Walking, riding bike could help economy in Vt.

Opting to walk or ride a bicycle comes with some obvious health and environmental benefits, but a recent Vermont Department of Transportation study says the state could see an economic boost from supporting that kind of lifestyle.
http://www.eagletimes.com/news/2012-03-16/Front_Page/Walking_riding_bike_could_help_economy_in_Vt.html

Walking, riding bike could help economy in Vt.
2012-03-16 / Front Page

VERMONT
By IAN LORD
Staff Writer

Opting to walk or ride a bicycle comes with some obvious health and environmental benefits, but a recent Vermont Department of Transportation study says the state could see an economic boost from supporting that kind of lifestyle.

The multi-firm consultant team of Resource Systems Group, Inc. of White River Junction, Economic and Policy Resources, Inc. of Williston, Vt. and Local Motion of Burlington, studied figures from Vermont’s walking and bicycle use in 2009 to establish estimates for economic benefits in the state. Jon Kaplan, the VTrans project manager, said the hired consultants used a highly-respected economic model to calculate the economical impacts.

Findings from the study include revenue from walking and bicycling tourism, pedestrian and bicyclingoriented businesses and infrastructure throughout the state, such as walking and bike paths. While other factors — impacts on real estate value and avoided transportation costs — could have a significant effect, those numbers weren’t run through the economic model because of the level of assumptions used in those particular studies.

The study’s economic input/output model — using very conservative estimates, according to Robert Chase of Economic and Policy Resources — showed the impacts of the three areas of walking and bicycling investment: Infrastructure, businesses and visitor spending. According to the study, that input would create 1,418 jobs, $41 million in labor earnings, $83 million in revenue and a $1.6 million impact on the state budget.

Kaplan said those numbers mean that for every dollar the state invests in walking and bicycling programs, $2.87 is generated in revenue. While that amount of revenue would make up a minute fraction of Vermont’s gross domestic product, the study showed that it would have an impact in many sectors, from manufacturing to retail to service industries.

“We’re getting something back for our money,” Kaplan told people around the state through a video conference last night. “We’re getting more than we’re putting in.”

The study was designed as a preliminary report of potential economic impacts of walking and bicycling in Vermont, but there are plans to continue the research and update the study every two years, said Beth Isler, senior consultant for Resource Systems Group. She said further studies will be conducted to more accurately estimate impacts on rural housing and avoided transportation costs for both consumers and the public.

Avoided transportation costs for consumers include the cost of a car, and the amount of money to keep it running. The study’s data that wasn’t included in the final estimates showed that more biking and walking could save up to $43 million in consumer costs.

“People don’t realize how expensive it is to have a car,” said Chuck Gregory, who works in Springfield for the Vermont Department of Public Health. “The physical inconvenience of walking or biking rather than driving is much more painful to them than the cost of driving.”

The public avoided transportation costs include things like pollution, water quality, noise, parking and health. The study estimated that would save up to $42 million in costs.

Calculating the health costs of transitioning motorists to biking or walking to work is difficult, but the benefits are obvious, said Suzanne Kelley, physical activity coordinator for the Department of Health’s Fit and Healthy Vermonter Program. She said obesity is the second-leading cause of preventable death in the country, and more than 60 percent of Vermonters are overweight or obese.

Kelley served on the study’s task force, and said its goals and efforts really coincide with the Fit and Healthy Vermonter program. Kelley’s program provides grants and incentives for communities to support means of healthier lifestyles, including transportation. With the study highlighting the economic benefits of walking and biking, she said it’s necessary to get people out walking and on their bicycles more, no matter what the reason is.

“Whatever the motivation is to do it, let’s do it,” Kelley said. “I think this was just another way to highlight the importance of an active lifestyle.”

As the state explores ways that bicycling and pedestrian programs can provide an economic boost, community members wanted to know what can be done on a community level. Nick Matush of Springfield asked what towns can do to draw funding for programs that would support walking and biking.

“I think people want to know how to get money on the local level,” Matush said. “It all boils down to funds.”

Kaplan said people interested in doing something at a local level should contact their selectboards and town officials to research what kinds of grants or funding is available. He said any grants solicited locally have to be done through the town government as a sponsor. Kaplan also suggested that people talk with the regional planning commissions, because they are heavily involved in transportation issues.

While the study only scratches the surface, Kaplan said its conservative estimates refutes claims that pedestrian and bicycling investments aren’t financially prudent. As VTrans and its consulting team continues to work on the numbers, he said it’s important for the state and communities to begin seriously considering the values of walking and biking.

“I think this study will help us be able to say, ‘It’s not a waste of money,’ ” Kaplan said.