Where should we invest to improve bicycle tourism for a stronger local economy and safer streets?
We are working together on the Interregional Bicycle Tourism Study, funded by Caltrans. The study area stretches across a broad swath of geography, from the relatively flat agricultural lands of the Central Valley, onto the windy, hilly roads of the foothills, and climbing across multiple high passes across the Sierras.
Our goal is to support local businesses while improving the quality of life for residents who will enjoy safer bicycling for transportation and recreation.
We have already surveyed hundreds of stakeholders in the region. We’ve studied how other regions have promoted and benefited from bicycle tourism. We are developing cycling tourism guides for merchants and visitors across the region. We are planning to ensure that rumble strips are installed with bicycle safety in mind.
Importantly, we are proposing five bicycle tourism showcase areas to focus improvements in safety and amenities, one in each county. The showcase areas were developed based on a number of factors: interviews with local leaders and residents, a survey of destinations and accommodations to support tourism, and existing levels of bicycle activity.
Selected Showcase Areas
- San Joaquin County: Woodbridge/Lodi Area
- Stanislaus County: Oakdale/Knights Ferry
- Calaveras County: Angels Camp – Murphys Corridor
- Tuolumne County: Jamestown, Columbia, Sonora Area
- Alpine County: Safety on State Routes
We want your feedback!
Are the showcase areas popular bike routes you like to ride currently?
Do you have safety concerns within any Showcase Area?
Do you have any ideas for supportive amenities (signage, repair services, bike racks, etc) that would encourage bike riding in the Showcase Areas?
AND…What bike destinations or routes in your county would you like to visit/ride to in the future?
Your feedback and suggestions will be used by Fehr & Peers Transportation planners to identify road improvements that will support safe bike riding and make our Central Valley to Sierra region a singular recreational bike riding destination.
Our goal is to foster bike-friendly communities in the Central Valley, Motherlode and Sierras supported by information available on websites and in print. A perfect example of this type of model bike friendly community is the California Central Coast, which boasts “miles of world-renowned cycling routes for every level of athlete.” Their website lists rides, accomodations, events—everything a cyclist would need to know about visiting their regions. It lends weight to their tag line: “From training grounds for cycling’s elite to views that make the rides even more enjoyable, it’s safe to say the Central Coast will leave you breathless in every way.” https://www.cyclecentralcoast.com/
We think that cycling the Central Valley to the Sierra High Country—the beauty, the solitude, the amenities, and yes, the mountains!—is even more breathtaking.
But we need to assess the proposed Showcase areas, and for that, we are relying on you to help out.
Forward comments and suggestions about road selection and/or improvements by February 5, 2021 to Rob Williams, CalBike Outreach Manager, rob@calbike.org
Leave a Reply