VDOT Releases Statewide Plan to Expand Multiuse Trails Across Virginia

The Virginia Department of Transportation has released a new statewide plan aimed at helping communities build a more connected network of multiuse trails across the Commonwealth.

The Statewide Multiuse Trails Plan, released May 1, provides a framework for local governments, regional groups, and transportation partners as they work to expand trail access for residents and visitors. The release comes during Bike Month, observed each May to encourage more people to try bicycling and to highlight the health, environmental, and financial benefits of riding a bike.

VDOT created the State Trails Office in 2023 at the direction of the General Assembly. The office compiled the new plan as a resource for communities looking to identify trail priorities and connect local projects to broader regional and statewide systems.

“The Statewide Multiuse Trails Plan better equips agencies and partners to create a safe, accessible, and regionally connected network of trails,” said VDOT Chief of Policy Angel Deem. “The actions laid out in the plan support the commonwealth’s vision of a multimodal trail system that enhances connectivity, promotes equitable access, and improves quality of life for all Virginians.”

Multiuse trails are designed for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other nonmotorized users. Because they are separated from vehicle traffic, they can reduce conflict points and improve safety for people walking, biking, or using other active transportation. VDOT says these trails also serve a larger purpose by helping connect people to the places they live, work, and play.

Across Virginia, trails already play an important role in recreation, tourism, and daily transportation. The Commonwealth is home to several nationally recognized multi-use trails and has the longest section of the Appalachian Trail of any state. Virginia also includes more than 825 miles of U.S. Bicycle Routes used by cyclists.

The new plan documents more than 1,500 miles of existing multiuse trails across Virginia, along with more than 2,900 planned miles. Those planned projects could greatly increase access in the years ahead.

Currently, about 36% of Virginians live within a half-mile of an existing multi-use trail. If the planned trail inventory is built, that number could rise to 50%. That would mean about 4.3 million Virginians living within walking distance of a multi-use trail.

For local communities, the plan is meant to serve as both a guide and a tool. It identifies opportunities to improve connections between existing trails, close gaps in regional networks, and support projects that offer transportation, recreation, and economic benefits.

VDOT says expanding trails can also improve public health by giving people safer places to walk, run, and bike. Trails can support local businesses by drawing visitors to downtowns, parks, and tourist destinations. They can also give residents more transportation choices, especially for shorter trips.

With the plan now released, VDOT’s State Trails Office will continue working with local and regional partners as they plan new projects and seek to connect trail systems. That support includes an online Resource Hub, a centralized source for trail-related information. The hub includes an inventory of existing and planned multi-use trails throughout the state.

The release of the plan marks a step toward a broader vision for Virginia: a connected trail network that reaches more communities and gives more people safe access to outdoor transportation and recreation.

As Bike Month continues, VDOT officials say the plan highlights how trails can serve people of all ages and abilities while strengthening communities across the Commonwealth.