MANITOWISH WATERS - The Manitowish Waters Bike Trail Committee will start construction of a new trail to help protect their cyclists and possibly boost tourism.

"The main thrust of this bike trail is safety," says Henry Bauers, spokesman for the biking committee.

Too many bikers sharing county highways could spell disaster according to Mary Beth Leopold with the town's chamber. "We know it was just a matter of time and it was something that we were seeing on a regular basis, the near misses. So we wanted to get this done before that happened."

Get it done they have. In just a year the Manitowish Waters Bike Trail Committee has raised nearly two thousands dollars through donations. Twenty thousand short of the hefty price tag on a new bike trail extension. "This is the first phase," says Bauer, "It's going from the Discovery Center, Rest Lake Park, to Red Feather Road."

Nearly two miles will be added to the existing 2.5 miles of black top bike trails in Manitowish Waters. Not only will this addition improve safety, but Leopold has high hopes for an increase in tourism. "We're hoping that this is going to bring, honestly, more people to the area they'll have more miles of bike trails to go biking. It has become such a growing sport in all of Wisconsin."

Future phases of the project will lead to trails connecting with the Boulder Junction and Sayner trail systems according to Bauers. "It's all about the kids. To get kids and adults off of the county highways and get them on to a safe alternative, a bike trail along those roads."

All donations are tax deductible and can be sent to:
Citizens Bank
Manitowish Waters Bike Trail Inc.
P.O. Box 326
Manitowish Waters, WI 54545

Story By: Ryan Michaels