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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem IV- Bike  Environmental​ ​Studies:​ ​Senior​ ​Seminar,​ ​Fall​ ​2017  Bike​ ​Friendly​ ​Oshkosh  Jonathon​ ​Buchinger,​ ​Ryan​ ​DeLoge,​ ​Kelsey​ ​Emrich,​ ​Josephine​ ​Mackai,​ ​and​ ​Christopher​ ​Meuer                  Executive​ ​Summary   We​ ​recommend​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Oshkosh​ ​Sustainability​ ​Advisory​ ​Board​ ​partner​ ​with​ ​the  Oshkosh​ ​Bicycle​ ​and​ ​Pedestrian​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​pursue​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​friendly  certification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists.​ ​Seventeen​ ​other​ ​cities​ ​across  Wisconsin​ ​have​ ​been​ ​certified​ ​at​ ​some​ ​level,​ ​creating​ ​a​ ​network​ ​of​ ​bike​ ​friendly  communities.​ ​Like​ ​these​ ​cities,​ ​Oshkosh​ ​obtaining​ ​a​ ​certification​ ​will​ ​help​ ​address​ ​the  issues​ ​of:​ ​sustainable​ ​transportation,​ ​public​ ​health,​ ​and​ ​reducing​ ​levels​ ​of​ ​congestion  throughout​ ​the​ ​city.​ ​From​ ​this​ ​process,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​hoped​ ​that​ ​Oshkosh​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​achieve:​ ​at  least​ ​a​ ​bronze​ ​level​ ​of​ ​certification,​ ​increased​ ​use​ ​of​ ​the​ ​bicycle​ ​network,​ ​and​ ​greater​ ​levels  of​ ​community​ ​engagement​ ​between​ ​citizens​ ​and​ ​city​ ​officials.​ ​Financially,​ ​obtaining​ ​this  certification​ ​will​ ​cost​ ​the​ ​city​ ​approximately​ ​$150​ ​per​ ​year​ ​to​ ​maintain.​ ​Even​ ​though​ ​the  certification​ ​does​ ​not​ ​cost​ ​much,​ ​financial​ ​investments​ ​from​ ​the​ ​city​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​the​ ​current  bicycle​ ​network​ ​will​ ​be​ ​necessary​ ​if​ ​the​ ​city​ ​wishes​ ​to​ ​achieve​ ​a​ ​higher​ ​level​ ​of​ ​certification  in​ ​the​ ​future.​ ​Also,​ ​the​ ​application​ ​itself​ ​is​ ​time​ ​consuming​ ​to​ ​fill​ ​out,​ ​and​ ​will​ ​require  additional​ ​personnel​ ​hours​ ​from​ ​the​ ​city​ ​staff​ ​to​ ​complete.​ ​We​ ​know​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Bike​ ​and  Pedestrian​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee​ ​is​ ​very​ ​busy,​ ​so​ ​we​ ​have​ ​filled​ ​out​ ​approximately​ ​fifty  percent​ ​of​ ​the​ ​application​ ​to​ ​help​ ​reduce​ ​the​ ​time​ ​required​ ​of​ ​them​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​the  application.​ ​The​ ​remaining​ ​portion​ ​requires​ ​data​ ​that​ ​the​ ​city​ ​is​ ​better​ ​equipped​ ​to​ ​provide.   With​ ​this​ ​certification,​ ​the​ ​city​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​advance​ ​its​ ​sustainability​ ​goals​ ​by  reducing​ ​carbon​ ​emissions​ ​from​ ​transportation​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​and​ ​gain​ ​additional  points​ ​toward​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​Green​ ​Tier​ ​sustainability​ ​strategies​ ​scoresheet.​ ​Whether​ ​or​ ​not  Oshkosh​ ​obtains​ ​certification​ ​at​ ​this​ ​time,​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists​ ​will​ ​provide  resources​ ​and​ ​assistance​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​Oshkosh’s​ ​bike​ ​network.​ ​Additionally,​ ​the​ ​league​ ​will  help​ ​the​ ​city​ ​work​ ​towards​ ​achieving​ ​higher​ ​certification​ ​goals​ ​by​ ​providing​ ​planning  structure​ ​and​ ​step​ ​by​ ​step​ ​guidance.​ ​While​ ​Oshkosh​ ​may​ ​not​ ​be​ ​certified​ ​right​ ​away,​ ​the  advantages​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city​ ​applying​ ​for​ ​a​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclist​ ​certification​ ​are​ ​still  worthwhile.​ ​Stakeholder​ ​input​ ​has​ ​also​ ​made​ ​clear​ ​the​ ​overwhelming​ ​support​ ​for​ ​biking  structure​ ​and​ ​culture​ ​in​ ​Oshkosh.​ ​Additionally,​ ​this​ ​certification​ ​can​ ​also​ ​be​ ​used​ ​as​ ​a  marketing​ ​tool​ ​to​ ​promote​ ​a​ ​healthy​ ​and​ ​sustainable​ ​community​ ​for​ ​potential​ ​future  residents,​ ​and​ ​also​ ​build​ ​momentum​ ​within​ ​the​ ​city​ ​to​ ​continue​ ​improving​ ​the​ ​current  bicycle​ ​network.     2      Table​ ​of​ ​Contents  Executive​ ​Summary 2  Table​ ​of​ ​Contents 3  Problem​ ​Identification 4  Proposed​ ​Action 5  League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists 5  Stakeholders 6  Key​ ​Stakeholders 6  Primary​ ​Stakeholders 9  Secondary​ ​Stakeholders 11  Expert​ ​Stakeholders 13  Benchmark​ ​Cities 17  Appleton,​ ​Wisconsin 17  Eau​ ​Claire,​ ​Wisconsin 18  Boulder,​ ​Colorado 19  Marquette,​ ​Michigan 20  Nashville,​ ​Tennessee 21  Cost 22  Barriers 23  Significance​ ​for​ ​Sustainability 24  Profit 24  Planet 25  People 26  Conclusion 27  Appendix 29  City​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh​ ​Bicycle​ ​Facilities​ ​Improvement​ ​Survey​ ​(Community​ ​Survey)29  League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists​ ​Example​ ​Guidance 41  Bike​ ​Friendly​ ​Community​ ​Application 43  References 44    3      Problem​ ​Identification  In​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh,​ ​motor​ ​vehicle​ ​transportation​ ​remains​ ​the​ ​most​ ​dominant  mode​ ​of​ ​transportation.​ ​While​ ​much​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​current​ ​transportation​ ​network​ ​has​ ​been  developed​ ​for​ ​motor​ ​vehicle​ ​use,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​many​ ​downsides​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​this​ ​form​ ​of  transportation.