KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — In the midst of Kalamazoo Bike Week, city leaders in both Kalamazoo and Portage are weighing in on state data that discusses the economic impacts of bike riding.
The data was collected by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and covers events that occurred in 2014.
The team behind the study surveyed participants in organized bicycling events throughout the state of Michigan about their spending habits. Self‐supported touring bicyclists (bicyclists who do not rely on motor vehicles to carry their gear and provisions while travelling) were also asked to estimate their spending habits while in the state of Michigan.
Survey respondents were asked to estimate their spending in the following categories:
- Lodging (e.g. hotels, campgrounds, cottages);
- Restaurants and bars;
- Groceries (i.e. food and beverage not at restaurants and bars);
- Non‐food shopping (e.g. clothing, souvenirs, etc.);
- Non‐bicycling entertainment (e.g. amusement park, movie theater, etc.);
- Bicycles, components, repairs, and accessories;
- and Transportation (e.g. airfare, gas, public transportation, car rental or parking).
In general, the study made the following discoveries through studying data:
In order to supplement the findings, case studies were made on various biking events and their own economic impacts. The data can be viewed below:
- Apple Cider Century – $1.94 million dollars in total economic impact is calculated from the direct spending of out‐ of‐state participants to the 2014 ACC;
- Michigander – $742 is the estimated average expenditure for all 2014 Michigander participants. This average is higher than the other five case study events;
- DALMAC – An estimated 36 percent of out‐of‐state participants to DALMAC came from states further away than Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indiana;
- Ore to Shore – 97 percent of participants in the 2014 Ore to Shore were non‐local participants (i.e., travelled to the event from more than 50 miles away);
- Iceman Cometh – According to event registration logs, participants in the 2014 Iceman Cometh Challenge traveled to Michigan from 36 different states and two countries (Canada and Australia);
- Tour de Troit – More than 7,500 individuals participated in the 2014 Tour de Troit, according to event registration information.
Below is a summary of economic and health benefits calculated by the study team for Michigan due to bicycling including:
- Household spending on bicycling (for both bicycle-specific and general retail) – $175 million;
- Manufacturing – $11 million;
- Avoided health costs – $256 million;
- Reduced absenteeism – $187 million;
- Event and tourism spending – $38 million.
The total benefits calculated for the state of Michigan is approximately $668 million.
The data charts can be viewed at this link and at this link.
As a result of this survey, Kalamazoo and Portage Mayors David Anderson and Patricia Randall are discussing how it relates to the Kalamazoo area.
“In terms of the state-wide survey, it certainly talks about the economic impact of people who are interested in riding bikes here in Michigan, I think that’s so important,” Anderson said. “I think it’s even more important to think about our communities, how we live together, how we exercise, [and] being safe around each other.”
Mayor Randall says bike safety is important for citizens to learn about.
“I am all about advocacy at the state and national level for safer bike riding,” Randall said. “Whether its for communicating or recreational, I think it is very critical that we educate our public and our bicyclists alike how to safety share the roads.”
Both Anderson and Randall agree that local five-foot passing ordinances in Kalamazoo, Portage and Kalamazoo and Oshtemo townships are important for bike safety.
“I can definitely see that people are not in the sense of urgency to get places that they have been in the past, and they’re very respectful of riders on the road,” Randall said of the passing rule. “I really hope that this can continue post-pandemic, because the roads are for everyone. Part of Portage’s brand and logo is ‘a natural place to move,’ and we have demonstrated that with 20 miles of paved trails and 55 miles of bike lanes.”
In order to help make the Kalamazoo area even more bike-friendly, Kalamazoo and Portage are teaming up with surrounding areas to help develop more trails and resources for riders.
“We have six miles of new bike trails this year as part of our road project, so these are bike lanes adjacent to roads,” Mayor Anderson said. “We are partnering with the City of Portage designating Oakland Drive as part of the Southwest Michigan Bikeway. Every neighborhood plan that’s being developed is including all kinds of ways for communities to take advantage of other ways to connect. I think the important message out of this is that this is not only a community value, I think county-wide it’s a multi-community value. We’re gonna see more and more of this as we get back to construction and things open up, we’re gonna see more bike trails being created and connecting to communities and taking advantage of that opportunity.”
More information about the Oakland Drive project can be found at this link.
In a related matter, local law enforcement agencies are reminding citizens about basic biking safety tips in accordance with Kalamazoo Bike Week.
