Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
7 Bike Trail Benefits
Over the last few decades, the benefits of bike trails have become more obvious. Besides being pleasant places to go bicycling, studies are showing that bike trails and other greenways improve air quality, health, reduce crime, mitigate summer heat, improve property values, spur tourism revenue, prompt economic growth, increase worker productivity and job satisfaction. In fact, the greenery of a trail can even boost community pride & appeal.
- Landscaped bike paths improve air quality.
Plants are the ultimate means of filtering smoke, dust and other pollutants from the air. Just one tree can remove 26 pounds per year of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, offsetting 11,000 miles of car emissions. In one study showed, an acre of trees removed 13 tons per year of particles and gases.
- Bike trails promote health.
People are more likely to exercise regularly when a fitness facility like a bike trail is nearby. According to a National Park Service study, claims against medical insurance by people who exercise regularly are 14 percent lower than those that do not exercise. Hospital stays of people that are not fit are also 30% longer.
- Trails reduce crime.
University of Illinois researchers found that inner city areas with flowers, low growing shrubs and widely spaced, high canopy trees have half the crime of similar areas devoid of greenery. Their research showed that landscaping/greenery drew people outdoors and improved self esteem while also reducing fatigue, irritability, aggression and impulsive behavior like vandalism. Since trails also bring residents outdoors, criminal behavior is even harder to conceal.
- Bike Trails mitigate/lower summer heat.
According to the EPA, urban forests (such as bike trails landscaped with trees and shrubs) significantly reduce urban air temperatures through evaporative cooling (greenery exhales water vapor) and by shading buildings, concrete and other heat absorbing materials.
- Cycleways improve property values.
According to studies conducted in Boulder, Colorado, the average value of property adjacent to the greenbelt would be 32% higher than those 3,200 feet away. Psychologist Rachel Kaplan found landscaped places for walking and biking to be among the most important factors considered when individuals chose a place to live.
- Multi use trails spur tourism revenue.
Trails are an attraction for tourism and recreation. The Great Allegheny Passage Rail-Trail attracts 500,000 tourists annually, generating $15 million in direct benefits per year to adjacent communities. A National Park Service study estimated the average economic activity associated with three multi-purpose trails in Florida, California and Iowa at $1.5 million per year.
- Bikeways prompt economic growth, improve job satisfaction & worker productivity.
A long corridor of greenery such as a bike trail can benefit hundreds of businesses along its path. Besides making business steadier for cafes, stores & bike shops situated nearby, trails attract businesses and jobs. Studies have shown that workers feel better about their work and are more productive, healthier and more relaxed when they can see greenery outside or can use a trail on their lunch break or before/after work.
- Trails boost community pride and appeal.
Corridors of greenspace (such as tree lined bike trails, streets and parks) are second only to education in the perceived value of municipal services. Greenery also improves the perception of an area and has been effective at drawing customers & residents back to living and doing business nearby.
For more information on this topic, see "The Value of Landscaping", "Green Streets, Not Mean Streets", "The Role of Horticulture in Human Well-Being and Social Development" and "The Economic and Social Benefits of Off-Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities."
- Landscaped bike paths improve air quality.
Plants are the ultimate means of filtering smoke, dust and other pollutants from the air. Just one tree can remove 26 pounds per year of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, offsetting 11,000 miles of car emissions. In one study showed, an acre of trees removed 13 tons per year of particles and gases.
- Bike trails promote health.
People are more likely to exercise regularly when a fitness facility like a bike trail is nearby. According to a National Park Service study, claims against medical insurance by people who exercise regularly are 14 percent lower than those that do not exercise. Hospital stays of people that are not fit are also 30% longer.
- Trails reduce crime.
University of Illinois researchers found that inner city areas with flowers, low growing shrubs and widely spaced, high canopy trees have half the crime of similar areas devoid of greenery. Their research showed that landscaping/greenery drew people outdoors and improved self esteem while also reducing fatigue, irritability, aggression and impulsive behavior like vandalism. Since trails also bring residents outdoors, criminal behavior is even harder to conceal.
- Bike Trails mitigate/lower summer heat.
According to the EPA, urban forests (such as bike trails landscaped with trees and shrubs) significantly reduce urban air temperatures through evaporative cooling (greenery exhales water vapor) and by shading buildings, concrete and other heat absorbing materials.
- Cycleways improve property values.
According to studies conducted in Boulder, Colorado, the average value of property adjacent to the greenbelt would be 32% higher than those 3,200 feet away. Psychologist Rachel Kaplan found landscaped places for walking and biking to be among the most important factors considered when individuals chose a place to live.
- Multi use trails spur tourism revenue.