​ ​Increased​ ​motor​ ​vehicle​ ​use​ ​not​ ​only​ ​results​ ​in​ ​greater​ ​levels​ ​of​ ​congestion  throughout​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​but​ ​also​ ​higher​ ​levels​ ​of​ ​carbon​ ​emissions.​ ​By​ ​maintaining​ ​the​ ​current  state​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​transportation​ ​network,​ ​Oshkosh​ ​would​ ​be​ ​increasing​ ​the​ ​dangerous​ ​and  costly​ ​health​ ​effects​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​motor​ ​vehicle​ ​traffic.​ ​Additionally,​ ​the​ ​continued  dominance​ ​of​ ​motor​ ​vehicle​ ​traffic​ ​in​ ​Oshkosh​ ​is​ ​not​ ​sustainable.​ ​One​ ​way​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of  Oshkosh​ ​can​ ​promote​ ​a​ ​sustainable​ ​and​ ​healthy​ ​form​ ​of​ ​transportation​ ​is​ ​by​ ​continuing​ ​to  develop​ ​it’s​ ​bicycle​ ​transportation​ ​network.   In​ ​its​ ​current​ ​form,​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​bicycle​ ​network​ ​is​ ​viewed​ ​as​ ​unsafe​ ​by​ ​community  members,​ ​and​ ​inefficient,​ ​due​ ​to​ ​its​ ​overall​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​connectivity.​ ​The​ ​city​ ​is​ ​currently  attempting​ ​to​ ​address​ ​this​ ​issue​ ​by​ ​creating​ ​more​ ​bicycle​ ​lanes​ ​and​ ​shared​ ​lanes,​ ​or  “sharrows,”​ ​to​ ​make​ ​it​ ​easier​ ​for​ ​bicyclists​ ​to​ ​travel​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​city.​ ​With​ ​the​ ​expansion  of​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​current​ ​bicycle​ ​network,​ ​and​ ​an​ ​increase​ ​in​ ​the​ ​users​ ​taking​ ​advantage​ ​of​ ​the  network,​ ​the​ ​issue​ ​of​ ​biker​ ​education​ ​has​ ​also​ ​become​ ​an​ ​important​ ​point​ ​of​ ​contention.   Many​ ​bikers​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​city​ ​are​ ​unaware​ ​of​ ​the​ ​rules​ ​and​ ​guidelines​ ​that  bicyclists​ ​should​ ​follow​ ​to​ ​minimize​ ​the​ ​occurrence​ ​of​ ​potentially​ ​dangerous​ ​accidents.  While​ ​there​ ​are​ ​some​ ​groups​ ​in​ ​the​ ​region​ ​that​ ​provide​ ​safety​ ​tips​ ​for​ ​bicyclists,​ ​the​ ​city​ ​has  fallen​ ​behind​ ​in​ ​providing​ ​educational​ ​materials​ ​for​ ​its​ ​residents​ ​and​ ​the​ ​body​ ​language  used​ ​to​ ​state​ ​turning​ ​signals.​ ​Because​ ​of​ ​these​ ​issues,​ ​many​ ​community​ ​members​ ​do​ ​not  use​ ​the​ ​current​ ​bicycle​ ​network.​ ​​ ​In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​move​ ​forward​ ​as​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​city​ ​and​ ​gain  certification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists,​ ​updates​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​done​ ​to​ ​the​ ​city’s  current​ ​bicycle​ ​network.         4      Proposed​ ​Action   In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​make​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh​ ​bicycle​ ​friendly,​ ​we​ ​propose​ ​application​ ​for​ ​a  bike​ ​friendly​ ​community​ ​certification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists.​ ​The​ ​league  describes​ ​the​ ​program​ ​as​ ​“much​ ​more​ ​than​ ​a​ ​practical,​ ​cost-effective​ ​solution​ ​to​ ​many  municipal​ ​challenges,”​ ​and​ ​describes​ ​it​ ​as​ ​“an​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​make​ ​your​ ​community​ ​a  vibrant​ ​destination​ ​for​ ​residents​ ​and​ ​visitors”​ ​(League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists).​ ​With​ ​this  certification,​ ​the​ ​city​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​effectively​ ​gauge​ ​their​ ​overall​ ​bicycle​ ​friendliness  against​ ​other​ ​cities​ ​in​ ​the​ ​region​ ​by​ ​comparing​ ​the​ ​report​ ​card​ ​the​ ​city​ ​will​ ​receive​ ​with  report​ ​cards​ ​on​ ​the​ ​league’s​ ​website.​ ​The​ ​city​ ​will​ ​also​ ​receive​ ​a​ ​step-by-step​ ​guide  describing​ ​how​ ​to​ ​further​ ​improve​ ​the​ ​city's​ ​biking​ ​system,​ ​and​ ​guidance​ ​to​ ​determine​ ​the  best​ ​path​ ​possible​ ​to​ ​making​ ​our​ ​collective​ ​vision​ ​of​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​Oshkosh​ ​a​ ​reality.​ ​​ ​In  addition​ ​to​ ​giving​ ​Oshkosh​ ​a​ ​metric​ ​to​ ​compare​ ​its​ ​bike​ ​friendliness​ ​with​ ​other  communities,​ ​a​ ​bronze​ ​certification​ ​will​ ​also​ ​be​ ​a​ ​powerful​ ​marketing​ ​tool​ ​for​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of  Oshkosh​ ​to​ ​help​ ​attract​ ​potential​ ​residents.  League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists  Originally​ ​founded​ ​as​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Wheelman​ ​in​ ​1880,​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of  American​ ​Bicyclists​ ​is​ ​a​ ​non-profit​ ​organization​ ​that​ ​has​ ​continued​ ​to​ ​promote​ ​their​ ​vision  of​ ​“a​ ​nation​ ​where​ ​everyone​ ​recognizes​ ​and​ ​enjoys​ ​the​ ​many​ ​benefits​ ​and​ ​opportunities​ ​of  bicycling”​ ​(League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists).​ ​Additionally,​ ​the​ ​league​ ​hopes​ ​to​ ​promote​ ​their  vision​ ​through​ ​their​ ​mission​ ​as​ ​leaders​ ​to:​ ​“listen​ ​and​ ​learn,​ ​define​ ​standards​ ​and​ ​share  best​ ​practices​ ​to​ ​engage​ ​diverse​ ​communities​ ​and​ ​build​ ​a​ ​powerful,​ ​unified​ ​voice​ ​for  change”​ ​for​ ​bicyclists​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​country​ ​(League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists).​ ​By​ ​promoting  their​ ​vision​ ​and​ ​mission,​ ​the​ ​league​ ​is​ ​attempting​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​culture​ ​throughout​ ​the  country​ ​with​ ​certifications​ ​available​ ​for:​ ​universities,​ ​communities,​ ​businesses,​ ​and​ ​states.         