Over the past several days, Adventure Cycling volunteer, Kerry Irons and I have met with various departments of transportation (DOTs) about designating U.S. Bicycle Routes in their state. Each DOT has their own way of moving implementation forward, based on the philosophy of the department (agency culture, if you will) and the approach taken by the individual(s) in charge of bicycle projects and programs. But time after time, the discussion eventually boils down to cost and benefit.
The U.S. Bicycle Route System is a transportation network, which will promote bicycle travel -- whether it be across a county line or across multiple state lines. Tourism is a direct result. Michigan DOT hears this loud and clear -- take it straight from Director Steudle in this blog post and short video.
States involved in developing U.S. Bicycle Routes know there are economic, transportation, environmental and health benefits to providing more transportation options to the traveling public. (We're happy to report 41 states are working at some level -- many are at the "planning" stages; and many are making great progress). That said, some agencies are concerned about how designation will affect their project costs now and down the road.
Today, after one such meeting, I tried to retain a sense of purpose. After explaining the benefits of bicycle tourism and the low-to-no cost in USBR designation (staff time is the main cost since the network uses existing roads and trails -- usually in "as is" condition) I realized that as much as Kerry and I could explain these things, there is no substitute to actually experiencing the benefits of bicycle travel up-close and personal. Added to that, we are unable to provide one of the essential reasons why this network is so important to the thousands of cyclists that are anxious to use it. I guess you could call it the "kindness factor."
Huh. How do you explain to non-cyclists (or cyclists that have never toured) how it feels to be really out there -- the bicycle being both your home and your main form of transportation. How do you explain to them how often the kindess of complete strangers will save you from a cold or wet night outside, provide you with vital fluids or nutrition, or offer you money when you can't find an ATM in the middle of nowhere?
It brings me back to why Greg and June Siple, and Dan and Lys Burden started Bikecentennial in the first place. Though Bikecentennial was billed as an event, the essential reason for the route and tour was the desire for people to experience the "real America" in 1976. Today, those who embark by bicycle across the U.S. are looking for that same experience -- and they are getting it.
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Take my son (pictured left) for example. He's 17 years-old and is touring with his best friend, Drew (right) and another young man, Ty. The crew started out in Oregon and were immediately blessed with the kindness of new friends along the route. Before long, they met Neal Fisher, a bike traveler from Connecticut, essentially on the same route and same timeline. The four decided to ride together. Through Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota, the four (and sometimes five when my husband rode too) experienced the kindness of complete strangers -- like Tony Braun, pictured above who paid for their hotel and meal. They were especially blown away by the generosity of people in North Dakota -- Neal calls them "benefactors."
Watching this bicycle march across the country and hearing story after story from my son each day has lifted my heart. I realize that this is why I love my job; this is why Adventure Cycling has committed resources to seeing this project through; and that this is why cyclists across America follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@USBicycleRoutes) and donate to our campaigns. And while the "kindness factor" is not a measurable outcome and we can't show the cost benefit breakdown, we know it to be an essential element of bicycle travel.
Top photo by George Schon on Flickr, middle photo by Dan Burden, bottom photo by Neal Fisher.
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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/2012/07/measuring-kindness-factor.html
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