Capital Region Business Journal, July 2009
The Madison Region is already well known for its biking assets. This opportunity is about expanding on these assets to fully realize our potential and gain recognition as the North American Bike Capital.
Our region has a strong system for bicycling that includes street lanes and scenic rural road networks, as well as the ability to get from urban centers to the countryside quickly. Over the years, the dairy industry has provided us with a great paved rural road infrastructure that is attractive to bikers. We have miles and miles of off-road bike and pedestrian trails. Rails to Trails programs like the Military Ridge, Highway 12, Badger State Trail, Sugar River, Glacial Drumlin, and Wild Goose state trails can be found in all of the region's counties.
All around the region there is a strong, shared sense of pride in, and commitment to, our regional bicycling infrastructure. Communities are planning and investing in bicycling infrastructure. Many of our counties and communities have undertaken specific planning initiatives to accommodate both commuters and recreational cyclists. Even more communities are partnering with school districts in the Safe Routes to School program to encourage more children to bike and walk to school.
Bicycling in our region is not only a pastime and a commuting option but also a profitable business. The presence of industry leaders like Trek, Saris, Pacific Cycle, Planet Bike and Madrax provide employment opportunities and help to support biking events. Trek and Pacific Cycle now dominate the U.S. bike industry and it has been estimated that combined, the two companies bring about $1.8 billion in revenues. In addition, dozens of bike retailers are scattered across the eight counties.
The Madison Region is already well known for its biking assets. This opportunity is about expanding on these assets to fully realize our potential and gain recognition as the North American Bike Capital.
Our region has a strong system for bicycling that includes street lanes and scenic rural road networks, as well as the ability to get from urban centers to the countryside quickly. Over the years, the dairy industry has provided us with a great paved rural road infrastructure that is attractive to bikers. We have miles and miles of off-road bike and pedestrian trails. Rails to Trails programs like the Military Ridge, Highway 12, Badger State Trail, Sugar River, Glacial Drumlin, and Wild Goose state trails can be found in all of the region's counties.
All around the region there is a strong, shared sense of pride in, and commitment to, our regional bicycling infrastructure. Communities are planning and investing in bicycling infrastructure. Many of our counties and communities have undertaken specific planning initiatives to accommodate both commuters and recreational cyclists. Even more communities are partnering with school districts in the Safe Routes to School program to encourage more children to bike and walk to school.
Bicycling in our region is not only a pastime and a commuting option but also a profitable business. The presence of industry leaders like Trek, Saris, Pacific Cycle, Planet Bike and Madrax provide employment opportunities and help to support biking events. Trek and Pacific Cycle now dominate the U.S. bike industry and it has been estimated that combined, the two companies bring about $1.8 billion in revenues. In addition, dozens of bike retailers are scattered across the eight counties.