Two Adirondack North Country Scenic Byway routes pass through Clinton County: the Champlain Trail and the Military Trail.

Clinton County has the diversity of scenery, terrain, and environments that most cyclists are looking for, including the occasional challenge of a steep hill.

Lake Champlain is a main bicycling strength. Views of water are one of the main preferences of bicyclists. Lake Champlain offers that opportunity. In addition, the Lake Champlain Bikeways effort will provide promotional tie-ins to local efforts.

The potential Canadian connections are a big plus. The area is already a destination for Quebec residents. The appeal of international bicycle trips has great potential.

The recent formation of a Plattsburgh bicycle club is a positive step. Bicycle enthusiasts are a valuable resource for information, publicity, route evaluation, etc. They will do all they can to promote bicycling in the area. Bicycle clubs are a key component of two of the 4 "Es": education and encouragement.

Three successful bicycle shops located in Plattsburgh sell the latest bicycle equipment and

offer expert repairs and advice. The shops are a strong encouragement to bicycling.

There are almost unlimited opportunities for making Plattsburgh more bicycle friendly, from establishing bicycle lanes, to signing bicycle routes, to developing a map, to creating safe crossings over Cornelia Street. Transportation in Plattsburgh has not been designed with the bicyclist and pedestrian in mind. A complete, designated bicycle route system, bicycle friendly sidewalks, dedicated bicycle trails, and bicycle/pedestrian bridges over the main roads (e.g., Cornelia Street near the Malls) are all lacking in Plattsburgh. They are sorely missed since Plattsburgh is a bicycle hub, located at the center of North/South and East/West bicycle routes.

A Cumberland Head Bike Lane Project ISTEA application has been prepared by the Clinton County Planning Department. Presently, Cumberland Head is a hazardous ride by bicycle. Being one of the main New York and Vermont bicycling links, the lack of a paved shoulder on Rt. 314 results in a difficult and dangerous bicycle ride in getting from the ferry to Plattsburgh, especially because of the relatively heavy truck traffic use of the ferry.

A lakeside recreation path on the Plattsburgh Air Force Base Project is being explored by the PAFB Re-Use Commission

The Lake Champlain Bikeways planning effort is providing the backbone of what could be a county-wide bicycle planning and promotion effort. Significantly, the Lake Champlain route through Clinton County will soon become part of the New York City to Montreal bicycle route. Most of the work on the lake side route is in progress: the route along the lake is being evaluated, maps will be produced, and brochures will be distributed.

The City of Plattsburgh prepared an ISTEA proposal for the Durkee Street Pedestrain Enhancement Program.

Opportunities for coordinated bicycle planning and mapping are being addressed by the county Chamber with the assistance of local bicycle clubs and bicycle shops.

Four Adirondack North Country Scenic Byway routes pass through Essex County: the Champlain Trail, Olympic Trail, Lake George-Lake Placid Trail, and the Roosevelt-Marcy Memorial Highway.

Essex County has the diversity of scenery, terrain, and environments that most cyclists are looking for, including numerous lakes and rivers.

Lake Champlain is a main bicycling strength. Views of water are one of the main preferences of bicyclists. Lake Champlain offers that opportunity. In addition, the Lake Champlain Bikeways effort will provide promotional tie-ins to local efforts.

The Champlain Valley Heritage Trail Network is involved in a number of promotional efforts, all offering potential tie-in to bicycle tourism: an interpretive sign program is well underway, a map guide is in production, and a promotional Amtrak schedule is being developed that features activities and points of interest in the county. In addition, agri-tourism promotions are being developed, featuring interpretive tours and lodging at farms in the area.

The potential Canadian connections are a big plus. The area is already a destination for Quebec residents. The appeal of international bicycle trips has great potential.

There are three bicycle shops in Lake Placid, successfully promoting the region to bicyclists.

The Boquet River Association has published a bicycle trail and auto tour map for a number of years. The map features the area near Essex on Lake Champlain, and is one of the few bicycle touring maps available for any area of the region.

Lake Placid is embarking on improving the bicycle and pedestrian use of the popular route around Mirror Lake

With four Adirondack North Country Scenic Byway routes through the county, a county-wide bicycle trail system is already in place.

The development of a Railroad & Mining Interpretative Center has been funded through ISTEA funds. The project will establish a railroad and mining interpretative center at the hub of Port Henry's railroad system. Rehabilitation is planned for a National Register Eligible building that will house exhibits, and landscaping and outdoor elements are also included in the project. The historic district should provide a strong draw to bicyclists.

The recently established Adirondack Visitor's Information Center on the Crown Point Bridge could provide information aimed specifically at bicyclists.

