Las Vegas Trails System: Where Are They and What Are They?

The Las Vegas Trails system was originally designed in 1997 as part of the Las Vegas master plan for 2020. Many Las Vegas residents may not know where the new pedestrian and bicycle path bridges lead but it is actually a detailed master plan to connect all of Las Vegas to the Downtown Las Vegas hub. The City of Las Vegas Master Plan Transportation Trails Element details the routes of all the trails and the construction details involved in the long, drawn-out process.

The Las Vegas trails being built will eventually converge in Downtown Las Vegas and they will allow professional office workers in Las Vegas to ride their bikes to work on an uninterrupted trail. It will take the average rider 45 minutes to make the trek from Summerlin to the Downtown Las Vegas area and someone traveling from the North Las Vegas developments an average of an hour riding time.

There is also a trail being built on the east side of Las Vegas. Drive along Lamb Boulevard or Nellis Boulevard and there are new trail bridges spanning the streets just south of Sahara Avenue. Also the Lone Mountain Trail has just crossed Craig Road west of Losee Road and the Cannery Hotel and Casino.

The development of these trails has been years in the making. I have taken the time to ride some sections of the newer trails but they currently are not being used with their intended purpose as of yet. When discussing the trail with those riding or walking, many are not aware of the actual master plan of the city to connect all of the trails to the Downtown Las Vegas area.

Bobby Morris, an older gentlemen who walks the Bonanza Trail with his dog from Durango to Buffalo, was surprised when I informed him of the ultimate destination of the trail he was walking. Morris enjoys the solitude of walking on the trail, "I can take my dog for a walk and there is not much foot or bike traffic in this area. I had no idea this trail will end up in Downtown Las Vegas"

Will the trails have more traffic once the end result is accomplished? It will take promotion and incentives by the Regional Transportation Commission and the City of Las Vegas. Special promotions for anyone leaving their car at work and taking the time to ride to work or donations from local companies to donate bicycles for employees to ride to work.

The effort can start with the city and county employees in the Downtown Las Vegas area and it can expand to new companies taking up residence in Downtown Las Vegas. It may sound like a distant goal but the City of Las Vegas can eventually become a pedestrian town that relies less on motorized transportation in the near future.

Todd Jacobs is a long time Las Vegas resident with expertise in construction and the ins and outs of the city of Las Vegas.