The villages and cities along the route enjoy

a thriving new industry — they seem to have turned

around the decline and you see community swimming vwsccmfinqs pools and campgrounds, new restaurants, and busi- ° nesses set up mainly for trail users (like the bike shop just off the track). In 1972, 35,000 ' ' cyclists and hikers were registered on the trail Blke Trad

and now the count is over 50,000 per year. Some come for a day ride, some travel slowly and stay in each town, but they all come for the trail, and from great distances.

The trail has become a haven for cyclists for a number of reasons. No traffic to worry about is a big plus, as are the low grade of the line (3% or less) and the scenery. Farmlands, wooded areas, streams, and everything from ducks to deer make it ideal for gawkers.

There is a charge for using the trail (75¢/day and $2.50/season for residents of the state and $1.00/day and $3.50/season for non-residents), and they make quite a profit selling T—shirts and souvenirs at the trail headquarters, naturally an old train station.

The trail is also heavily used in the winter

by both skiers and snowmobilers (I assume they de— State signate parts of the trail for each activity, to o - avoid flat skiers). This would help ease some of Blke Trad the conflicts that often occur between snowmobilers

and other groups by designating certain areas for i motorized use (much as they do at Brookvale). iBMEmun,

Although the scenery was beautiful, it was no more beautiful than many areas on P.E.I. And while we couldn't offer tunnels, the nearness of the ocean probably makes P.E.I. a more interest- ing area to visit. The multi—use concept attracts support in Wisconsin from many different groups, and the proven draw of tourism dollars makes the trail a big favourite with tourist operators. With that kind of support for those who want to enjoy outdoor activities without being too far from tourist facilities, and yet like to be away from traffic. It might be worth a try.

R’sl'cards prohsi' Le Preau

The People Against Lepreau 2 Campaign is encouraging people to send postcards to Prime Minister Mulroney, Finance Minister Michael Wilson and your Member of Parliament in an effort to stop the federal and provincial funding of the $2.5 billion nuclear reactor. The three postcards are printed on one sheet of paper and just need your name and address. You can mail them at no charge, and can get them through the newsletter or by calling me at 838-2678.

The campaign feels that since New Brunswick does not need the elect- ricity (it would be exported to the U.S., where due to public opposition over safety and cost, no new nuclear plants have been ordered in the last 10 years) it is an unnecessary risk. New Brunswick has the potential to meet its own future electrical energy needs through safe, low-cost renew- able energy sources.