Friends Of The Rail & Trail

Worth a watch. A cyclist rolling right over railroad tracks on the Cherry Avenue bridge in Chicago. That rubber strip in the gap is called a flangeway filler, standard infrastructure where bikes and rail share a corridor. Small thing, but it's part of what makes trail-with-rail designs work.

"Traffic is a nightmare. Climate change is getting worse. And our county is segregated by that 20-mile parking lot we call Highway 1." That's how Wednesday's launch of our Summer of Action to Save the Tracks opened, and it set the tone for one of the best rallies we've had.

Ever wonder how a rail line is repaired and replaced? Take a quick look at the process in this condensed timelapse. Undercutting, tamping, welding, all the work that goes into smoother, faster tracks. #RailAndTrail

People shouldn't have to risk their lives on Highway 1 just to get to town. The North Coast Rail Trail will give farm workers and residents on the coast a safe, car-free way to get around. This trail segment is not yet open to the public. #RailAndTrail

A spectacular view from the North Coast Rail Trail. This trail segment is not yet open to the public, but we can't wait to ride with everybody this fall. #RailAndTrail

Never know what you'll see on the rail trail. Something for everybody out here. Friends of the Rail & Trail is led by local volunteers. Teachers, retirees, small business owners, young people who want Santa Cruz County to have awesome things.

A look at Wilder Ranch along the rail trail. A wonderful historic site. It's amazing being connected to our county like this. Get out there when it's not so hot and take a ride. #RailAndTrail

Some people ask why parts of the trail don't run right next to the tracks. Sometimes a different route is less expensive, more scenic, or easier to access. The trail doesn't have to follow the tracks exactly. It just has to connect. The goal is a continuous trail across the county.

Bikes packed at the farmers market. Metro rolling through. Not everyone needs to drive. They just need options. #RailAndTrail

Ride along the tracks and enjoy the wildflower sculptures. A safe, easy ride from the Westside to the beach. Piece by piece, it's getting built. #RailAndTrail

This is Lenox Street. Tracks down the middle, cars parked alongside, people biking through. It's called a streetcar track. Having rail, cars, cyclists, and pedestrians all share the same space is more common than you'd think. And it works. #RailAndTrail

Another trip on the trail. Where are you headed? #RailAndTrail

A place to walk that feels safe. Space to share with others. A route you can count on, day or night. That's what the trail means for the people who use it most. #RailAndTrail

Here is a look at construction on the North Coast Trail near Four Mile. Projects like this do not happen overnight, but every day of progress moves us closer to a safer, more connected county. #railandtrail

Over the next 30 years, it’s reasonable for about 20 percent of transportation funding to go toward Rail & Trail, while the majority continues to support road repair. More cars mean more wear on our roads.

At the Rail & Trail Festival, Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley reminded us that big projects come with big visions. Quoting transportation leader Rob Diridon, he spoke about how we can’t let large price tags scare us away — projects like rail aren’t built for the next five years,

Everyone out walking, biking, and rolling makes you realize how close we really are. The Rail & Trail connects more than places, it connects us. #RailAndTrail