Issue:

Calling Roads “Trails”

Derail stands firmly against this trail because it’s Name and Design states it as one continous trail. To achieve that, it must funnel users onto roadways and share the exact same space as motorized vehicles. Calling a road a trail is a misleading feature that puts users into a dangerous situation.

The original concept of calling it a single 26 mile trail (now at 20 miles, with future development to 26 miles) can be easily fixed by calling it multiple trails. Each section of trail that is separated by a road can be distinguished by a different name. This concept delivers a clear message as to what people normally expect a trail to be, and are not caught off guard about a trail being on roads once they get there.

What is a trail? The responses would be quite varied: for peace and quite, for scenary, for exercise, to run, to bicycle, to get somewhere, horseback ride, for a mental break, and so on.   Now let’s narrow the question down. When you go to a trail, do you expect motorized vehicles to share the space your in? Most answer this with a clear “NO”.

This is because the definition of trail has been protected by Virginia Code 10.1-204 and entities like Rails to Trails, Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Parks and Recreation must follow this code.

People zero in on the word trail and hear nothing else. A trail should be a trail, and a road should be a road.

Everyone can use a road, including hikers, bicylists, and equestrians. This is no surprise. The aforementioned could use ANY road they want.  Nobody needs a road to be declared a trail to use it for these purposes. Just because a road is called a trail there will be no different rules/laws governing it. When on a road, we must all abide by the same laws.  So then why call it a trail? It only muddies the water for everyones understanding it, creating a more dangerous environment.

Side note; There is misinformation about DeRail wanting to keep horseback riders, bicyclist, and hikers from using a road. We have NEVER said that.  People don’t listen properly or they make it up to promote their own needs. VDOT is also not hearing what we are saying: “that a road should not be CALLED a trail”. Instead, they give us a scripted response saying “everyone is allowed to use the road”.

No one wants to see anybody get hurt. This road is narrow at times, it’s all gravel, has high banks or steep dropoffs with no where to move away from vehicles, and frequent blind curves.

Does that sound like a fun time, having a vehicle come at you and needing to collect the kids and the family dog, hopefully in time to prevent a catastrophe.  No one should  be bamboozled into thinking it is a “normal” road/trail.

Use the above “objection & Solution” to formulate your own response. Perhaps copy it? You’ would need to Change “Derail stands” to “I stand” or something like that.

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VDOT: Mr. Kelly Dunn

Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail; Comment

731 Harrison Ave.

Salem , VA. 24153