FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:
Jeff Miller, (207) 623-5411, (207) 512-0011 (cell), jeff@bikemaine.org
John Andrews, 207-282-1979, jandrews@gwi.net

Augusta, Maine - February 27, 2007 A new trail with footprints and trail signs will be unveiled at the Maine State House on Tuesday, February 27, 2007. The indoor trail will lead legislators and visitors to the Welcome Center for an 11:30 AM press conference in support of a $10 million Trails for a Healthy Maine Bond (L.D. 432) and call on the Governor to include it in his bond package.

"With current funding levels it will take 75 to 100 years to build the trails that have already been approved by the Maine Department of Conservation and MaineDOT," says John Andrews, President of the Eastern Trail Alliance. "Maine cannot wait that long -- it's time for a Trails for a Healthy Maine Bond so we can build these trails in our lifetime!"

Trail signs throughout the State House along the trail of footprints will provide key information on why trails are important to Maine, and why the Trails for a Healthy Maine Coalition is seeking legislative and public support to fund more shared-use trails throughout Maine.

"We know that promoting physical activity, addressing the obesity epidemic, creating quality places, and using clean and green transportation are all-important," explains Jeff Miller, Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. "The proposed Trails for a Healthy Maine Bond encompasses all of these priorities and will make Maine a better place for us all," adds Miller.

Trails for a Healthy Maine (THM) is a coalition of organizations, advocates, and community leaders who point out that shared-use trails contribute to the health, economic development, and quality of life in communities in every region in Maine. To date a full 200 organizations and businesses have endorsed the Trails for a Healthy Maine Bond proposed by Senator Dennis Damon (L.D. 432).

"More trails for Maine means more healthy options for us all," says Sally Jacobs, a trails advocate for the Downeast Sunrise Trail proposed to run from Ellsworth to Calais. "It also means healthier people, a healthier economy, more tourism, a healthier environment, more transportation choices, and a healthier and brighter future. With all these benefits, who wouldn't support trails?"

Healthy People: Physical inactivity is Maine's #2 health problem. Trails promote activity.
Healthy Economy: Trails create "Quality Places" and trail construction creates hundreds of jobs.
Healthy Tourism: Visitors come, stay longer, and spend more money to explore trails.
Healthy Environment: Trails are used for transportation and decrease air pollution.
Healthy Transportation: Trails connect communities, schools, shopping, and homes.
Healthy Future: Trails promote walking and biking to school. Healthy Kids = a Healthy Society.

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If you know of a trail waiting to be funded in your community, we invite you to forward this press release to your local media (paper, TV, radio etc.) and tell them how this bond could directly benefit your community and why they should cover this story. Also feel free to share antidotes with us as we prepare to testify for the bond in the weeks ahead.