Here where I live (Downeast Maine) the old railbed is in the process of being converted into a multi-use trail. The original proposal for the trail was for it to be open in summer for bicycle, walking/hiking, and ATV's and in the winter for cross country skiing, snowshoes, and snowmobile.
I am curious if anyone has had experience in their areas with shared use trails and/or rails to trails conversions and how it has worked out. A few of the several articles in local papers referenced shared use trails in other states such as PA and NY some of which worked out well and some that did not and were eventually closed for ATV use.

The project is well underway with nearly half of the ~ 90 miles of tracks removed and now the final surfaces have started being placed in someplaces. As the time approaches for sections to begin opening for summer use debate has again started up about allowing ATV's to use the trail. There was plenty of debate over it from the start as well as a very heated debate about converting the rails into a trail at all. There is a renewed effort by some to not allow ATV's to use the trail with a variety of reasons from damage to the trail, danger to walkers/bikers, and as one very vocal advocate was quoted "packs of ATV's roaring through our towns".

This past winter a section of the trail was opened and by all accounts the shared use worked out well. It was a big success and brought in quite a bit of money to local business from snowmobilers using the trail. The people in charge of the trail, the state DOT, DOC and Parks and Lands are still very much hoping and planning on allowing ATV use because they know that ATV clubs/riders will bring in the bulk of the projected moneys to local business and dropping them from the plan will result in the loss of a lot of the support for the trail which as I said has been verty controversial right from the start.

With any luck in a month or so the first section will open to ATV use. I've got my fingers crossed and hoping that the tree huggers and the few disrespectful riders will not ruin this great opportunity.

*Sunrise Trail website* www.sunrisetrail.org

 

we got a bunch like that in Wi and i really dont care for them, there flat and boring, but its a place to get out and ride during the winter I got a trail like that by me thats about 20 miles that i will get on and ride a few times in the winter to just get out and ride, even though theres not much to see.

theres one in N Wi that atleast has great scenery.

 

While they will certainly be straight and flat I dont think they will be boring atleast not for our area. Some sections of the 90 miles go through backcountry area miles from the nearest homes with some great scenery. Though I supposed compared to some other trails (not around here though) one might find them a bit boring. The best part about it though I think is the connections it will make with all of the other trails so you can make nice day loops. Also the ability to access restaraunts, gas, supplies in the towns that the railbed goes through. Of course this is all assuming that they open for ATV's.