5      Stakeholders  Below​ ​is​ ​a​ ​list​ ​of​ ​the​ ​relevant​ ​stakeholders,​ ​their​ ​viewpoints,​ ​and​ ​connections​ ​to  biking​ ​in​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh.​ ​The​ ​list​ ​is​ ​broken​ ​down​ ​into​ ​four​ ​categories:​ ​Key,​ ​Primary,  Secondary,​ ​and​ ​Expert​ ​stakeholders.   Key​ ​Stakeholders  One​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​important​ ​aspects​ ​of​ ​conducting​ ​stakeholder​ ​interviews​ ​is​ ​to  understand​ ​the​ ​perspective​ ​and​ ​limitations​ ​of​ ​the​ ​individuals​ ​that​ ​would​ ​be​ ​most​ ​directly  impacted​ ​by​ ​the​ ​city​ ​obtaining​ ​a​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists​ ​certification.​ ​These​ ​key  stakeholders​ ​can​ ​be​ ​individuals​ ​that​ ​are​ ​positively​ ​or​ ​negatively​ ​impacted​ ​by​ ​the​ ​city  obtaining​ ​this​ ​certification,​ ​or​ ​even​ ​the​ ​individuals​ ​that​ ​perform​ ​the​ ​work​ ​necessary​ ​to​ ​fill​ ​to  achieve​ ​this​ ​certification.     Steven​ ​Wiley​ ​and​ ​Alexa​ ​Naudziunas​ ​-​​ ​​Associate​ ​Planners​ ​for​ ​the​ ​City​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh  Alexa​ ​Naudziunas​ ​and​ ​Steven​ ​Wiley​ ​are​ ​two​ ​city​ ​planners​ ​that​ ​work​ ​for​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of  Oshkosh.​ ​As​ ​planners,​ ​their​ ​input​ ​is​ ​vital​ ​to​ ​the​ ​success​ ​of​ ​our​ ​project​ ​because​ ​they​ ​can  have​ ​an​ ​influential​ ​say​ ​in​ ​what​ ​bicycle​ ​infrastructure​ ​projects​ ​get​ ​completed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​city.  Naudziunas​ ​specifically​ ​has​ ​a​ ​rather​ ​influential​ ​position,​ ​as​ ​she​ ​is​ ​also​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city’s  Bicycle​ ​and​ ​Pedestrian​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee.​ ​While​ ​Wiley​ ​is​ ​not​ ​directly​ ​involved​ ​with​ ​the  committee​ ​that​ ​oversees​ ​bicycle​ ​and​ ​pedestrian​ ​infrastructure​ ​projects,​ ​he​ ​assists​ ​with​ ​the  Sustainability​ ​Advisory​ ​Board,​ ​which​ ​will​ ​play​ ​an​ ​important​ ​role​ ​if​ ​the​ ​city​ ​wishes​ ​to​ ​obtain​ ​a  League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclist​ ​certification.​ ​During​ ​the​ ​interview,​ ​Naudziunas​ ​and​ ​Wiley  primarily​ ​focused​ ​on​ ​a​ ​couple​ ​of​ ​key​ ​issues:​ ​the​ ​importance​ ​of​ ​civic​ ​engagement,​ ​and​ ​the  value​ ​of​ ​sustainable​ ​infrastructure.  ​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​The​ ​most​ ​important​ ​issue​ ​Naudziunas​ ​and​ ​Wiley​ ​discussed​ ​was​ ​the​ ​topic​ ​of​ ​civic  engagement,​ ​and​ ​how​ ​it​ ​relates​ ​to​ ​bicycle​ ​friendly​ ​infrastructure​ ​development.​ ​Often​ ​times,  during​ ​Bicycle​ ​and​ ​Pedestrian​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee​ ​meetings,​ ​Naudziunas​ ​indicated​ ​that  citizens​ ​rarely​ ​attend​ ​or​ ​participate​ ​in​ ​their​ ​discussions.​ ​For​ ​the​ ​committee,​ ​this​ ​can​ ​make​ ​it    6      difficult​ ​to​ ​support​ ​expensive​ ​infrastructure​ ​development​ ​projects​ ​if​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​committee  does​ ​not​ ​agree.​ ​Naudziunas​ ​and​ ​Wiley​ ​suggested​ ​that​ ​while​ ​it​ ​appears​ ​many​ ​citizens​ ​are​ ​in  support​ ​of​ ​expanding​ ​the​ ​bicycle​ ​network​ ​in​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​if​ ​they​ ​are​ ​unwilling​ ​to​ ​voice​ ​their  opinions​ ​at​ ​meetings​ ​or​ ​through​ ​organizations,​ ​any​ ​form​ ​of​ ​opposition​ ​to​ ​expanding​ ​the  network​ ​will​ ​likely​ ​succeed.​ ​Naudziunas​ ​indicated​ ​that​ ​this​ ​is​ ​why​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​the​ ​bicycle  network​ ​is​ ​made​ ​up​ ​of​ ​shared​ ​lanes,​ ​or​ ​“sharrows,”​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​bike​ ​lanes.​ ​Businesses​ ​are  often​ ​against​ ​the​ ​loss​ ​of​ ​motor​ ​vehicle​ ​parking​ ​spots​ ​to​ ​bike​ ​lanes​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​their​ ​buildings,  so​ ​the​ ​committee​ ​frequently​ ​has​ ​to​ ​compromise​ ​and​ ​construct​ ​sharrows​ ​ー​ ​which​ ​do​ ​not  require​ ​as​ ​much​ ​space.​ ​If​ ​citizens​ ​wish​ ​to​ ​see​ ​the​ ​construction​ ​of​ ​more​ ​bicycle​ ​friendly  infrastructure,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​bike​ ​lanes,​ ​they​ ​will​ ​have​ ​to​ ​make​ ​their​ ​opinions​ ​known.   The​ ​second​ ​most​ ​important​ ​thing​ ​Naudziunas​ ​and​ ​Wiley​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​this​ ​project  was​ ​the​ ​value​ ​of​ ​creating​ ​sustainable​ ​infrastructure.​ ​They​ ​both​ ​indicated​ ​that​ ​the​ ​city​ ​has  been​ ​attempting​ ​to​ ​create​ ​several​ ​forms​ ​of​ ​sustainable​ ​infrastructure,​ ​such​ ​as:​ ​permeable  parking​ ​lots,​ ​buildings​ ​constructed​ ​with​ ​LEED​ ​standards,​ ​bioswales,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​expansion​ ​of  the​ ​city’s​ ​bicycle​ ​network.​ ​When​ ​asked​ ​how​ ​they​ ​thought​ ​the​ ​city​ ​compared  sustainability-wise​ ​to​ ​other​ ​cities​ ​in​ ​the​ ​region,​ ​they​ ​felt​ ​that​ ​Oshkosh​ ​is​ ​staying​ ​competitive  with​ ​other​ ​cities​ ​in​ ​the​ ​region,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​Appleton​ ​and​ ​Fond​ ​du​ ​Lac.​ ​Not​ ​only​ ​is​ ​the  construction​ ​of​ ​sustainable​ ​infrastructure​ ​better​ ​for​ ​the​ ​current​ ​residents​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​but​ ​it  can​ ​also​ ​be​ ​used​ ​as​ ​a​ ​marketing​ ​technique​ ​to​ ​entice​ ​potential​ ​residents​ ​to​ ​move​ ​to  Oshkosh.