Publicly Funded Bicycle Plan: Pima County, AZ
In 2006, Pima County, along with the city of Tucson, adopted a bicycle plan that was subsequently given a "Gold Award" from the League of American Bicyclists.
The plan covers an area of almost 2,000 square miles and includes several cities, towns, unincorporated areas and land belonging to two Native American tribes. Cycling is important to the tourism industry in the area; professional and amateur riders train in Pima County during the winter months.
Sponsors of the Pima County plan cite a University of North Carolina study that found bicycle investments returned $9 for every $1 invested. Cycling is a strong factor in local tourism revenues, with an annual impact between $7 and $15 million.
Bicycle facilities involve little impervious pavement. Any shift of mode from driving to cycling for purposeful travel will be a net improvement in sustainability.
