Healthy Adams Bicycle/Pedestrian Inc. (HABPI) Vice President Eric Meyer presented a report to the Adams County Council of Governments last week on what the future might hold for residents who like to cycle, walk, or hike.
Formed in 2005, HABPI believes that the development of land today will affect tomorrow. “Part of the key is to consider ordinances that will help ensure walking and biking infrastructure is included in new developments,” said Meyer.

“We don’t have a great deal of bike and pedestrian activity right now.” he added, commenting about the lack of such amenities in Adams County. “It’s a very slow process—decades to develop–but if we start today with new developments, we’ll see them take shape for future generations.”
Meyers said more bicycle trails may help attract new home buyers as well because a recent real estate study has shown that green space and trail systems are the two most desired amenities in new developments. Meyer included several examples of such ordinances in the presentation and said members of HABPI would be glad to assist if asked.
Some of the projects that the organization is looking to improve in the future include the Inner Loop Trail that will eventually encircle the borough. Construction of the Phase B portion at Washington and Racehorse Alley is expected to begin this year.
Other projects currently being considered are:
- A walking/Biking path that would connect with the North Gettysburg Trail to extend it along Boyds School Road to Biglerville Rd.
- Off-road trails that run along unused portions of railroad bed between Littlestown and Taneytown, a two-mile trail that would connect with a four-mile trail in Maryland.
- Joining existing trails in the 250-mile Grand History Trail, connecting key historical sites in PA, MD, and DC, by looking for options for filling the gaps from Hanover to Gettysburg and on to Emmitsburg.
- Assistance on finding road sites in Adams County to link with the 911 Memorial Trail.
- Working with Gettysburg National Military Park as it renews its trail-planning efforts.
On a local level, HAPBI has helped install new bike racks and a bike repair station in Gettysburg, organized the kid’s rides during the Heritage Festival and will host the annual fund-raiser bike ride that will take place this year on Sep. 21.
In other ACCOG business, The Adams County Transportation Planning Organization (ACTPO) in partnership with PennDOT is conducting a study of the Route 94 corridor in the Cross Keys area to establish a framework for establishing safety and mobility along the corridor. Area residents and travelers are invited to take an online survey to describe their experiences traveling through the study area or identify areas of concern through an interactive map. The survey will be active through May 13. https://arcg.is/1Lmvjj.
The study is in response to concerns regarding safety and potential impacts of future development. The final study report is planned for completion by June 2024. More project information can be found at https://www.adamscounty.gov/Rt94.
The Adams County Chiefs of Police Association will host the Adams County Fallen Officers Memorial Service on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. The service will take place at the Adams County 911 Center, located at 230 Greenamyer Lane, Gettysburg. A roll call of the seven fall officers of Adams Country and the 2023 fallen officers of Pennsylvania will be read in their honor.
Featured image caption: New construction along the Gettysburg Inner Loop is scheuled to begin this year.
Judith Cameron Seniura is a freelance reporter. She began her journalism career in the early ‘70s and has written for newspapers, magazines, and other media in Ontario, Canada, Alaska, Michigan, Nebraska, San Antonio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.