Considering the lack of bicycle shops in the eastern portion of Essex County, there seems to be considerable opportunity for bicycle businesses. The new operators of the old Essex Marina have expressed interest in renting out a 1930's gas station specifically for bicycle rentals and repairs. Keeseville, Westport, Port Henry, and Ticonderoga are also presently lacking a bicycle shop. While market is limited by the low population base, given the promotion of the Lake Champlain Bikeways, promotion of bicycling by the Boquet River Association, and the growing popularity of bicycling, there is opportunity for small bicycle businesses that would provide seasonal income.

The Lake Champlain Bikeways planning effort is providing the backbone of what could be a county-wide bicycle planning and promotion effort. Significantly, the Lake Champlain route through Essex County will soon become part of the New York City to Montreal bicycle route. Most of the work on the lake side route is in progress: the route along the lake is being evaluated, maps will be produced, and brochures will be distributed.

Opportunities for coordinated bicycle planning and mapping are great, given the Boquet Bike Trails work, the work of the Lake Champlain Bikeways group, most recently, the interpretive and promotional efforts of the Champlain Valley Heritage Network.

The opening of Whiteface Mountain Ski Area to mountain biking will have a positive impact on bicycle activities in the county, highlighting the bicycle opportunities available and boosting bicycle business in the area.

There are opportunities for bicycle shops throughout the county, with the exception of the Lake Placid area. A bicycle shop along the Lake Champlain Bikeways route would seem to have high potential.

Three of the 11 Adirondack North Country Scenic Byway routes traverse Franklin County: the Adirondack, Military, and Olympic Trails, providing promotional opportunities related to bicycling.

Bicycle shops in most of the larger communities: Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Malone, and Chateaugay. In addition, southern Franklin county benefits from the bicycle tours and events promoted by Lake Placid bicycle shops.

Franklin County has a mountain biking trail map that is widely recognized for its quality and ease of use.

The Viking Ski and Cycle Shop in Malone has sponsored a bicycle event for a number of years. This type of experience can be tapped for the development of a regional bicycle event that features routes through Franklin County.

The county offers a great diversity of bicycling, from the hilly terrain with mountain views in the southern half of the county, to the relatively open ridge riding in the northern half. In the south, the views feature lakes, a favorite of bicyclists, while in the north, the views include the St. Lawrence River and distant glimpses of Montreal.

Franklin County offers international bicycling, with many possibilities for quiet country loops that cross the border into Canada.

The Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce has developed a regional reputation for successfully hosting large sports events. The chamber staff could offer advice on developing a regional or sub-regional bicycle event.

Big Tupper Ski Area is beginning to host mountain biking events. There is also a private mountain biking facility in Tupper Lake.

Paul Smith's College features bicycle weekends, offer special rates. The college was also host to the NY Ride Across the State, which passed through the North Country in 1994 for the first time in many years.

The Upper Saranac Lake/St. Regis area in the south is currently being promoted by a group of businesses in the area. They are developing a map of the area that might provide an excellent opportunity for promoting bicycle routes in the area.

The Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) at Paul Smith's currently provides information on bicycling in the Adirondack Park portion of the county. The VIC staff are considering developing a series of maps of the Adirondack Park that would likely feature bicycle routes.

Traffic count data for selected roads indicates that the back roads are lightly traveled, making them attractive bicycle routes (see AADT Appendix table).

The three Scenic Byway routes in the county provide a solid basis for a county-wide bicycle trail system.

The development of the Union Depot in Saranac Lake as a transportation and tourism information center is being considered for funding under the ISTEA Enhancements Program. The Depot will be the hub of a bicycle and walking trail system throughout the community. It will also be a regional information center for bicycling the Adirondack North Country Region. It might also serve as a depot for an excursion train line between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid if current plans are successful.

Significant opportunity lies in the development of a dedicated bicycle trail system in the southern part of Franklin County. A recreation corridor already exists along the Remsen - Lake Placid railroad right-of-way, and it has high priority status in DEC state-wide trail planning efforts. Significant opportunity lies in initially developing and promoting the trail system between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. This is especially appropriate given the relatively large amount of traffic on the road between the two communities. The trail system would serve to attract and retain visitors to the area; and serve as a training route for Olympic athletes.

The Town of Keene submitted an ISTEA Enhancements application for their portion of the proposed dedicated trail system. While the goal is a regional trail system, fashioned somewhat after the successful Jack Rabbit cross-country ski trail, it is recognized that trail will come to fruition piece by piece, section by section. The trail will likely not be a consistent, paved, dedicated trail throughout its length. It some areas it will be on wide shoulders, in others on quiet village streets, and in the Lake Placid/Saranac Lake area, it will ideally follow the route of the railroad right-of-way.

