Bike/Ped Initiatives and Economic Development

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2016 NADO ATC Conference

Wayne Strickland Executive Director

Roanoke-Valley Alleghany Regional Commission

• Support Healthy Communities• Promote Outdoor Recreation Assets

to Retain and Attract Workers• Address Air Quality Issues• Provide a Safe and Efficient

Transportation System• Build on local assets to strengthen

regional collaboration

IDENTIFY REGIONAL VALUES

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CREATE A VISION

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• 1995 Conceptual Greenway Plan • Updated 2007 & currently in update

• 1997 Bikeway Plan for the Roanoke Valley• Updated 2005 & 2102

• 1997 Rural Bikeway Plan • Updated 2006

• 2015 Pedestrian Vision Plan

LEVERAGE REGIONAL PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE BIKE CULTURE

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Leverages funding to create media coverage about the region’s alternative transportation opportunities. Examples:

• BIKE SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL • Screened at 5 historic theatres sites throughout region

• ART BY BIKE TOUR • Tour designed to highlight Roanoke’s Public Art via

bike• Featured in article in USA Today • NADO Award winner in 2015

COMPLIMENT THE WORK OF PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

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• Roanoke Outside • Focus on recreation but allows us to reach

commuters/non-traditional cyclists• Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

• Branding support – Virginia’s Blue Ridge• Media Coverage - Reinforce the branding of our region as

a bike friendly, tourist destination for outdoor enthusiasts and for casual cyclists.

• Greenway Commission• Support with mapping, trail counting, data, and

administrative support• Local Governments

• Assist local governments in completing Bike Friendly Community application/designation

• Greenway Construction• Bike lane construction• Share the road signs• Coordinated regional branding and marketing

initiatives• Leveraging funding from both private and public

sources that helps to strengthen regional collaborative efforts

MAKING THE INVESTMENTS

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GATHER DATA AND MEASURE THE RESULTS

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• Data Collection and Measurements:o Traffx Trail Counting Program - Captures greenway

use and traffic data to plan for future use and development.

o National Bike/Pedestrian Documentation Study - Captures site specific bike/ped traffic.

• RIDE Solutionso Bike Incident Reporting Tool - Developed to capture

data about incidents involving bikes/ped/autos.

AUTHENTICITY AND GETTING RESULTS

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• Using bike/ped assests to help attract companies and workers to the region.

• Simply saying you have a plan isn’t enough – how will the plan be implemented.

• Commitment by government and private sector leaders to help implement a regional vision.

• Implementation and a proven commitment to the vision has spurred economic development.

Example of Using Bike/Ped Assets to Attract

CompaniesDeschutes Brewery

• Roanoke City committed to expand the regional Greenway to the brewery site.

• Regional water authority able to ensure access to quality water sources.

• A long-term vision for developing quality industrial sites was critical.

QUESTIONS?

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Wayne Strickland Executive Director

Roanoke-Valley Alleghany Regional Commissionwstrickland@rvarc.org

Ph- 540.343.4417