​ ​While​ ​it​ ​may​ ​be​ ​difficult​ ​to​ ​see​ ​the​ ​tangible​ ​financial​ ​benefits​ ​of​ ​constructing  bicycle​ ​infrastructure,​ ​it​ ​can​ ​provide​ ​marketing​ ​opportunities,​ ​increased​ ​traffic​ ​in​ ​business  districts,​ ​and​ ​health​ ​benefits​ ​to​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​community.     Ben​ ​Rennert​​ ​-​ ​​Owner​ ​of​ ​Winnebago​ ​Bicycle,​ ​and​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Bicycle​ ​and​ ​Pedestrian  Committee  ​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​Ben​ ​Rennert​ ​is​ ​the​ ​owner​ ​of​ ​Winnebago​ ​Bicycle,​ ​and​ ​also​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Bike​ ​and  Pedestrian​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee.​ ​As​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​shop​ ​owner,​ ​Rennert​ ​is​ ​very​ ​knowledgeable  about​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​current​ ​bicycle​ ​programs.​ ​Given​ ​his​ ​current​ ​job​ ​and​ ​status​ ​as​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of  the​ ​Bike​ ​and​ ​Pedestrian​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee,​ ​he​ ​will​ ​be​ ​directly​ ​impacted​ ​by​ ​our  certification​ ​proposal.​ ​During​ ​his​ ​interview,​ ​Rennert​ ​agreed​ ​that​ ​having​ ​a​ ​Bike​ ​Friendly  Certification​ ​would​ ​be​ ​very​ ​beneficial​ ​to​ ​the​ ​city;​ ​but,​ ​when​ ​asked​ ​where​ ​he​ ​thought​ ​the​ ​city    7      would​ ​score​ ​for​ ​the​ ​certification,​ ​he​ ​said​ ​that​ ​we​ ​are​ ​not​ ​where​ ​we​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​to​ ​achieve​ ​a  certification.​ ​Rennert​ ​followed​ ​up​ ​by​ ​saying​ ​that​ ​if​ ​Oshkosh​ ​was​ ​going​ ​to​ ​pursue​ ​a​ ​bike  friendly​ ​certification,​ ​filling​ ​out​ ​the​ ​application​ ​and​ ​getting​ ​representatives​ ​from​ ​the​ ​bike  federation​ ​to​ ​come​ ​to​ ​the​ ​city​ ​would​ ​be​ ​motivating​ ​enough​ ​for​ ​the​ ​city​ ​to​ ​continue​ ​pursuing  bicycle​ ​friendly​ ​options.​ ​While​ ​Rennert​ ​does​ ​not​ ​believe​ ​that​ ​Oshkosh’s​ ​current​ ​bicycle  network​ ​would​ ​achieve​ ​a​ ​certification,​ ​he​ ​does​ ​believe​ ​in​ ​the​ ​value​ ​of​ ​the​ ​attempt.​ ​His​ ​role  on​ ​the​ ​Bicycle​ ​and​ ​Pedestrian​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee​ ​gives​ ​him​ ​direct​ ​influence​ ​over​ ​whether  the​ ​city​ ​applies​ ​for​ ​this​ ​certification.   Additionally,​ ​as​ ​a​ ​small​ ​business​ ​owner,​ ​Rennert​ ​agrees​ ​that​ ​having​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​friendly  certification​ ​would​ ​be​ ​beneficial​ ​to​ ​his,​ ​and​ ​other​ ​local​ ​businesses.​ ​Rennert​ ​suggested​ ​that  if​ ​the​ ​city​ ​is​ ​motivated​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​its​ ​bicycle​ ​network​ ​with​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​certification,​ ​the  city​ ​might​ ​attract​ ​more​ ​bike​ ​minded​ ​people​ ​ー​ ​expanding​ ​his​ ​potential​ ​customer​ ​base.  Rennert​ ​also​ ​asserted​ ​that​ ​if​ ​there​ ​is​ ​more​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​infrastructure,​ ​it​ ​could​ ​get​ ​more  people​ ​into​ ​the​ ​downtown​ ​area​ ​that​ ​many​ ​not​ ​have​ ​gone​ ​otherwise​ ​ー​ ​due​ ​to​ ​a​ ​lack​ ​of  motor​ ​vehicle​ ​parking.     Bicycle​ ​and​ ​Pedestrian​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee​ ​-​ ​​Oshkosh,​ ​WI  The​ ​Bike​ ​and​ ​Pedestrian​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee​ ​advises​ ​the​ ​common​ ​council​ ​on  matters​ ​that​ ​concern​ ​cycling​ ​and​ ​pedestrian​ ​activities​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​city.​ ​This​ ​committee  also​ ​focuses​ ​on​ ​policy​ ​and​ ​planning​ ​issues.​ ​They​ ​help​ ​Oshkosh​ ​by​ ​proposing​ ​suggestions​ ​to  improve​ ​the​ ​bike​ ​and​ ​pedestrian​ ​network​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​city.​ ​Their​ ​voice​ ​is​ ​important  because​ ​when​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​matters​ ​concerning​ ​cyclists,​ ​this​ ​committee​ ​is​ ​the​ ​main​ ​conduit  of​ ​communication​ ​for​ ​the​ ​public​ ​to​ ​reach​ ​city​ ​officials.​ ​Members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​committee​ ​showed  support​ ​of​ ​our​ ​proposal,​ ​with​ ​minimal​ ​concerns​ ​about​ ​cost​ ​and​ ​motives​ ​of​ ​achieving  certification.​ ​Overall,​ ​the​ ​Bike​ ​and​ ​Pedestrian​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee​ ​was​ ​glad​ ​to​ ​see​ ​students  getting​ ​involved​ ​with​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​and​ ​was​ ​willing​ ​to​ ​help​ ​in​ ​any​ ​way​ ​possible.​ ​This​ ​committee  would​ ​most​ ​likely​ ​handle​ ​finalizing​ ​the​ ​partial​ ​application​ ​that​ ​we​ ​will​ ​supply​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​and  also​ ​for​ ​renewing​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists​ ​certification​ ​in​ ​the​ ​future.       8      ​ ​Primary​ ​Stakeholders   Below​ ​are​ ​two​ ​of​ ​the​ ​primary​ ​stakeholders​ ​that​ ​were​ ​found​ ​of​ ​importance​ ​to​ ​the​ ​city  obtaining​ ​a​ ​certification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists.​ ​Each​ ​of​ ​these​ ​stakeholders  represents​ ​someone​ ​who​ ​would​ ​be​ ​directly​ ​impacted​ ​by​ ​Oshkosh​ ​obtaining​ ​this  certification.​ ​Each​ ​stakeholder​ ​has​ ​a​ ​different​ ​background,​ ​but​ ​plays​ ​an​ ​important​ ​​ ​role​ ​in  Oshkosh’s​ ​bicycling​ ​community.     