Biking & walking trails
The Johnson City Urbanized Area currently has numerous pedestrian and bicycle transportation facilities in Johnson City, Elizabethton, and Jonesborough. These existing and proposed networks should be linked, if possible, to encourage their use by casual travelers, commuters, and for recreational purposes. An extensive bicycle and pedestrian network not only stimulates single-mode trips (walking or biking, alone) but also encourages the use of public transit.
Local Area Bike & Pedestrian Information
Pedestrian facilities in the Johnson City Urbanized Area include sidewalks, greenways, and trails. Sidewalks are common within the Cities of Johnson City, Elizabethton, and Jonesborough, but are fairly sparse in the unincorporated portions of the study area.
The Cities of Johnson City, Jonesborough, and Elizabethton are developing dedicated bicycle and multipurpose paths as part of corridor and greenway projects. In Johnson City, a 3-mile path parallels the North State of Franklin Road corridor (SR 381) between West Market Street and Greenline Road. Scenic views are abundant along this route. In Elizabethton is the Linear Trail, a 4-mile greenway corridor is under development that connects Sycamore Shoals State Park with the Historic Covered Bridge in the downtown area. The Town of Jonesborough has completed the Lost State Scenic Walkway, which spans approximately 3 miles of trail that begins in downtown Jonesborough at Mill Spring Park and ends at Golden Oak Park within the Meadows and Mill Creek subdivisions. Persimmon Ridge Park also has 3 miles of hiking trails through a natural wetlands area. Funding for major portions of these projects is from the STP Enhancements Program operated by the TDOT.
The latest project to be completed is the Tweetsie Trail, an 10-mile trek starting at Alabama Street in Johnson City and continuing to Hatcher Lane in Elizabethton. It was completed by the City of Johnson City Public Works Department and funded by donations from the community. Carter County is planning to extend the trail to Hampton. The City of Johnson City, as part of the Johnson City Comprehensive Plan, has a Transportation Element for implementing a Bikeway-Greenway Plan. To view this plan, go to the Johnson City Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.
Statewide Bike and Pedestrian Information
Tennessee Department of Transportation has also designated bike routes statewide, largely on existing roadways. Signs mark the routes in the field as in the example shown.
Several state highways have marked bike lanes (SR-354-Boones Creek Road) or off street facilities.