By Charles Pekow — Leaders of downtowns across America must step up and lead local transportation initiatives — and they must put bicycling at the center of those efforts.
To support that work, Main Street America, which focuses on energizing and revitalizing traditional downtowns, has developed a Thriving Communities Transportation Kit. The organization says the toolkit shows how “local changemakers can turn bold transportation ideas into lasting improvements for people and places.”
The guide highlights the economic impact of regional bike trails, explaining how they can drive visitors and revenue into downtown districts. It also encourages communities to organize group rides — not just for recreation or fitness, but to identify missing signs, dangerous riding conditions, and gaps in bike lanes or paths.
The toolkit further recommends incorporating bike rides, bicycle giveaways, and helmet distributions into community events to promote safety and accessibility.
Find the toolkit here: https://cdn.mainstreet.org/media/TCP-Toolkit/NMSC107_TCT_TOOKIT_F.pdf