Isaiah​ ​Grey​ ​​-​ ​​Founder​ ​of​ ​the​ ​UW-Oshkosh​ ​Cycling​ ​Club  Isiah​ ​Grey​ ​is​ ​an​ ​avid​ ​cyclist,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​founder​ ​of​ ​the​ ​UW-Oshkosh​ ​Bicycle​ ​Club.​ ​He​ ​has  lived​ ​in​ ​Oshkosh​ ​for​ ​5​ ​years,​ ​and​ ​has​ ​spent​ ​significant​ ​time​ ​getting​ ​to​ ​know​ ​Oshkosh’s  bicycle​ ​network.​ ​Grey​ ​is​ ​also​ ​an​ ​active​ ​part​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh’s​ ​bike​ ​community,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​a  frequent​ ​customer​ ​of​ ​Winnebago​ ​Bicycle.​ ​Grey​ ​has​ ​a​ ​unique​ ​and​ ​honest​ ​opinion​ ​of  Oshkosh’s​ ​current​ ​bike​ ​network,​ ​and​ ​was​ ​more​ ​than​ ​willing​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​his​ ​perspective​ ​of  the​ ​functionality​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​bicycle​ ​network.​ ​During​ ​his​ ​interview,​ ​Gray​ ​was​ ​able​ ​to​ ​identify  several​ ​strengths​ ​and​ ​weaknesses​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh’s​ ​bike​ ​network.   Grey​ ​indicated​ ​that​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​strengths​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh’s​ ​bicycle​ ​network​ ​is​ ​the  Wiouwash​ ​trail.​ ​The​ ​trail​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​bicycle​ ​network’s​ ​biggest​ ​attractions​ ​because​ ​it  connects​ ​downtown​ ​Oshkosh​ ​with​ ​other​ ​cities​ ​along​ ​the​ ​trail.​ ​The​ ​UW-Oshkosh​ ​Cycling  Club​ ​frequents​ ​the​ ​Wiouwash​ ​trail​ ​as​ ​one​ ​of​ ​their​ ​favorite​ ​starting​ ​places​ ​to​ ​have​ ​long  distance​ ​rides.​ ​​ ​Grey​ ​also​ ​indicated​ ​that​ ​another​ ​strength​ ​of​ ​the​ ​bicycle​ ​network​ ​is​ ​how​ ​well  the​ ​campus​ ​and​ ​downtown​ ​areas​ ​are​ ​connected​ ​by​ ​the​ ​bike​ ​lanes​ ​on​ ​Algoma​ ​Boulevard,  High​ ​Street,​ ​and​ ​Irving​ ​Avenue.​ ​Grey​ ​also​ ​stated​ ​that​ ​as​ ​a​ ​commuter,​ ​going​ ​to​ ​work​ ​or  school​ ​was​ ​made​ ​much​ ​easier​ ​by​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​bike​ ​infrastructure​ ​throughout​ ​the  city.​ ​Additionally,​ ​he​ ​also​ ​identified​ ​Winnebago​ ​Bicycle​ ​as​ ​the​ ​center​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh’s​ ​cycling  community.​ ​The​ ​bike​ ​shop​ ​has​ ​everything​ ​a​ ​cyclist​ ​could​ ​need​ ​for​ ​advanced​ ​riders​ ​like  Grey,​ ​or​ ​beginners​ ​ー​ ​which​ ​creates​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​for​ ​new​ ​cyclists​ ​to​ ​take​ ​up​ ​the​ ​activity.  Grey​ ​also​ ​identified​ ​some​ ​flaws​ ​with​ ​Oshkosh’s​ ​bicycle​ ​network.      9      Some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​primary​ ​concerns​ ​Grey​ ​identified​ ​with​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​bicycle​ ​network​ ​are​ ​the  poor​ ​conditions​ ​of​ ​the​ ​roads​ ​around​ ​campus,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​long​ ​distance​ ​infrastructure  that​ ​connects​ ​Oshkosh​ ​and​ ​Neenah​ ​along​ ​Highway​ ​A.​ ​Grey​ ​said​ ​that​ ​the​ ​roads​ ​around  campus​ ​have​ ​not​ ​been​ ​properly​ ​maintained,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​did​ ​not​ ​feel​ ​it​ ​is​ ​safe​ ​to​ ​ride​ ​his​ ​bike  under​ ​these​ ​current​ ​conditions.​ ​Often​ ​at​ ​meetings​ ​of​ ​the​ ​cyclists​ ​club,​ ​Grey​ ​also​ ​indicated  that​ ​other​ ​members​ ​have​ ​also​ ​complain​ ​about​ ​the​ ​same​ ​issue​ ​of​ ​poor​ ​road​ ​conditions  surrounding​ ​the​ ​campus.​ ​Additionally,​ ​Grey​ ​feels​ ​there​ ​is​ ​not​ ​enough​ ​bicycle​ ​infrastructure  protecting​ ​cyclists​ ​along​ ​Highway​ ​A.​ ​Grey​ ​indicated​ ​that​ ​because​ ​motorists​ ​are​ ​able​ ​to  travel​ ​at​ ​a​ ​high-rate​ ​of​ ​speed,​ ​the​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​bicycle​ ​infrastructure​ ​makes​ ​it​ ​unsafe​ ​for​ ​bicyclists  to​ ​travel​ ​on​ ​the​ ​road.​ ​To​ ​fix​ ​this​ ​problem,​ ​Grey​ ​suggested​ ​that​ ​the​ ​city​ ​and​ ​county​ ​partner  to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​bicycle​ ​trail​ ​along​ ​Highway​ ​A.​ ​This​ ​would​ ​not​ ​only​ ​provide​ ​bicyclists​ ​with​ ​a​ ​safe  means​ ​of​ ​travel,​ ​but​ ​also​ ​increase​ ​the​ ​potential​ ​of​ ​tourism​ ​revenue​ ​as​ ​the​ ​trail​ ​would​ ​pass  near​ ​Lake​ ​Winnebago​ ​ー​ ​providing​ ​an​ ​excellent​ ​scenic​ ​view.    Mike​ ​Halron​​ ​-​ ​Board​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​​Oshkosh​ ​Cycling​ ​Club  Mike​ ​Halron​ ​was​ ​previously​ ​the​ ​president​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Oshkosh​ ​Cycling​ ​Club,​ ​and​ ​is​ ​now​ ​a  club​ ​board​ ​member.​ ​Halron​ ​has​ ​been​ ​a​ ​longtime​ ​Oshkosh​ ​resident,​ ​and​ ​also​ ​a​ ​passionate  cyclist.​ ​The​ ​Oshkosh​ ​Cycling​ ​Club​ ​is​ ​very​ ​community​ ​oriented,​ ​and​ ​seeks​ ​to​ ​encourage  biking​ ​at​ ​all​ ​ages​ ​and​ ​abilities.​ ​The​ ​club​ ​currently​ ​has​ ​approximately​ ​eighty-five​ ​members,  and​ ​is​ ​always​ ​seeking​ ​to​ ​increase​ ​its​ ​membership.​ ​As​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​clubs​ ​community  engagement​ ​opportunities,​ ​it​ ​offers​ ​a​ ​wide​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​events​ ​for​ ​young​ ​children,​ ​adults,​ ​and  senior​ ​citizens.​ ​These​ ​events​ ​can​ ​range​ ​in​ ​size​ ​from​ ​a​ ​handful​ ​of​ ​people​ ​doing​ ​a​ ​weekly​ ​ride,  to​ ​1,500​ ​people​ ​at​ ​the​ ​annual​ ​bike​ ​swap​ ​event​ ​at​ ​the​ ​fairgrounds.​ ​Overall,​ ​the​ ​club​ ​is​ ​very  safety​ ​conscious.​ ​They​ ​attempt​ ​to​ ​promote​ ​bike​ ​safety​ ​whenever​ ​possible,​ ​and​ ​work​ ​with  the​ ​police​ ​department​ ​to​ ​hold​ ​safety​ ​oriented​ ​events.  