Trails are an attraction for tourism and recreation. The Great Allegheny Passage Rail-Trail attracts 500,000 tourists annually, generating $15 million in direct benefits per year to adjacent communities. A National Park Service study estimated the average economic activity associated with three multi-purpose trails in Florida, California and Iowa at $1.5 million per year.
- Bikeways prompt economic growth, improve job satisfaction & worker productivity.
A long corridor of greenery such as a bike trail can benefit hundreds of businesses along its path. Besides making business steadier for cafes, stores & bike shops situated nearby, trails attract businesses and jobs. Studies have shown that workers feel better about their work and are more productive, healthier and more relaxed when they can see greenery outside or can use a trail on their lunch break or before/after work.
- Trails boost community pride and appeal.
Corridors of greenspace (such as tree lined bike trails, streets and parks) are second only to education in the perceived value of municipal services. Greenery also improves the perception of an area and has been effective at drawing customers & residents back to living and doing business nearby.
For more information on this topic, see "The Value of Landscaping", "Green Streets, Not Mean Streets", "The Role of Horticulture in Human Well-Being and Social Development" and "The Economic and Social Benefits of Off-Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities."
Monday, February 26, 2007
Katy Trail Expansion - Mo' Details
Last week, I reported on a just announced expansion of the Katy Trail in Missouri. Today, I received more details on the project courtesy of Kerri Yap at the Missouri Department of Transportation (Mo DOT)...
"Larry,
Great Rivers Greenway suggested that I contact the Dept. of Natural Resources to get more information on this project... The extension (from St. Charles) to Machens is actually about 12.6 miles. The distance to the West Alton Trail is approximately (an additional) 7 miles. However, this measurement was taken on the road. It is not a straight-line distance nor does it follow any potential alignment. Currently it is the desire of DNR to connect Katy Trail to the West Alton Trail, however there is nothing planned. As far as a construction schedule goes, DNR hopes for construction to begin late Fall of this year. However, the start date depends on permitting and other variables, so it is very possible for the start date to be a bit later. Given the Fall start, they hope to have the entire stretch to Machens open next summer (2008).
Routes for bicyclists between Machens and the West Alton trail are really a matter of preference. Bicyclists are allowed on MO 94, however this might not be comfortable for everyone due to vehicle speeds and constrained shoulders. The majority of the roads in that area are county roads so you might check with them."
Trails like the Katy are magnets for vacationing families looking for a safe yet soft adventure. Hopefully, the powers that be at MoDOT, GRG, DNR, etc. will recognize that more families are turning to bicycle tourism and will close that 7 mile gap sooner rather than later.
Thanks to Kerri for providing these helpful details. :-)
Trails like the Katy are magnets for vacationing families looking for a safe yet soft adventure. Hopefully, the powers that be at MoDOT, GRG, DNR, etc. will recognize that more families are turning to bicycle tourism and will close that 7 mile gap sooner rather than later.
Without a doubt, the Katy is a success; however, until the Katy runs into Kansas City or St. Louis, the trail will never reach its full potential.
Ride safely.
Larry
By the way, I'm always looking for first hand reports about bicycling on long distance bike trails. If you rode a trail recently, write me about the experience using my email link at the bottom of this page. If I publish your info, I'll be glad to give you the credit.
"Larry,
Great Rivers Greenway suggested that I contact the Dept. of Natural Resources to get more information on this project... The extension (from St. Charles) to Machens is actually about 12.6 miles. The distance to the West Alton Trail is approximately (an additional) 7 miles. However, this measurement was taken on the road. It is not a straight-line distance nor does it follow any potential alignment. Currently it is the desire of DNR to connect Katy Trail to the West Alton Trail, however there is nothing planned. As far as a construction schedule goes, DNR hopes for construction to begin late Fall of this year. However, the start date depends on permitting and other variables, so it is very possible for the start date to be a bit later. Given the Fall start, they hope to have the entire stretch to Machens open next summer (2008).
Routes for bicyclists between Machens and the West Alton trail are really a matter of preference. Bicyclists are allowed on MO 94, however this might not be comfortable for everyone due to vehicle speeds and constrained shoulders. The majority of the roads in that area are county roads so you might check with them."
Trails like the Katy are magnets for vacationing families looking for a safe yet soft adventure. Hopefully, the powers that be at MoDOT, GRG, DNR, etc. will recognize that more families are turning to bicycle tourism and will close that 7 mile gap sooner rather than later.
Thanks to Kerri for providing these helpful details. :-)
Trails like the Katy are magnets for vacationing families looking for a safe yet soft adventure. Hopefully, the powers that be at MoDOT, GRG, DNR, etc. will recognize that more families are turning to bicycle tourism and will close that 7 mile gap sooner rather than later.
