RRSpin - Partnerships lead to Canal Trail bike loan program

Saturday, 16 April 2016 13:14

Partnerships lead to Canal Trail bike loan program

Written by Lance Martin

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Meacham cuts the paper chain.

Partners from across the Roanoke Valley joined today to unveil the Roanoke Canal Trail bike loaner program.

Bicycles will be stored at Riverside Mill in Weldon and the Roanoke Canal Museum in Roanoke Rapids.

A total of 20 bikes are available to use for touring the trail and are available for free by the user depositing their drivers license.

“As we stand here in 2016, we go back to 1843,” Weldon Mayor Julia Meacham said. “It is still a significant historic landmark and a way to remember the history in the area.”

Lori Medlin, president and CEO of the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau, which managed the project, pulled it together and is now promoting it, said a $75,000 grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust helped shape the project and the Canal Commission accepted the infusion of funds.

Funds from the foundation were not only used for improvements to the trail near the co-gen plant in Weldon and River Road in Roanoke Rapids, but for the bikes.

One of the people playing a role in making the project come together was Chris Wicker, Medlin said. “We hired Chris to make this happen.”

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It was a project, Medlin said, which included the town of Weldon and city of Roanoke Rapids as well as the Community Health Initiative. Both Vulcan Materials and Roanoke Valley Co-Gen assisted in the project, Vulcan donating 250 tons of rip-rap and the co-gen plant providing access areas for trail improvements.

Walmart provided helmets and pumps while Justin Fender found and re-geared 20 bikes for the program.

Jim Frazier, of the canal commission, also recognized Wicker's contribution to the project. “Chris deserves much of the credit for this entire effort coming together. He has worked endlessly on this commission in bringing us to where we are today. This effort is really a tribute to him. We celebrate a milestone that would not have been possible without you, our partners.”

Frazier also recognized Rightmyer Machine Rentals for its work on the project and paid special thanks to Kate B. Reynolds.

Will Mahone, of Halifax Regional, said, “The partnership is how we got this done. Individuals have to be encouraged to change their behavior. This gives people an invitation to exercise.”

John Carver, manager of Riverside Mill, said, “We can't tell you how thrilled we are to be involved in this project. It's going to benefit us.”

Carver said the bike program has been well received. People have rented the bikes for short excursions, “And we've had entire families ride the entire trail and return out of breath.”
Roanoke Rapids City Councilwoman Suetta Scarbrough said, “Roanoke Rapids is happy to be a partner. The canal trail is such a tremendous asset to Weldon and Roanoke Rapids. We are so appreciative of all that's been done to bring the bike trail up to par.”

Scarbrough noted on April 26 the city will hold a chain-cutting event at the museum. The event will also introduce new museum director Koy Worrell. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m.

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