Terry Coddington moved to Conway from Florida in 2011. In 2019, Coddington shifted his professional focus to cycling and his passion of getting more people on bikes. 

Coddington currently serves as the City of Conway Bike and Pedestrian Coordinator, where he has advocated for safer cycling infrastructure and trail development and connectivity, which enhance Conway’s alternative transportation as well as recreational opportunities. 

He is also the director of a youth development nonprofit, the Arkansas Interscholastic Cycling League, and the owner of Arkansas Race Solutions.

What are some of the things you’re most looking forward to in 2026 for the central Arkansas cycling community?

For 2026, I am most excited to see the City of Conway starting to break ground near the end of the year on the Connect Conway projects, which will add a significant amount of greenway and protected bike paths. Soft surface trails are near and dear to my heart. 

They are also a big focus in connecting parts of our town together and getting more people outside, off their phones, and active. I am also looking forward to seeing two more amazing Arkansas NICA events held right here in Conway this fall.

During your time in Conway, what are some of the meaningful changes within the bicycle community you have witnessed or been a part of?

Conway has grown and changed a lot since I first moved here. Protected lanes and other infrastructure were not normal occurrences. With the city’s Complete Streets Ordinance, the improvements on Kinley Trail, a new trail in Stone Dam Creek, new mountain bike trails and pump tracks in the heart of our city, more people than ever are outside and enjoying the trails. 

In 2011, I knew every single person who rode a bike here; now there are so many vehicles with bikes on them or bike racks, I have no idea who they are. But to me, that’s a sign of positive growth.

What excites you about the future of bikes and bike culture in the Conway area? What opportunities exist here?

I think over the last few years we have created enough interest that now, for the first time ever, businesses are choosing to be near the greenway, or even downtown, because they are recognizing the experience people want to have. 

Conway has a great cycling community here, a city that is supportive with planning and design, parks, and recreation departments that understand the impact local trails have. Once more, businesses learn how to interact with trails and greenway users, I think you will see even more of that.

Describe the impact a bike ecosystem or culture has on the community. Why should it be a priority?

People want to live where it’s fun to recreate and have a quality in place. Think of your favorite places you have ever been. Would you go back and why? It’s probably because of the recreation opportunities. When you can commute to work and feel safe, take your family to a restaurant while on a bike ride. Those are all special things. There are so many benefits to the users, mentally, physically, as well as to the community that benefits. 

As more of these opportunities are created, more people will choose Conway to live and raise their families. Businesses no longer build in a location just for tax breaks; they want to be where the local talent lives so they can be successful. 

Things that make people want to live and recreate are just the top of the iceberg. It also creates somewhat of an inertia wheel where new projects and businesses come, more taxes are paid, and we continue to invest in our city’s infrastructure.