Utah Unveils 'Ambitious' 3,100-mile Bike Network

The Utah Department of Transportation announced a plan to build out a 3,100-mile bike trail network that would put a paved bike lane within one mile of 95 percent of the state’s residents, reports Graham Fee in Bike Mag.

According to the state, 500 miles of the paved network are already complete. “The plan includes a dedicated funding stream of up to $45 million per year pulled from six different tax sources — a sign the state is serious about giving bikes the same planning priority as cars.”

With the network complete, “Urban riders could pedal from Salt Lake City or Ogden to foothill trailheads with far less friction. Families could reach green-belt loops without worrying about road crossings. And visitors could land at the airport, hop on a bike, and ride straight into some of the most iconic mountain landscapes in the West.”

While obstacles remain, “for spots that are often bottlenecked by parking lots and non-driving access, a bike-first transportation grid feels like the beginning of a cultural shift and a solid move for a state that could benefit greatly from infrastructure like this.”