Calls Bikes Can Save the World!
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By Anna Thill, Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME), Visit Mankato President I may have gone a bit far with the title of this piece. Or did I? I am absolutely convinced of the clear importance and benefits of the simple bicycle. Bicycling is a fast growing industry that is making a significant mark on local economies and tourism. This is due to the fact that more and more people are finding their way to bicycling for a number of reasons - whether it is to increase their health, as a means of travel to save costs and the environment, or to recreate. Wealth can either arrive on bikes or it can be created by focusing on bikes. The sooner we, meaning all of us, adopt this concept, the quicker we are going to see positive dividends on our budgets and not just through bicycle tourism. To make sure we see these benefits we need to: • support increased trails, bike paths and bike lanes that are well marked and safe • support ample bike parking around public spaces and businesses • ensure that biking is taken into consideration whenever the roads and transportation system is under discussion • make sure that amenities are available and preferably close to the trail
Traveling by bike is a cost effective way to get around a community. Recent data indicates that it costs an estimated five to ten cents per mile to own and operate a bicycle. The American Automobile Association estimates the cost to drive an automobile at 58.5 cents per mile for 2011, according to their “Your Driving Costs” study. Finally, bicycling offers a way for the riders to connect with their environment in a way that they simply can’t if sitting in a vehicle. They get the opportunity to go at a pace that offers the ability to take in more of the sites, sounds and smells of the city or great outdoors. This is especially good for tourism because the more acquainted a visitor becomes with a destination and has a good experience, the more likely they will want to come back to discover more. So that is how bicycles can save the world - wealthier communities, safer roads, a cleaner environment and healthier people also tend to be happier. Look for my article in next month’s Minnesota Valley Business to see how our community is taking steps to support bicycling.
More bicyclists mean roads will be less congested and safer. It can also reduce pollution and create a healthier environment as more people opt to travel via their bike rather than a gas-consuming, carbon dioxide-emitting automobile. Visit Mankato is an affiliate of Greater Mankato Growth (GMG), operated as an LLC under GMG.Visit Mankato is dedicated to the important work of attracting and servicing visitors, conventions, events and tournaments in Greater Mankato.
MN Valley Business • April 2014 • 39
Greater Mankato Growth
Residents will also reap the benefits of a bicycle friendly community. Once the list above is accomplished, our community will be primed to host biking events that locals and visitors will enjoy. There could be an increase in property values along trails. Studies have found that 70 percent of real estate agents use trails as a selling feature when selling homes near trails and houses closer to above average bike-ability facilities are worth up to $34,000 more than similar houses in areas with average bike-ability levels.
With a healthier environment and more active residents there will also be a reduction in health care costs. For example, analysis of the health savings resulting from the bicycle infrastructure in Portland, Oregon, came up with stunning results. If the city builds out only the infrastructure it currently plans, it will break even by 2015. By 2030, Portland will have saved $800 million – partly in fuel costs but primarily in health care and the value of reduced mortality. For every $1 that is spent in bicycle infrastructure, $5 is saved in health care costs.