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Iowa Bike Coalition presents updated statewide study; estimates $42 million economic impact in Story County
Summary
The Iowa Bike Coalition presented a renewed statewide economic impact study that estimates $1.4 billion in statewide impact and $42 million for Story County, and described accompanying public-health and safety findings and partnership opportunities.
Luke Hoffman, executive director of the Iowa Bike Coalition, presented an updated statewide economic impact study to the Story County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, saying the renewed analysis shows a substantially larger economic role for bicycling and trails than the coalition’s 2012 study.
Hoffman said the updated, multi-method study combines a primary survey, federal data and case studies and shows a statewide bicycling-related economic impact of about $1.4 billion; Story County’s portion, he said, is about $42 million. He told the board Story County ranked among the top counties in survey responses and will receive localized results and raw data as a sponsor of the study.
Hoffman told the board the study counted 900,000 Iowans who ride in a year, supported about 21,000 jobs statewide and included health-impact calculations that estimate fewer cases of some chronic conditions among regular cyclists. He also summarized recent Iowa legislation the coalition supported, including crosswalk protections and a statewide hands-free driving law.
Hoffman said the study was sponsored by seven county conservation boards and other partners, cost more than $60,000, and will be followed by a phase that provides every county with individualized reports funded through a Federal Highway Transportation Administration grant administered by the Iowa DOT.
Board members asked about availability of the full report; Hoffman said he would share localized results with Story County Conservation and the board and follow up with a full report and links. The board took no formal action on the presentation.
