Alternative transportation, from bicycles and hiking to trails, will be the topic of two conferences to be held in the Lake Tahoe area May 15-18.
NEVADA BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN CONFERENCE
The Nevada Bicycle and Pedestrian Conference will be held Thursday, May 15 and Friday, May 16. Developed to augment statewide bicycle and pedestrian resources, the conference will provide the latest information on the economic benefits of building pedestrian and bicycle facilities and hosting events, and highlight bicycle and pedestrian advocacy and education.
The conference’s theme of economic development will detail how communities and organizations can recognize economic benefits from bicycle events and facilities. Keynote speaker Thomas Warden, Vice President of Community and Government Relations for the Howard Hughes Corporation, will speak to the company’s use of bicycle facilities while developing Las Vegas’ Summerlin Ranch master-planned community.
“In its seventh year, this conference is truly the state’s foremost event for bike and walking enthusiasts, advocates, engineers, administrators, educators and consultants,” NDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Program Manager Eric Glick explained. “It’s a chance to come together and realize different approaches to improve the needs of the bicycling and walking public.”
The conference will be held at MontBleu Casino, in Stateline, Lake Tahoe, with agenda and registration available at www.bicyclenevada.com or by calling (775) 888-7433. The conference is co-sponsored by the Nevada Department of Public Safety and the Nevada Bicycle Advisory Board.
TRAILS WORKSHOP
The third-annual Trail Building and Crew Leader Training, held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 16-18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., provides the knowledge to help build and maintain Tahoe-area pedestrian and motorized trails.
Teaching how to design, construct and maintain trails, the workshop brings together such agencies as the U.S. Forest Service, Nevada State Parks, California State Parks, Washoe County Parks, Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Sierra Front Recreation Coalition, Carson Valley Trails Association, Pacific Crest Trail Association, Truckee Meadows Trails Foundation, Truckee Trails Foundation and Truckee Donner Land Trust to provide training and information on building and maintaining Lake Tahoe-area trails.
The trail workshop’s $65 registration fee includes instruction, park lodging, food, training materials and transportation to class sites. The workshop will be held at Galena Creek Park, and is sponsored by the Tahoe Rim Trail Association.
“This is the first time that the two conferences have merged to allow people with trails interest and bicycle and pedestrian interest to take advantage of two different trainings,” Tahoe Rim Trail Association Executive Director Mark Kimbrough said.
A major organizer of the event, the Nevada Department of Transportation’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program provides well-maintained transportation facilities that conveniently and efficiently accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists and provide Nevada residents and visitors the choice of pedestrian or bicycle travel. Another major event organizer, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association maintains and enhances the Tahoe Rim Trail system and encourages stewardship through volunteer programs, educational outreach and community partnerships. |