Halron​ ​also​ ​expressed​ ​how​ ​he​ ​routinely​ ​interacts​ ​with​ ​cyclists​ ​from​ ​all​ ​over  Oshkosh,​ ​and​ ​travels​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​existing​ ​bike​ ​network​ ​frequently.​ ​By​ ​doing​ ​this,​ ​Halron​ ​is  able​ ​to​ ​frequently​ ​observe​ ​issues​ ​and​ ​potential​ ​improvements​ ​needed​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Oshkosh​ ​bike  network.    10      ​ ​A​ ​major​ ​point​ ​of​ ​emphasis​ ​discussed​ ​by​ ​Halron​ ​was​ ​the​ ​disconnection​ ​of​ ​the  existing​ ​bike​ ​paths​ ​and​ ​trails,​ ​which​ ​he​ ​considers​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​structural​ ​priority​ ​for​ ​the​ ​city.​ ​The  club​ ​has​ ​worked​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Oshkosh​ ​Bike​ ​and​ ​Pedestrian​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee​ ​in​ ​the​ ​past,  and​ ​has​ ​very​ ​good​ ​experiences​ ​working​ ​with​ ​the​ ​city​ ​to​ ​try​ ​and​ ​correct​ ​some​ ​of​ ​these  issues.​ ​Even​ ​though​ ​Halron​ ​believes​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​bicycle​ ​network​ ​needs​ ​work,​ ​he​ ​has​ ​seen  Oshkosh’s​ ​bikeability​ ​improve​ ​markedly​ ​over​ ​the​ ​years.​ ​By​ ​fostering​ ​educated  conversations​ ​and​ ​creating​ ​productive​ ​compromises,​ ​Halron​ ​believes​ ​Oshkosh​ ​has​ ​the  potential​ ​to​ ​become​ ​both​ ​a​ ​sustainable​ ​and​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​city.    Secondary​ ​Stakeholders  Below​ ​are​ ​secondary​ ​stakeholders​ ​that​ ​are​ ​important​ ​to​ ​making​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh  become​ ​bicycle​ ​friendly.​ ​Each​ ​of​ ​these​ ​stakeholders​ ​are​ ​indirectly​ ​impacted​ ​by​ ​the​ ​city’s  choice​ ​to​ ​pursue,​ ​or​ ​not​ ​pursue​ ​a​ ​certification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists.  Members​ ​of​ ​this​ ​stakeholder​ ​group​ ​include​ ​local​ ​residents,​ ​community​ ​members,​ ​and  anyone​ ​else​ ​indirectly​ ​impacted​ ​by​ ​this​ ​certification.​ ​All​ ​these​ ​forces​ ​are​ ​important​ ​to​ ​listen  to​ ​since​ ​they​ ​represent​ ​the​ ​citizens​ ​who​ ​use​ ​or​ ​interact​ ​with​ ​the​ ​biking​ ​infrastructure  throughout​ ​the​ ​city.     M.​ ​Elsbeth​ ​“Misty”​ ​McPhee​ ​​-​ ​​UW-Oshkosh​ ​Professor,​ ​and​ ​avid​ ​bicyclist   McPhee​ ​is​ ​a​ ​citizen​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh,​ ​and​ ​is​ ​an​ ​important​ ​community​ ​member​ ​because  she​ ​represents​ ​the​ ​embodiment​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Oshkosh​ ​cycling​ ​community.​ ​McPhee​ ​prefers​ ​to​ ​use  her​ ​bike​ ​as​ ​her​ ​main​ ​mode​ ​of​ ​transportation​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​as​ ​she​ ​uses​ ​her​ ​bike  almost​ ​everyday​ ​to​ ​get​ ​to​ ​work,​ ​to​ ​the​ ​store,​ ​and​ ​home.​ ​McPhee​ ​prefers​ ​this​ ​mode​ ​of  transportation​ ​because​ ​of​ ​the​ ​health​ ​benefits​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​biking,​ ​the​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​fossil​ ​fuel  use,​ ​and​ ​she​ ​states:​ ​“it​ ​is​ ​a​ ​quicker​ ​way​ ​to​ ​get​ ​to​ ​point​ ​A​ ​to​ ​point​ ​B.”​ ​Because​ ​McPhee​ ​does  bike​ ​almost​ ​everyday​ ​of​ ​the​ ​year,​ ​she​ ​does​ ​state​ ​there​ ​are​ ​some​ ​issues​ ​she​ ​experiences​ ​as  a​ ​bicyclist​ ​in​ ​Oshkosh.     11      McPhee​ ​states​ ​that​ ​Infrastructure​ ​is​ ​an​ ​important​ ​topic​ ​to​ ​her,​ ​as​ ​biking​ ​is​ ​her  primary​ ​mode​ ​of​ ​transportation​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​city.​ ​McPhee​ ​indicates​ ​that​ ​some​ ​of​ ​these  infrastructure​ ​problems​ ​include:​ ​bike​ ​lanes​ ​randomly​ ​ending,​ ​a​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​parking​ ​stations,​ ​and  a​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​snow​ ​removal​ ​to​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​bicycle​ ​infrastructure​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​winter​ ​months.  McPhee​ ​plans​ ​to​ ​continue​ ​to​ ​be​ ​resident​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh,​ ​as​ ​she​ ​is​ ​in​ ​the​ ​process​ ​of​ ​building​ ​a  house​ ​in​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​and​ ​would​ ​greatly​ ​appreciate​ ​the​ ​city​ ​continuing​ ​to​ ​invest​ ​in​ ​its​ ​bicycle  infrastructure.​ ​As​ ​an​ ​educator​ ​at​ ​the​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Wisconsin-Oshkosh,​ ​McPhee​ ​has  continued​ ​to​ ​promote​ ​the​ ​importance​ ​of​ ​biking​ ​as​ ​a​ ​sustainable​ ​form​ ​of​ ​transportation​ ​in  her​ ​classes.​ ​Additionally,​ ​McPhee​ ​can​ ​be​ ​viewed​ ​as​ ​a​ ​valuable​ ​contact​ ​between​ ​the​ ​city​ ​and  students​ ​for​ ​the​ ​continued​ ​development​ ​of​ ​bicycle​ ​infrastructure​ ​development​ ​throughout  the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh.    Community​ ​Survey  With​ ​the​ ​help​ ​of​ ​city​ ​officials,​ ​we​ ​were​ ​able​ ​to​ ​distribute​ ​this​ ​survey​ ​to​ ​members​ ​of  the​ ​community,​ ​and​ ​students​ ​at​ ​UW-Oshkosh​ ​using​ ​Google​ ​surveys.​ ​The​ ​survey​ ​provides  input​ ​from​ ​a​ ​wide-range​ ​of​ ​citizens,​ ​and​ ​because​ ​it​ ​is​ ​anonymous,​ ​every​ ​participant’s  response​ ​is​ ​equally​ ​weighted.​ ​Additionally,​ ​this​ ​method​ ​allows​ ​us​ ​to​ ​reach​ ​a​ ​large​ ​audience  within​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​and​ ​may​ ​help​ ​increase​ ​awareness​ ​about​ ​making​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh​ ​bicycle  friendly.