{"id":1531,"date":"2025-07-01T21:47:57","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T21:47:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.derailthetrail.org\/?page_id=1531"},"modified":"2025-07-10T11:56:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T11:56:19","slug":"changing-r2t","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.derailthetrail.org\/?page_id=1531","title":{"rendered":"Calling Roads “Trails”"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#9fb5a0″ custom_padding=”1px||1px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.derailthetrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/unnamed.png” title_text=”unnamed” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#7fad14″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”15px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Issue:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”15px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-13px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Calling Roads “Trails”<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|||8px|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The objection:<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#0f0f0f” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”-27px|20px||25px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|||8px|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

A solution:<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#0f0f0f” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”-27px|20px||25px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|||8px|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

A clear definition matters.<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#0f0f0f” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”-27px|20px||25px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 \u00a0Now 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”.<\/p>\n

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

People zero in on the word trail and hear nothing else. A trail should be a trail, and a road should be a road.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|||8px|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

And what is a road?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#0f0f0f” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”-27px|20px||25px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Everyone can use a road, including hikers, bicylists, and equestrians. This is no surprise. The aforementioned could use ANY road they want.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 So then why call it a trail? It only muddies the water for everyones understanding it, creating a more dangerous environment.<\/p>\n

Side note<\/strong>; There is misinformation about DeRail wanting to keep horseback riders, bicyclist, and hikers from using a road. We have NEVER said that.\u00a0 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”<\/strong>. Instead, they give us a scripted response saying “everyone is allowed to use the road”.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|||8px|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

This is about safety<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#0f0f0f” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”-27px|20px||25px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 No one should\u00a0 be bamboozled into thinking it is a “normal” road\/trail.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|||8px|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Act Now !<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#0f0f0f” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”-27px|20px||25px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#0f0f0f” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”-27px|20px||25px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

There is an active link below to send comments.\u00a0Some computers have security features that block the use of the email button. When that happens, you need to use your regular email service and type in the email address given below.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Be sure to include in the Subject Title….<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail: Comment<\/strong>“
<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”25px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

email hidden; JavaScript is required<\/span>