Partnerships and Key Strategies

Foster Robust Economic Development by Promoting Walking and Bicycling

North Carolina can maximize economic competitiveness, and return on transportation investment, by creating more accessible, attractive, walkable and bikeable communities. Walking and bicycle facilities and programs have been shown to stimulate job growth across North Carolina. The Department of Commerce will work with NCDOT, North Carolina visitors and convention bureaus, chambers of commerce, local governments and private sector interests to build on the broad partnership that was created to prepare this WalkBike NC Plan and explore ways in which we transform our state to become a national and international destination for bicycle and pedestrian tourism.

THIS DIAGRAM REPRESENTS THE PARTNERSHIPS AND LEAD AGENCIES NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THIS PRINCIPLE.

A Robust Economy

Objectives (The WHAT)	Use transportation investment to support economic development and job creation Increase attractiveness and quality-of-life through walkable and bikeable communities Increase return on investment for bike/ped facilities Increase active transportation investment to meet long term needs Increase active transportation investment to meet long term needs Become a national and international destination for bicycle and pedestrian tourism
Performance Measures (The EVALUATION)	Return-on-investment measures Tourism Property Values Job Creation Small business development Individual quality-of-life measures Percentage of active transportation project costs supported by local funding, public-private partnerships, and/or other cost recovery mechanisms New business start-ups due to walkability and bikeability of community
Example Strategies (The HOW)	Promote walking and bicycling Enhance web presence at www.visitnc.com and accessnc.commerce.state.nc.us Expand Main Street Program to include Complete Streets design elements Build partnerships between NCDOT, Department of Commerce, visitors and convention bureaus, chambers of commerce, local governments, and private sector Initiate North Carolina-based return on investment analyses and post-construction assessment for active transportation infrastructure to inform decision-making Diversify the funding stream that supports investment in bicycle and pedestrian facility and program development Use return on investment analyses to inform transportation decision-making Leverage effective funding strategies for active transportation investment to meet long-term needs Establish evaluation/benchmarking program

Find out more about the 5 Pillars of the Plan

 

Safety

 

Health

 

Economy

 

Mobility

 

Environment