A bicycle route from Keeseville to Port Douglas on Lake Champlain is being considered for ISTEA funding under the Enhancements Program.

Opportunity lies in cooperative ventures with Quebec and Ontario bicycle promotion efforts. This would primarily benefit the northern part of the county. Inn to inn and campground to campground loops that incorporate lodging and attractions on both sides of the border would be especially attractive. Given the language differences, it is necessary to develop bi-lingual promotional materials and maps. Additional small business opportunity lies in establishing guided bicycle tours, lead by bi-lingual guides.

A town-wide recreation path system is being considered by the Town of Altamont. A portion of the path could follow the Niagara-Mohawk (NIMO) right-of-way through the Village of Tupper Lake. The lighted path would connect the school, civic center, and downtown, providing a safe route for children.

The Town of Franklin, in the Vermontville area is planning a bike path linking the Town Hall to the recreation park being constructed on the edge of town.

The potential for rails-to-trails conversions should be carefully assessed at the county level. One of the former rail lines through the northern part of the county has been transferred in part to private land owners. The loss of this public transportation corridor is a loss both to those who enjoy bicycling and walking, and to the tourism economy. As reported in this planning document, dedicated trail systems generate local tourism expenditures, and they often become tourist destinations in and of themselves.

There should be additional opportunities in the county for ISTEA Enhancements applications. In the first funding round there was one Franklin County project among the 30 applications submitted from the Adirondack North Country Region. Similarly, in the 2nd funding round there appears to be only one Franklin County project among the 36 submitted from the region.

Based on the popularity of the county's mountain biking map for the southern part of the county, the county tourism office should explore the production of a county-wide bicycle route map.

There is possible economic opportunity in establishing bicycle shops in Fort Covington and Hogansburg.

A main bicycle strength in Fulton County is the effort being devoted to developing the Fj&g Rail Trail, an 18 mile undeveloped trail following the Fonda, Johnstown, and Gloversville Railroad between Fonda and Broadalbin. The County Chamber and interested citizens have formed a committee to develop the trail for walkers, joggers, and bicyclists. Besides its historic attributes, the trail offers varied scenery including streams, marshes, woodlands, farms, and communities. This type of trail system serves to attract visitors to the area, and provides recreation and enjoyment to residents.

Another bicycle strength in Fulton County is its tradition in hosting bicycle racing events. The roads around Great Sacandaga Lake play a major role in that tradition. The Sacandaga roads were an Empire State Games qualifying route in the past, and appear to have been used for Olympic training and trials. Most recently, Gloversville resident Jack Papa organized a 614 mile qualifying event for the Ride Across America. It was one of three training races in the country and drew the most participants of the three. The 67 mile course went around the entire Sacandaga Lake, and the event ran in 1987, 1988, and 1989. The riders stayed in the area for a week, and 100s of people attended the festivities.

The Fulton County Bike Race Weekend is a well-known event, having been held for 12 years. It attracts hundreds of participants and provides excellent visibility to bicycling. As with the bicycle events in general, it not only brings in tourism dollars for the event, it also provides participants with a favorable view of the area and often leads to their returning to bicycle at another time.

Great Sacandaga Lake, as noted above, is a widely recognized and popular bicycling area.

Fulton County offers a diversity of scenery, terrain, and environments. Most cyclists are looking for this type of diversity, including the occasional challenge of a steep hill.

The chambers, bicycle shops, and others have experience in cooperative bicycle planning within the county as evidenced by the efforts to expand the Fj&g Rail Trail.

Traffic count data for selected roads indicates that the back roads are lightly traveled, providing the possibility of being recommended as bicycle tour routes.

Significant opportunity lies in the development of the Fj&g Trail. This type of multi-purpose recreation trails attracts visitors and retains them in the area. The Stowe Recreation trail in Stowe, Vermont recorded close to 3,000 users in a single Sunday in September 1993. A study of the Elroy-Sparta Trail in Illinois found that nearly half the users came from out-of-state, traveled close to 300 miles, and had $25 in trip-related expenditures in 1988. Along with offering alternative transportation possibilities, thereby favorably impacting parking and pollution problems, the location of the Fj&g trail could significantly enhance downtown shopping possibilities and increase the use of parks, libraries, and other public spaces in the county.

Tourism development opportunity lies with increased promotion of bicycling around Great Sacandaga Lake. A map of the area, jointly developed with Saratoga County, would lead to increased bicycling in the area.

Bicycle routes that link to the Canal Trail system in Montgomery County to the south also offers significant opportunity.

The development of a county-wide bicycle route map would aid in the promotion of bicycling in the county.