​ ​The​ ​limitations​ ​of​ ​this​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​survey,​ ​though,​ ​is​ ​only​ ​people​ ​that​ ​are​ ​interested​ ​in  the​ ​topic​ ​will​ ​participate​ ​—​ ​leaving​ ​out​ ​the​ ​perspective​ ​of​ ​a​ ​large​ ​portion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​community.   Of​ ​the​ ​approximately​ ​90​ ​responses​ ​gathered​ ​from​ ​the​ ​survey,​ ​roughly​ ​forty-seven  percent​ ​of​ ​respondents​ ​viewed​ ​safety​ ​as​ ​the​ ​biggest​ ​weakness​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​bicycle​ ​network.  Part​ ​of​ ​this​ ​overall​ ​lack​ ​in​ ​safety​ ​could​ ​be​ ​in​ ​response​ ​to​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​current​ ​tactic​ ​of  constructing​ ​share​ ​lanes,​ ​or​ ​​ ​“sharrows,”​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​bike​ ​lanes.​ ​Bike​ ​lanes​ ​offer​ ​riders​ ​a  sense​ ​of​ ​safety​ ​by​ ​providing​ ​them​ ​a​ ​dedicated​ ​space​ ​to​ ​ride​ ​free​ ​of​ ​motor​ ​vehicle​ ​traffic.  Even​ ​though​ ​they​ ​are​ ​just​ ​lines​ ​of​ ​paint​ ​on​ ​the​ ​road,​ ​98.8​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​respondents​ ​indicated  they​ ​would​ ​rather​ ​ride​ ​their​ ​bicycle​ ​in​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​lane,​ ​or​ ​on​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​path,​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​using​ ​a  sharrow.​ ​The​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​interest​ ​in​ ​sharrows​ ​may​ ​also​ ​be​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​the​ ​overall​ ​lack​ ​of  education​ ​dedicated​ ​to​ ​teaching​ ​motorists​ ​about​ ​sharing​ ​the​ ​road​ ​with​ ​bicyclists.    12      Additionally,​ ​several​ ​respondents​ ​have​ ​indicated​ ​that​ ​motorists​ ​do​ ​not​ ​pay​ ​attention  to​ ​bicyclists​ ​while​ ​on​ ​the​ ​road,​ ​or​ ​provide​ ​them​ ​the​ ​necessary​ ​space​ ​to​ ​feel​ ​comfortable.  One​ ​of​ ​the​ ​easiest​ ​things​ ​that​ ​the​ ​city​ ​can​ ​do​ ​to​ ​help​ ​raise​ ​awareness​ ​for​ ​bicyclists​ ​is​ ​to  increase​ ​the​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​signage​ ​along​ ​roadways​ ​stating​ ​that​ ​bicyclists​ ​have​ ​the​ ​right​ ​to​ ​take  up​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​lane​ ​of​ ​traffic.​ ​Along​ ​with​ ​increased​ ​signage,​ ​other​ ​educational​ ​factors​ ​such​ ​as  newsletters​ ​or​ ​website​ ​content​ ​can​ ​be​ ​added​ ​to​ ​help​ ​increase​ ​awareness​ ​for​ ​bicyclists.​ ​All  of​ ​these​ ​factors​ ​can​ ​help​ ​increase​ ​overall​ ​awareness​ ​and​ ​safety​ ​for​ ​bicyclists​ ​in​ ​Oshkosh.    Expert​ ​Stakeholders  Expert​ ​stakeholders​ ​are​ ​a​ ​vital​ ​component​ ​to​ ​any​ ​policy,​ ​ordinance,​ ​or​ ​certification  being​ ​passed.​ ​Even​ ​though​ ​an​ ​expert​ ​stakeholder​ ​may​ ​not​ ​be​ ​financially​ ​or​ ​emotionally  invested​ ​in​ ​this​ ​particular​ ​issue​ ​at​ ​hand,​ ​they​ ​can​ ​provide​ ​the​ ​city​ ​with​ ​a​ ​plethora​ ​of  knowledge​ ​to​ ​help​ ​them​ ​achieve​ ​their​ ​goal.​ ​Expert​ ​Stakeholders​ ​knowledge​ ​comes​ ​from  personal​ ​experiences​ ​that​ ​can​ ​be​ ​used​ ​to​ ​inform​ ​and​ ​shape​ ​the​ ​current​ ​discussion​ ​of  helping​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh​ ​become​ ​certified​ ​by​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists.     Paula​ ​Vandehey​ ​and​ ​Dean​ ​Gazza​ ​-​ ​​Director​ ​of​ ​Public​ ​Works​ ​and​ ​Director​ ​of​ ​Parks,  Recreation,​ ​and​ ​Facilities​ ​for​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Appleton,​ ​Wisconsin  Paula​ ​Vandehey​ ​is​ ​the​ ​director​ ​of​ ​Public​ ​Works​ ​for​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Appleton,​ ​and​ ​handles  bike​ ​lane​ ​and​ ​traffic​ ​infrastructure​ ​development​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​city.​ ​Dean​ ​Gazza​ ​also  works​ ​for​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Appleton,​ ​and​ ​is​ ​the​ ​director​ ​of​ ​Parks,​ ​Recreation,​ ​and​ ​Facilities.​ ​Gazza  is​ ​in​ ​charge​ ​of​ ​bike​ ​and​ ​pedestrian​ ​pathway​ ​development.​ ​Vandehey​ ​and​ ​Gazza​ ​indicated  that​ ​local​ ​community​ ​members​ ​and​ ​different​ ​departments​ ​from​ ​within​ ​the​ ​city​ ​initially  showed​ ​interest​ ​in​ ​obtaining​ ​certification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists.​ ​It​ ​was  then​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​fill​ ​out​ ​the​ ​application​ ​in​ ​an​ ​attempt​ ​to​ ​work​ ​towards​ ​a​ ​more​ ​bike​ ​friendly  city.       13      Vandehey​ ​and​ ​Gazza​ ​jointly​ ​worked​ ​on​ ​filling​ ​out​ ​the​ ​application​ ​for​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of  American​ ​Bicyclists,​ ​and​ ​were​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​the​ ​city​ ​receiving​ ​bronze​ ​certification​ ​in​ ​2013,  and​ ​silver​ ​certification​ ​in​ ​2017.​ ​While​ ​submitting​ ​their​ ​first​ ​application​ ​in​ ​2013,​ ​Vandehey  and​ ​the​ ​former​ ​director​ ​of​ ​Public​ ​Works​ ​worked​ ​to​ ​gather​ ​the​ ​necessary​ ​information​ ​for  the​ ​application​ ​over​ ​a​ ​few​ ​months.​ ​For​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​second​ ​application​ ​in​ ​2017,​ ​Gazza​ ​and  Vandehey​ ​took​ ​charge​ ​of​ ​the​ ​application​ ​process,​ ​but​ ​also​ ​brought​ ​in​ ​help​ ​from​ ​other​ ​city  workers​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​the​ ​application.