Fifty years ago, thousands of people set out on the first organized bicycle ride across the country. At the time, only a few dozen multiuse trails existed, but that ride helped inspire a movement that would change how people experience America.

When Rails to Trails Conservancy was founded in 1986, the vision was to transform former railroad corridors into places where people could walk, bike and explore. Today, America's multiuse trails span more than 42,500 miles, connecting neighborhoods, parks and downtowns in communities across the country.

As we reflect on America's 250th anniversary, it's a reminder that trails have become part of the nation's story—connecting people to history, to the outdoors and to one another. What began as a simple idea continues to shape the way we move through our communities every day.