Can Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Save the U.S.?

Perhaps I'm exaggerating things in the title of this post -- but really, biking and walking offer proven benefits for the health and well-being of individuals, both are environmentally friendly, and we know they offer economic benefits as well.

I'd like to bring to your attention a study by Heidi Garrett-Peltier from the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Released in June 2011, it's titled, "Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure: A National Study of Employment Impacts" (pdf).

Heidi took data from eleven cities and fifty-eight separate projects. She found that for the same amount spent on roadway-exclusive projects, those that included additional bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure (bike lanes, sidewalks, bike/ped paths, etc) created more jobs -- typically an additional three jobs per $1 million spent. Plus these jobs tend to employ people from the local communities.

If you're interested in learning more about this economic and jobs report, you can listen to a summary of the report or watch an interview with Garret-Peltier titled "Bikes A Path to Jobs."


Photo by Touring Cyclist on flickr

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BUILDING THE U.S. BICYCLE ROUTE SYSTEM (USBRS) is posted by Ginny Sullivan, USBRS coordinator at Adventure Cycling, and features news and updates related to the emerging U.S. Bicycle Route System. The USBRS project is a collaborative effort, spearheaded by a task force under the auspices of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Members of the task force include officials and staff from state DOTs, the Federal Highway Administration, and nonprofits like the East Coast Greenway Alliance, and Mississippi River Trail, Inc.

Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/10/can-bicycle-and-pedestrian.html

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Team Boardman Cycling Plus ? Sean Lacey

Team Boardman Cycling Plus  will be updating you each week with the highs and lows of their training as part of the team. This week Sean has an Epic ride! Sean Lacey Lives: Shropshire Age: 40 Height: 1.88m Weight: 93kg Reasons to ride: mid-life fitness crisis and to make my 71-year-old roadie grandfather proud! Weaknesses: [...]

Source: http://magazine.bikeradar.com/2011/10/06/team-boardman-cycling-plus-sean-lacey-7/

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Tribute to Wouter Weylandt (#108), 1984-2011

I’m sure many of you have heard the news regarding the tragic death of Wouter Weylandt of Leopard-Trek last week during the third stage of the Giro d?Italia, after he crashed during a mountain descent. The funeral was this week. This horribly sad event has really given me pause, but also a deeper understanding and [...]

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/tribute-to-wouter-weylandt-108-1984-2011/

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TdF Stage 12 ? Klöden ? Pain and Suffering

To the uninitiated, when enthusiasts talk about how elite cyclists can suffer and push themselves through pain, it?s usually a good thing, a compliment. It often refers to a rider pedaling up a high mountain or a long time trial where the toughest mental competitors drive themselves beyond their physical red zone and can [...]

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/tdf-stage-12-kloden-pain-and-suffering/

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Outer Banks businesses benefit from bicycle paths and lanes

Occasionally I'll stumble across reports that study whether the cost of building bike paths or bike lanes justify the expenditures of public funds.

In all cases, the bike facilities pay for themselves. And not just for increased health and safety of users, but in cold hard cash for businesses.

For instance, a report entitled "Bikeways to Prosperity" looked at whether $6.7 million worth of state and local spending for an extensive network of bicycle facilities on the Outer Banks of North Carolina was justified.

The study, researched in 2003 and published in 2004, found that a conservative estimate of 40,800 visitors a year vacationed ...

Source: http://www.bikingbis.com/blog/_archives/2011/10/9/4916077.html

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Team Radioshack Line-up in Tour of Austria

Team Radioshack is ready to ride in the 63rd edition of Tour of Austria (Internationale Österreich Rundfahrt), which takes place July 3-10, 2011. Team Radioshack will start with a team of relatively young riders: Matthew Busche, Robbie Hunter, Ben King, Michal Kwiatkowski, Geoffroy Lequatre, Tiago Machado, Gregory Rast & Jesse Sergent Director: José Azevedo Go Team Radioshack, Go!!!

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/team-radioshack-line-up-in-tour-of-austria/

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Muravyev Rides Strong at Three Days of De Panne

Team RadioShack?s Dmitriy Muravyev (KAZ) made his presence felt in the opening stage of the 35th running of the Three Days of De Panne, staying with a 4-man breakaway that somehow kept clear of a peloton loaded with expectant sprinter?s teams. Dmitriy crossed the finish line 3rd behind the winner Omega Pharma-Lotto?s André Greipel [...]

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/muravyev-rides-strong-at-three-days-of-de-panne/

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