Photo courtesy of Galena Country Tourism #GalenaCountry

Just three hours west of Chicago lies Galena, Illinois, a charming town long celebrated for its ties to President Ulysses S. Grant and its picturesque, walkable downtown. For decades, it’s been a favorite destination among history buffs and weekend wanderers, welcoming more than 1.5 million visitors each year. But lately, a new kind of visitor is arriving — bicyclists, drawn by scenic routes, rolling hills, and a growing network of bike infrastructure that is transforming how people experience the region.

That momentum is proven in the data. PeopleForBikes’ City Ratings program gave Galena a score of 55 for 2025, crossing the critical infrastructure “tipping point” of 50. According to PeopleForBikes, communities that pass this threshold score have the proper safe and connected infrastructure in place to support real, lasting growth in bicycling. In other words, Galena is no longer just welcoming bicyclists, it is actively supporting them.

However, reaching that tipping point is a recent development for Galena. Just five years ago, in 2020, the city’s score was only 25. So what changed? And more importantly, how can other communities learn from Galena’s progress to help their own cities cross the critical 50-point threshold?

What Changed?

PeopleForBikes’ City Ratings evaluates how well a city’s network of bicycle infrastructure (protected bike lanes, multi-use paths, and low-stress neighborhood streets) connects people to the places they want to go. In recent years, Galena has made a visible commitment to critical connections — the kinds of bike infrastructure that prioritize vulnerable road users and make everyday riding a practical choice for more people.

Here are the key investments driving Galena’s transformation:

Galena River Trail

Starting at Recreation Park, this 8-mile crushed limestone trail is ideal for hiking, biking, and even cross-country skiing come winter time. What makes it stand out, especially in a town of just 3,500 residents, are two premium bicycling amenities at either end:

Farside Downhill Trails at Chestnut Mountain — The only lift-access mountain bike park in Illinois, and a rare amenity for a small Midwestern town.

Luke Krolikowski, director of snowsports/mountain bikes at Chestnut Mountain. Photo courtesy of Ryan Birkicht

Galena Bike/Skate Park — A progressive space for youth and adults to build and advance their biking skills.

Local youth enjoy Galena's BMX park. Photo courtesy of Ryan Birkicht

The trail also connects directly to quiet country roads throughout Jo Daviess County, serving as a gateway to the region’s growing gravel riding scene. These gravel roads are among the best in the country, thanks to the county’s location in the Driftless Region, known for its rugged hills and scenic terrain. 

In fact, Chicago-based components manufacturer SRAM has used the region to test and demonstrate products for bicycle industry journalists from around the world.

“The Driftless Region offers a rare blend of rolling hills, scenic river valleys, and quiet, well-maintained roads that make every ride feel like a true getaway. Galena, in particular, captures the essence of gravel — where adventure meets tranquility. It’s not just about putting our components to the test; it’s about immersing ourselves in the ride, the landscape, and the story they tell together.” - Michael Zellmann, global road and corporate communication manager, SRAM

Spring Street Trail

One of Galena’s most impactful recent developments is a 1.5-mile multi-use path that connects its historic downtown with essential destinations, including:

• Grocery stores
• Schools
• Medical offices
• Restaurants
• Lodging and shopping centers

This connector enables residents and visitors alike to ditch their cars and explore Galena by bike. The Spring Street Trail was a high-impact project that directly contributed to the city’s leap in City Ratings.

Sharrows, Signage, and Bike Racks

Galena also capitalized on a donation from local cycling club The Galena GOATS to fund a series of low-cost, but high-visibility, bike infrastructure upgrades. These included:

• Painted sharrows along key biking corridors
• Bicycle right-of-way signs on popular routes
• New bike racks offering front-row parking for two-wheeled visitors

While these small investments don’t show up in the City Ratings score, they do cement a town as a place where people want to ride and should be considered as a stepping stone to larger infrastructure projects.

Galena GOATS members Trisha Wollam, Susan Barg and Karla Nicholas standing by a sharrow indicator off Galena's Main Street. Photo courtesy of Ryan Birkicht

How to Replicate Galena’s Success

Galena didn’t just get lucky, it got organized. Residents, planners, and local advocates worked together to build momentum, layer small wins into larger successes, and invest in the infrastructure that makes biking part of daily life. If you want to bring that kind of transformation to your community, here’s where to start:

1. Start With the Plan

Every city has a long-term roadmap. It’s often called a comprehensive plan, and it may include sub-plans for active transportation or bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

• Request a copy from your local planning department or city website.
• Look for existing bike infrastructure goals and ask about timelines.
• Find out how future projects get added to the plan, then work that process to propose new connections.

