Icon viewers:
Imagine there was a way to encouraging tourists to travel directly through Bluffton, and having them go by our restaurants and services. Tourists and travelers - whether they are daytrippers or coming from a long-distance - bring economic growth and vitality. Who wouldn't encourage that kind of activity in the village we are so proud of, especially if it had the potential to benefit our community?
The Village Council is considering a resolution that is aimed at bringing in tourists. The resolution before the council is to have Main Street be included as part of US Bike Route 25, as part of a new national bike route system.
This wouldn't cost the Village anything, but would bring bicycle tourists into the village. It is doubtful that Bluffton would see scores of tourists because of this route. Certainly it wouldn't look like when GOBA or the Hancock Hundred is in the village. But having Bluffton on the route would be a way of directing regional bike tourism through Bluffton instead of somewhere else.
One perceived drawback is that it would increase bike traffic on Main Street. This isn't an argument against the bike route. It is a worry that the bike route would be inconvenient for local car drivers.
Of course the economic benefits of any kind of tourism (bike or otherwise) will increase traffic on Main Street. Tourism requires sharing your space with others. This is true for cars as well as bicycles. So, if you don't want to share Main Street with cyclists, why should they spend money in town?
According to one study, long-distance cycling tourists spend approximately $75 a day. Especially in rural areas, services like food, lodging, and bike repair (all available in Bluffton) are few and far between for cyclists. Sharing the road is the price of business. A little personal inconvenience for those of us in cars is a small cost for bringing new visitors to the village.
A second perceived drawback is that "cyclists don't pay taxes or have insurance." This is incorrect. It would be difficult to find a bike tourist who did not own a car, have insurance, or pay taxes.
As a resident of Bluffton, I pay taxes to the village for all sorts of things. As a driver and homeowner, I purchase insurance. Sometimes I get around in my car. And on nice days in summer, I might take my bike downtown to enjoy the weather. My financial contributions to the village don't disappear when I'm on two wheels!
Bluffton has a great opportunity to direct tourist traffic directly through its commercial district. Better to have tourism here than somewhere else nearby! It would be a shame if the Village Council let this opportunity get directed to another community, or away from Bluffton businesses.
I hope the Council supports the resolution to have Main Street marked as part of the national bike route 25.
Yours sincerely,
Forrest Clingerman
Kibler Street
Bluffton
