and printing a county bicycle map. The county planning office has completed most of the route development, while the private sector could design the map and sell advertising to pay for its production. The network of dedicated bicycle trails available in the county would be very attractive to visitors and residents alike.

With the many groups actively involved in evaluating bicycle facilities in the county: the Saratoga County Heritage Trail Committee, the City of Saratoga Springs Open Space Plan, the Glens Falls Urban Area Transportation Council, and the Capital District Transportation Committee, there are not many suggestions to be made.

The northeast part of the county, primarily around Great Sacandaga Lake, is one area that may be in need of facility assessment. Both Fulton and Saratoga county highway departments should cooperate in the effort. The round the lake route has great bicycle tourism opportunity, as evidenced by the popularity of bicycle events and tours currently held in the area. Significantly, Sacandaga roads were an Empire State games qualifying route in the past.

To include off-road bicycle facilities on the Adirondack North Country Regional Bicycle Map, those trails will need to be available in a GIS format. The county should digitize all their routes as soon as possible.

The Adirondack North Country Scenic Byway routes in the county should be promoted as one aspect of the county-wide bicycle trail system.

Chambers of Commerce and other bicycle advocates should develop a working relationship with the Fulton County Chamber to develop a Bicycle Great Sacandaga Lake promotional campaign. Main goal would be to develop a map focusing specifically on the Lake area, and would prominently feature points of interest, food, lodging, and other businesses.

French translations should be considered on some promotional materials in anticipation of the New York City to Montreal bicycle route.

Chambers and others should explore promotions and linkages to the Champlain and Erie Canal trail systems.

Bicycle Routes need to be developed in and around all the large communities in St. Lawrence County. Canton is setting the example with their proposed Canton Area Bicycle Trail, featuring a combination of on- and off-road routes, linking schools, colleges, shopping, recreation, etc.

Bridge crossings into Canada could be made much more bicycle friendly, enhancing cross border bicycling in the county.

The County should inventory all rail lines in the county and plan for acquisitions to link the rail projects within the county, and to adjacent counties.

County bicycle advocates need to communicate with Ontario bicycle planners to coordinate bicycle route planning across the border.

The three Scenic Byway routes in the county should be promoted as the basis of a county-wide bicycle trail system.

St. Lawrence tourism planners should establish links with adjacent counties, Seaway Trails, Quebec, and Ontario to develop international bicycle maps and promotional materials.

To complement its excellent work in developing dedicated bicycle trials, and mountain bike routes, Warren county needs to evaluate on-road linkages to those routes. The forth coming Glens Falls Urban Area Transportation Plan should address many of those needs in the southern part of the county. A similar assessment should take place in the northern part of the county.

Route 9N between Lake George Village and Lake Luzerne is in need of wider shoulders where ever possible, as is 9N from Lake George Village to Bolton Landing. These roads are presently very hazardous for bicycling, yet could provide important bicycle links between Lake George Village and the extensive network of Mt. Biking trails in Warren County, as well as to bicycle routes around Great Sacandaga Lake and north along Lake George. While improvements would still not make them advisable bicycle routes in peak season, they could become considerably more pleasant to bicycle in the off seasons.

Coordinate bicycle route planning with adjoining counties.

The Adirondack North Country Scenic Byway routes in the county should be promoted as one aspect of the county-wide bicycle trail system.

Chambers of Commerce and other bicycle advocates should develop a working relationship with surrounding counties, especially Hamilton and Essex counties, in developing bicycle maps that feature a multi-county area.

Cooperative planning could apply to routes as well. For example, a bicycle event featuring a ride from Old Forge to North Creek would draw attention to the great bicycling in the three counties linked by the route.

French translations should be considered on some promotional materials in anticipation of the New York City to Montreal bicycle route.

Chambers and others should explore promotions and linkages to the Champlain and Erie Canal trail systems.

A number of bicycle facilities are being developed in and around Washington County, including the Champlain Canal, the Feeder Canal, Lake Champlain Bikeways route, and the New York City to Montreal route. Possible linkages to these activities need to evaluated and made bicycle friendly.

Bicycle friendly needs outside the jurisdiction of the Glens Falls Urban Area Transportation Council need to be evaluated.

Coordinate bicycle route planning with adjoining counties in New York and Vermont.

The Adirondack North Country Scenic Byway routes in the county should be promoted as one aspect of the county-wide bicycle trail system.

Chambers of Commerce and other bicycle advocates should develop a working relationship with surrounding counties, and Vermont counties, in developing bicycle maps that feature a multi-county area.

French translations should be considered on some promotional materials in anticipation of the New York City to Montreal bicycle route.

Chambers and others should explore promotions and linkages to the Champlain and Feeder Canal trail systems.