Advocacy & Community Outreach
Cycling Infrastructure Workshops: ACA initially met with local business owners/government officials to review Complete Streets requirements and research funding sources. After walking around a city block, the group suggested practical road improvements. At a second meeting, the group identified two projects, later connected to become a single project, to send to A/GFTC for engineering development. This positioned Warren County to submit a proposal to the DoT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) to fund a large ($1M+) bike/ped infrastructure project. After Queensbury Supervisor Strough submitted a request, A/GFTC agreed to undertake an engineering review, positioning Warren County to request future TAP funds.
Economic Upside of Bicycling Infrastructure Forum: ACA organized a community forum to increase awareness of the positive impact of investing in developing a quality bike/ped infrastructure in our area. Three community leaders presented key facts and statistics to emphasize the economic, environmental, and health benefits of supporting a quality bike/ped infrastructure. Articles about the forum were published by the Post Star, emailed, and posted on social media platforms.
Participants: Warren Co. Dir of Tourism, Glens Falls Mayor, Queensbury Town Supervisor, A/GFTC Director, Warren Co. EDC President, NYBC Exec. Dir., Canal Alliance Exec. Dir., Architect/bike/ped planner, Traffic Calmer Owner, Saratoga Trail Alliance Director
Multi-use Trail Modernization and Connectivity Study: The Warren County Planning Department hosted several fact-gathering meetings to get input for writing a plan to improve rail and road connections. ACA members attended the meetings, responded to the survey, and submitted reports describing problem areas.
ACA Representation on Local/State Committees
A/GFTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee: ACA participates in the re-established A/GFTC Planning Advisory Committee to assist in planning bike/ped access to DOT roads.
New York Safe Streets Coalition: Purpose is education and advocacy for safe bicycling laws. ACA is a Steering Committee member and representative of our northern rural area.
Off-Road Trail Network Expansions & Maintenance
With the popularity of off-road biking, many heavily used trails have suffered major degradation. Trail repair is now essential to maintain a high quality, safe riding experience for cyclists. ACA advocates for, and fully supports, essential trail repair/maintenance. In 2024, ACA provided more than $22,000 for the expansion & maintenance of regional trail & path networks.
- Gurney Lane Trail System Phase I & II Maintenance: ACA provided funding for improvements to this popular, heavily traveled trail system.
- Brant Lake Trails: ACA funded construction of an expert level trail tread through difficult bedrock.
- Dynamite Hill: ACA funded a 7-mile perimeter trail loop for beginners/intermediate bikers.
- Lower Watershed Recreational Plan: ACA Board members, Glens Falls Water & Sewer Department representatives, and Steve Ovitt met to discuss the possible development of recreational trails on this property. ACA will provide funding for a study to have environmentally safe trails if the city chooses to develop trails there.
- Comprehensive Connector Bike/Ped Path: This long-term project will connect the Warren County Bikeway with the Empire State Trail. Queensbury is the lead agency working with Glens Falls. ACA fully supports this project with written letters of support and funding for signage.
Public Relations
ACA Website maintains an Events Calendar on its website promoting area cycling events. Road routes and trail networks are monitored regularly and updated with bike conditions. GPS route maps and cue sheets are directly downloadable from the ACA website.
Social media coverage: ACA worked with Warren County Workforce Development Office to hire an intern
for 6 months to rework ACA’s Facebook and Instagram sites. The intern will continue through May 2025 earning college credit from Siena College.
3rd Edition of the Ride-on Magazine: ACA purchased a full-page ad in this important cycling magazine.
Event Participation with ACA Kiosk: This year, Board members transported the Kiosk to the ACA Annual Meeting, Saratoga Springs Expo, ‘Take a Bite’ in downtown Glens Falls, Rapid River Fondo Ride, Harry Elkes Ride, Bicycling Infrastructure Forum, Bike Rodeo, and Environmental Day. Volunteers function as ambassadors for cycling, recommend cycling routes, provide informational brochures, maps, safety rules, and equipment.
Bicycle Safety Equipment
Bike Bells: ACA purchased and distributed bike bells at kiosk events to encourage bicyclists to ride safely.
Lloyd Mott Cycling Scholarship
The Lloyd Mott Scholarship was awarded this year to two students for their outstanding essays describing the importance of safe cycling. The purpose of the scholarship is to raise awareness of ACA and emphasize the need for providing a quality bicycling infrastructure for the safety of all community members. A total of $4,000 in scholarships were awarded in 2024. Jack Sweet, $2,500, and Sam Burns, $1,500.
11th Annual Harry Elkes Ride
ACA welcomed 127 cyclists in September. Starting from The Hub in Brant Lake, cyclists chose from 4 different skill-level rides. The Ride meets two ACA goals – to promote the health benefits and enjoyment of recreational cycling and to introduce cyclists to Warren County’s natural scenic roads and lakes.
SAVE THE DATE! 2025 Harry Elkes Ride, Saturday, (Tentative) September 27th – Make Plans & RIDE!
Fundraising
2024 Annual Campaign: Annually, ACA raises funds to cover trail/road project requests and events. Thanks to our generous supporters, ACA received $13,400 in donations in 2024.
Funding from Grants: For the past several years, ACA has been awarded Occupancy Tax funding from Warren County and Queensbury. Funds are used for various cycling projects to help support the bicycling community. ACA was awarded $20,000 from Warren County Occupancy Tax and $10,000 from the Town of Queensbury Occupancy Tax program.