Without a doubt, the Katy is a success; however, until the Katy runs into Kansas City or St. Louis, the trail will never reach its full potential.
Ride safely.
Larry
By the way, I'm always looking for first hand reports about bicycling on long distance bike trails. If you rode a trail recently, write me about the experience using my email link at the bottom of this page. If I publish your info, I'll be glad to give you the credit.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Little Town Building $700k Bike Trail
The little town of Sheffield, Alabama is building a 3 mile bike trail to attract tourism to it's historic district and to provide a new recreation space for the community. The paved trail will cost @ $700,000; the town is paying $140k and the balance is coming from a transportation enhancement grant.
The reason I bring up this trail is the novel approach that the people of Sheffield are taking to meld the trail into their mature urban landscape. The trail will be routed over a conglomeration of renewed sidewalks and fresh trail but it will also carve 8' at times from existing streets. Though the town recognizes that it will loose some downtown parking spaces in the process, folks there are confident that the benefits will outweigh any negatives.
Read the complete news story about this bike trail project:
http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070225/NEWS/702250350/1011
Respectfully,
Larry Lagarde
RideTHISbike.com
Urging bicycling for recreation, commuting, health and a better future.
The reason I bring up this trail is the novel approach that the people of Sheffield are taking to meld the trail into their mature urban landscape. The trail will be routed over a conglomeration of renewed sidewalks and fresh trail but it will also carve 8' at times from existing streets. Though the town recognizes that it will loose some downtown parking spaces in the process, folks there are confident that the benefits will outweigh any negatives.
Read the complete news story about this bike trail project:
http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070225/NEWS/702250350/1011
Respectfully,
Larry Lagarde
RideTHISbike.com
Urging bicycling for recreation, commuting, health and a better future.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Speak Now Or Loose Billions
by Larry Lagarde
Fed Slashes Fiscal '07 Allocations To State DOT's By @ $3.5 Billion
The Federal Highway Administration is about to order state Departments of Transportation (DOT's) to cut a total of $3.471 Billion from their highway program budgets. Each state will have 30 days to decide upon the specific cuts they'll make to comply.
When similar cuts occurred last year, funding losses to biking and walking programs were disproportionately high. To prevent these same programs from being slashed again, it's critical to contact your state DOT representatives NOW.
Following is a list of the bike/ped coordinators for each state. Please contact your state's coordinator, tell them you support biking & walking projects and ask them to keep bike/ped funding intact.
Fed Slashes Fiscal '07 Allocations To State DOT's By @ $3.5 Billion
The Federal Highway Administration is about to order state Departments of Transportation (DOT's) to cut a total of $3.471 Billion from their highway program budgets. Each state will have 30 days to decide upon the specific cuts they'll make to comply.
When similar cuts occurred last year, funding losses to biking and walking programs were disproportionately high. To prevent these same programs from being slashed again, it's critical to contact your state DOT representatives NOW.
Following is a list of the bike/ped coordinators for each state. Please contact your state's coordinator, tell them you support biking & walking projects and ask them to keep bike/ped funding intact.
ALABAMA
Web: www.dot.state.al.us/
Mary Lou Crenshaw
Bureau of Multimodal Transportation
Alabama Department of Transportation
1409 Coliseum Boulevard
Montgomery AL 36130-3050
(334) 353-6439; Fax (334) 353-6451
E-mail: crenshawm@dot.state.al.us
ALASKA
Web: www.dot.state.ak.us
Bob Laurie
Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator
Alaska DOT & PF
3132 Channel Drive Room 200
Juneau AK 99801-7898
907-465-6989; Fax 907-465-6984
E-mail: Bob_Laurie@dot.state.ak.us
ARIZONA
Web: www.azbikeped.org/
Michael N. Sanders
Senior Transportation Planner
Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator
Arizona Department of Transportation
206 South 17th Ave, Mail Drop 310B
Phoenix AZ 85007
602-712-8141; Fax 602-712-3046
E-mail: MSanders@azdot.gov
ARKANSAS
Web: www.arkansashighways.com
Highway and Transportation Dept
10324 I-30
PO Box 2261
Little Rock AR 72203-2261
501-569-2020; Fax 501-569-2476
CALIFORNIA
Web: www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/offices/bike/bicycle_prgm.htm
Ken McGuire
Bicycle Facilities Unit
California Dept of Transportation MS1
1120 N St Room 2400
Sacramento CA 95814-5690
916-653-2750; Fax 916-653-1905
E-mail: ken.mcguire@dot.ca.gov
David Priebe, Bicycle Facilities Unit
916-653-0036
E-mail: david.priebe@dot.ca.gov