The second Miami Valley Cycling Summit takes place Friday. This focus of this year's event is the economic impact of cycling in a community. According to the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, the bike trails in the region attract 1 million visitors, and those people spend 16 million dollars on goods and services related to their use of the trails every year. Andy Williamson is organizing the event, and he says communities also see a ripple effect when they include cycling in their economic plan.
"The by-products of planning and engineering and designing your communities around bicycles and pedestrians brings on a lot of other positives," says Williams, "[The] vibrancy, people on the street, it brings in businesses. Those businesses that bring their patios and restauarants and art galleries outside of their building attract young creative professionals because it's active and vibrant and sexy."
Williamson says that cycling can also impact families, especially with the recent prices at the pump. He adds that using a bike for short commutes also can improve health and is good for the environment.