West Michigan Trails gathered community leaders and stakeholders from its 18-county region, sharing updates on the area’s 910 miles of connected trails.
Executive Director John Morrison says as e-bike popularity grows, trail safety and speed etiquette are top priorities.
“What is allowed and what isn’t allowed? Another is speed limits. Users going way too fast, particularly around other trail users. So that's where the etiquette comes in, you know, having respect for the other trail users.
Leaders are working to standardize wayfinding signs across the trail system – similar to highway signs – making it easier for users to track distances and find nearby amenities.
Morrison notes the goal is a consistent experience across the West Michigan network.
“How we can work - all the communities, all the trail managers, all of those people- can work together and have consistency? So that when we are establishing etiquette signs or etiquette rules that they are consistent, and you don't have to change from one community to the next. Because how would you keep track of that?”
The summits are designed to strengthen regional partnerships and raise awareness of the value of coordinated trail systems.
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