2. Normalize Bikes in Everyday Culture

Infrastructure matters but so does visibility. One of Galena’s smart strategies was to embed biking into the town’s identity.

• Ask schools to feature biking in newsletters, marquee signs, or back-to-school communications.
• Encourage tourism boards to include bikes in travel guides and on event calendars.
• Support or start community rides, bike-to-school days, or learn-to-ride programs to create energy and awareness.

3. Build Coalitions That Influence Change

You don’t need a massive movement to make progress. What you need is a small, committed group that speaks with purpose.

“City council members face criticism constantly, so when residents bring forward thoughtful projects that propose solutions for the city, those requests tend to have a great influence on elected officials.” — Mark Moran, former Galena city administrator

• Form a neighborhood coalition focused on safe streets and active transportation.
• Attend city council meetings with a few members of your group and designate one person to speak on behalf of the coalition. Present solutions, stay positive, and avoid confrontation.
• Read past meeting minutes to identify other residents with similar goals. Look for adjacent coalitions—those working on health, equity, youth development, or environmental sustainability—and find ways to collaborate.
• Support and elect leaders who bike or who understand the role of safe, connected infrastructure in a thriving community. Use the election process to ask candidates where they stand on bicycling and active transportation.

4. Engage Your Local Tourism Office

Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) are always looking for high-quality content and partnerships. Cycling can help them attract new visitors and boost local business.

“Spoon-feed the tourism office. Destination Marketing Organizations are experts at leveraging engaging content. Bicycling routes, maps, events, pictures—those are pieces of gold for the marketing engine that the DMO has developed.” — Terry Mattson, CEO + President, Galena Country Tourism

• Set up a meeting with your DMO. Bring routes, maps, event ideas, and compelling images to share.
• Make it easy for them to tell your story. Whether it’s a new trail, a family ride, or a cycling festival, offer your expertise and serve as a subject matter expert they can rely on.
• Frame it as a win-win. Most DMOs are eager for content that supports local business and helps the region stand out.

Galena’s Road Ahead

Galena may have reached a City Ratings tipping point, but its work is far from finished. The community continues to push forward, investing in the kinds of infrastructure and experiences that will not only raise its score — but also raise the quality of life for everyone who lives in or visits the region.

Investing in the Next Generation

A new multi-use path has been proposed in front of Galena’s newly built high school, middle school, and elementary buildings. Once completed, this path will make it significantly easier for students to walk or bike to school. It’s a smart investment that combines transportation, health, and quality of life outcomes, while reinforcing Galena’s commitment to building safe, age-inclusive infrastructure.

Pedaling Tourism Forward

Gravel cycling is quickly becoming one of Galena’s signature draws. And as a growing category for the bike industry, Galena has an opportunity to lean into its natural appeal being located in the Driftless Region. The area has already earned a reputation as one of the most compelling gravel destinations in the world.

One example, cycling apparel and lifestyle brand Rapha championed a regional ride called the Ten Thousand. The grueling 100+ mile gravel ride with 10,000 feet of elevation gain winds through the rugged hills of Jo Daviess County, with Galena serving as the cultural and logistical hub for the event. While Rapha has since passed the torch to local organizers like James Hillis, founder of Driftless Cycling Tours, the ride still draws national attention and reinforces Galena’s growing profile in the gravel scene.

“Galena makes an ideal base for participants of the Ten Thousand, offering riders a bikeable town where they can easily access lodging, cafés, shops, and more. It’s the kind of connected community we’re proud to support.” — Matt Duer, wholesale manager, Rapha North America

James Hillis, founder of Driftless Cycling Tours. Photo courtesy of Ryan Birkicht

With more gravel events, guided tours, and visiting riders each year, gravel cycling will continue to generate real economic opportunity. Tourism will continue to grow as will local support for expanding bike infrastructure that benefits everyone, from visiting cyclists to longtime residents.

Connecting the Network

With major trail investments in place, Galena is now focused on stitching together the smaller connections that will elevate its bike network from good to great. These missing links may seem minor on paper, but they can have a big impact in making it easier for residents and visitors to confidently choose biking for everyday trips.

Projects under consideration include:

• Short connector paths to make the Spring Street Trail a fully protected, continuous route.
• Improved signage and wayfinding to help riders navigate the network with ease.
• Intersection upgrades where multi-use trails cross busy roads.
• Additional bike racks near shopping, dining, and lodging destinations.

Together, these strategic investments will close key gaps in Galena’s network — supporting a higher City Ratings score and making biking the most convenient, enjoyable, and accessible way to move around town.