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Uploaded byProject for Public Spaces & National Center for Biking and Walking
PDF, PPTX12,980 views

More than Just Lines on a Map: Best Practices for U.S Bike Routes

The document outlines the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) and emphasizes its role in promoting bicycle tourism and economic benefits from cycling. It details the history, current statistics, and best practices for developing a coordinated national system of bike routes, alongside the demographic and spending habits of bicycle travelers. The document also highlights successful case studies and plans for future route implementations across various states.

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The U.S. Bicycle Route System Best Practices & Case Studies September 2014 Kevin Luecke Toole Design Group Ginny Sullivan Adventure Cycling Association
Overview •Adventure Cycling •USBRS Vision •Evidence of Success •Why it’$ Important •AASHTO Process •Why a study •Survey Results •Case Studies •Best Practices •What’s next
Inspiring and empowering people to travel by bicycle since 1976.
Adventure Cycling: Who We Are • “America’s Bicycle Travel Experts” • Started as Bikecentennial in 1973 • Largest cycling membership group in North America: 47,000+ globally • 37 staff and many volunteers • Outside Magazine ’08 & ‘12 Best Place to Work • Create some of the best bike route maps, publications, special cycling routes (41,180+ miles) in North America • Fantastic bike adventures and education
100 Tours •Self Contained •Inn to Inn •Van Supported •Fully Supported •Family Fun •Educational •Mountain Bike Tours •Epic: TransAm, Northern Tier, Southern Tier & more
42,000+ miles of routes
** A Nation of Networks ** ** Connected and convenient interstate bike travel from city center to countryside **
History of US Bicycle Routes In 1970’s interest in long distance bicycle travel picks up
First US Bicycle routes designated in 1982 *US Bicycle Route 1 (red) *US Bicycle Route 76 (blue) _______ No routes designated since
Began Project late 2003 Staff Support 2005 ** AASHTO Approval 2008 **
The Vision To encourage the development of a coordinated system of US bicycle routes across the country. The Task Force is charged with developing a recommended national systems-level or corridor- level plan for use in designating potential future US bicycle routes.
Inventory of existing routes overlaid by the proposed corridor system
6,790 miles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEHOj-Nc60Q
Outdoor Industry Reports: More Americans bicycle than golf, ski or play tennis combined.
What is Bicycle Tourism? Russ Roca
Who are Bicycle Travelers? DIY – Self Contained
Ride Centered
Event Centered
Urban Visitors
Bike Travel Demographics • Highly Educated • Higher Discretionary Income • Bike travelers spend more than average tourist • Typically stay longer in an area • Overnights to Multi-Day/Week/Month • Less direct impact on local environment • Green travel potential and linkage with trains/buses • Sweet spot for 50-64 yr olds, which as of 2010 accounts for 43 percent of increase in consumer spending
Shoe String: $25/day Economy: $25-75/day Comfort: $75+/day
Bike travel and tourism are booming Evidence? • Economics • Communities • Route Networks and Facilities • Pubic Relations Investment
Europe! = $57 billion
Lanesboro, MN (just 800 people) $25 million
Quebec! •$160 million spent •$134 million generated in year one (2007) •New study needed
Wisconsin $533 million from out-of-staters for cycling (out of $1.5 billion total for cycling)
Iowa: $364.8 million Or $1 mill/day!! M Wyatt Oregon: $400 million – •35% overnighters •78% revenue from overnights
Phase I = $668 million per year in economic benefit to Michigan's economy. Phase II – next year (includes events & travel)
Other Financials Montana: $377 million from multi-day touring cyclists •Arizona: $88 million impact from Non- resident spenders • Minnesota: $427 million for recreational road and mountain biking – sizable chunk for tourism • Great Allegheny Passage – $50+ million gross revenue in 2012. Tracked $114/day spending by overnight cyclists.. • CO – nearly $200 million for summer biking in ski country • NC – Nine-fold return on Investment: $6.7 million in infrastructure = $60 million in economic impact
Most routes will use existing roads and facilities.
Implementation: Big Picture Route applications submitted to AASHTO by State DOTs –Neighboring states submit together OR connect to an existing USBR or foreign country –Include maps and route descriptions –Sign-off from DOTs •Installation of signs & trailblazing •Expansion of the system –Spur, alternate & loop routes –New routes & corridors
Implementation: State by State •State & local agencies determine best approach –Route Identification –Road Assessments –Coordination with transportation divisions, counties, townships and MPOs –Also aligning routes with neighboring states •Who Does the Work? -Volunteers, bicycle and/or trail advocates -Agency staff
Three Phases of Implementation •Planning •Designation •Promotion
USBR M1-9 MUTCD USBR M1-9 Alternate NCUTCD 2009
•AASHTO & Task Force Liaison •Corridor Plan Map •Meeting Coordination •Training & Mapping •USBRS Blog & Social Media •News & Updates •Forums for discussion •Tracking benefits •Contacts & Stakeholders •Future Map Clearinghouse
•40+ states working at some level •Unique opportunities •Unique challenges •Various stakeholders •Changing agency support • Funding & capacity
State Surveys & Case Studies