[H+T--Friends] Economic Benefits of Bicycling in Michigan RFP

Please pass on to anyone who might be interested. A scope of services was just posted on the MDOT website for a study on the Economic Impacts of Bicycling in Michigan. The closing date is December 10. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/MDOT_RFP_SS_REQ1080_posted_404288 _7.pdf The Michigan Department of Transportation has determined that a report is necessary which quantifies the economic impacts and health benefits of bicycling on Michigan's economy. The bicycle is used for transportation, exercise, and recreation by people across the state regardless of age and socio-economic status. All across the state from Marquette in the Upper Peninsula to downtown Detroit to the small southwestern Michigan town of South Haven, residents of these communities use the bicycle for transportation purposes, while visitors travel to these communities to bicycle. It is also known that people travel to Michigan with their bicycle from other states and use for both recreation and transportation. Whether it is bicycle lanes in urban areas, paved shoulders in rural areas, a rail-trail connecting communities, the presence of a U.S. Bicycle Route, or an ice cream or bicycle shop; the relative benefits and availability of bicycle facilities and services can influence bicycling in a community. MDOT seeks to develop a report which summarizes a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative assessment of economic and community benefits attributed to the provision of bicycle facilities and services. These benefits can include employment, attraction of new business, increases in existing business activity, increases in property values, visitor spending, education, tourism, congestion mitigation, safety, environmental benefits, capital projects, etc..