C&O Canal Bike Patrol

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park uses volunteer bicyclists to assist visitors with information, first aid, and directions. Bike patrollers also educate the public on park regulations and assist in identifying towpath hazards.

Bike patrollers should be physically fit and have excellent communication skills.

The C&O Canal NHP Volunteer Bike Patrol was started in 1999. The idea for the bike patrol actually came from another national park with a canal, Cuyahoga Valley, which had great success utilizing a volunteer bike patrol.

The C&O Canal NHP Volunteer Bike Patrol started with a hearty group of 8 members, and has grown since then to over 150 members. The Bike Patrol consists of local volunteer groups in four districts: Georgetown, Great Falls, Williamsport, and Cumberland. Bike Patrol activities are coordinated by a Park Service Ranger at the local visitor center in each district.

Mission of the Bike Patrol

The Bike Patrol is composed of members of the community working with C&O Canal National Historical Park to provide a professional presence along the towpath and thus enhance visitors’ time spent in the park. Members patrol the canal on bicycles and offer information to visitors, answer questions, report hazards, and serve as resource protection stewards. Bike Patrol Volunteers are highly visible and are often visitors’ most easily-approached park representatives.