Leaders from Bike Friendly Kalamazoo presented the Village of Vicksburg with a 2026 Civic Leadership Award in recognition of the village’s support and work to make the area more bicycle friendly. One example: the village’s support and commitment to the trail which will connect Portage to the village.
The trail project, funded through grants and municipal funds, is expected to be complete in 2027. Much of the trail follows a former railbed and runs along the east side of Austin Lake. It offers views of wetlands and woods, and the route will allow safe, motorless travel between the city and the village.
Of area interest, the 2026 Tandem Bike Rally will be held September 4-7, Labor Day weekend, in the Kalamazoo, Portage, and Vicksburg areas. This is the 50th anniversary of the event and will attract hundreds of tandem cyclists from around the United States. During one of the routes, cyclists will travel across the bridge at Austin Lake, a newly completed portion of the trail. More information can be found at https://www.midwesttandemrally.org.