​ ​Over​ ​a​ ​six​ ​month​ ​time​ ​period,​ ​Gazza,​ ​Vandehey,​ ​and  their​ ​team​ ​worked​ ​a​ ​few​ ​hours​ ​each​ ​month​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​the​ ​application.​ ​Vandehey​ ​and  Gazza​ ​both​ ​agreed​ ​that​ ​they​ ​completed​ ​the​ ​application​ ​for​ ​the​ ​citizens​ ​of​ ​Appleton,​ ​and​ ​not  for​ ​a​ ​fancy​ ​membership​ ​or​ ​award.​ ​Their​ ​experience​ ​and​ ​expertise​ ​would​ ​be​ ​very​ ​beneficial  to​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh​ ​because​ ​each​ ​city​ ​has​ ​a​ ​similar​ ​population,​ ​a​ ​river​ ​flows​ ​through  each​ ​city,​ ​and​ ​each​ ​city​ ​is​ ​home​ ​to​ ​a​ ​few​ ​different​ ​universities.​ ​This​ ​gives​ ​Oshkosh​ ​a​ ​model  to​ ​look​ ​to,​ ​and​ ​support​ ​if​ ​needed​ ​for​ ​the​ ​application​ ​process.    Patrick​ ​Ivory​ ​-​ ​​Eau​ ​Claire​ ​Senior​ ​City​ ​Planner  Patrick​ ​Ivory​ ​is​ ​the​ ​senior​ ​city​ ​planner​ ​in​ ​Eau​ ​Claire.​ ​​ ​Ivory​ ​was​ ​chosen​ ​as​ ​an​ ​expert  stakeholder​ ​because​ ​he​ ​has​ ​gone​ ​through​ ​the​ ​process​ ​of​ ​becoming​ ​bronze​ ​certified​ ​in  2010.​ ​​ ​Oshkosh​ ​and​ ​Eau​ ​Claire​ ​are​ ​similar​ ​in​ ​many​ ​ways​ ​such​ ​as​ ​population​ ​size,​ ​and  geographic​ ​features.​ ​​ ​His​ ​expertise​ ​is​ ​valuable​ ​not​ ​only​ ​to​ ​get​ ​details​ ​on​ ​the​ ​application  process,​ ​but​ ​also​ ​to​ ​follow​ ​in​ ​Eau​ ​Claire’s​ ​footsteps​ ​of​ ​getting​ ​their​ ​certification.​ ​​ ​Ivory​ ​has  years​ ​of​ ​experience​ ​in​ ​city​ ​planning,​ ​and​ ​vested​ ​interest​ ​in​ ​cycling.​ ​​ ​Ivory​ ​has​ ​spent​ ​years​ ​of  his​ ​career​ ​developing​ ​Eau​ ​Claire’s​ ​bike​ ​network,​ ​and​ ​working​ ​to​ ​get​ ​a​ ​silver​ ​certification​ ​ー  which​ ​is​ ​the​ ​next​ ​highest​ ​rank.​ ​​ ​Ivory​ ​said​ ​that​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists​ ​has​ ​helped  the​ ​city​ ​lay​ ​out​ ​“Key​ ​Steps​ ​to​ ​Silver,”​ ​which​ ​he​ ​has​ ​been​ ​following​ ​to​ ​hopefully​ ​achieve​ ​silver  certification.​ ​Ivory’s​ ​experience​ ​both​ ​in​ ​getting​ ​Eau​ ​Claire’s​ ​bike​ ​network​ ​certified,​ ​and  working​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​the​ ​overall​ ​quality​ ​of​ ​their​ ​bicycle​ ​network,​ ​make​ ​him​ ​a​ ​valuable​ ​expert  stakeholder​ ​in​ ​this​ ​project.        14        Ivory​ ​believes​ ​that​ ​Eau​ ​Claire’s​ ​bike​ ​network’s​ ​success​ ​is​ ​due​ ​to​ ​an​ ​increasing  number​ ​of​ ​people​ ​accessing​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​bike​ ​infrastructure.​ ​Additionally,​ ​the​ ​city​ ​offers​ ​two  off-road​ ​trails​ ​that​ ​are​ ​open​ ​which​ ​include​ ​the​ ​Eau​ ​Claire​ ​City​ ​Trail,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Chippewa​ ​River  Trail.​ ​These​ ​two​ ​trails​ ​combine​ ​to​ ​see​ ​100,000​ ​cyclists​ ​annually.​ ​Currently,​ ​another​ ​off-road  trail​ ​is​ ​set​ ​to​ ​open​ ​next​ ​year.​ ​To​ ​further​ ​improve​ ​the​ ​success​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​bicycle​ ​network,  Eau​ ​Claire​ ​aims​ ​to​ ​adopt​ ​a​ ​“complete​ ​streets”​ ​policy​ ​that​ ​will​ ​ensure​ ​all​ ​future​ ​vehicular  infrastructure​ ​in​ ​the​ ​city​ ​is​ ​built​ ​with​ ​bicyclists’​ ​needs​ ​in​ ​mind.​ ​​ ​The​ ​city​ ​also​ ​aims​ ​to​ ​hire​ ​a  full-time​ ​bike​ ​instructor​ ​that​ ​will​ ​show​ ​citizens​ ​how​ ​to​ ​safely​ ​navigate​ ​Eau​ ​Claire’s​ ​bicycle  network.​ ​By​ ​creating​ ​a​ ​complete​ ​streets​ ​policy​ ​and​ ​hiring​ ​a​ ​full-time​ ​bike​ ​instructor,​ ​Eau  Claire​ ​hopes​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​the​ ​necessary​ ​requirements​ ​of​ ​achieving​ ​silver​ ​certification.     Greg​ ​Batten​ ​-​ ​​Outdoor​ ​Adventure​ ​Center​ ​Assistant​ ​Director,​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Wisconsin-Oshkosh    ​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​Greg​ ​Batten​ ​is​ ​the​ ​assistant​ ​director​ ​of​ ​Outdoor​ ​Adventure,​ ​at​ ​the​ ​University​ ​of  Wisconsin-Oshkosh.​ ​He​ ​can​ ​be​ ​considered​ ​an​ ​expert​ ​stakeholder​ ​for​ ​a​ ​number​ ​of​ ​reasons.  Batten​ ​has​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​experience​ ​working​ ​directly​ ​with​ ​students​ ​in​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​make​ ​the  university​ ​significantly​ ​more​ ​bike​ ​friendly;​ ​therefore,​ ​he​ ​has​ ​the​ ​expertise​ ​to​ ​inform​ ​and  shape​ ​discussions​ ​that​ ​involve​ ​any​ ​additions​ ​to​ ​bike​ ​culture​ ​that​ ​may​ ​occur​ ​in​ ​the​ ​city.​ ​​ ​In  the​ ​case​ ​of​ ​attempting​ ​to​ ​obtain​ ​certification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists,​ ​Batton  was​ ​able​ ​to​ ​inform​ ​us​ ​on​ ​topics​ ​of:​ ​how​ ​to​ ​cut​ ​through​ ​red​ ​tape​ ​when​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​make  improvements​ ​to​ ​bike​ ​infrastructure,​ ​and​ ​how​ ​to​ ​convince​ ​key​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Bike​ ​and  Pedestrian​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee​ ​the​ ​benefits​ ​of​ ​adding​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​certification.​ ​Batten’s  perspective​ ​has​ ​helped​ ​our​ ​group​ ​inform​ ​the​ ​city​ ​why​ ​paying​ ​$150​ ​a​ ​year​ ​to​ ​have​ ​this  certification​ ​not​ ​only​ ​makes​ ​the​ ​city​ ​look​ ​good​ ​from​ ​a​ ​marketing​ ​perspective,​ ​but​ ​also​ ​helps  make​ ​Oshkosh​ ​bike​ ​friendly.   Another​ ​reason​ ​we​ ​have​ ​identified​ ​Batten​ ​as​ ​an​ ​expert​ ​is​ ​because​ ​he​ ​is​ ​an  outspoken​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Oshkosh​ ​biking​ ​community.​ ​For​ ​example,​ ​when​ ​asked​ ​what​ ​we  should​ ​do​ ​if​ ​our​ ​group​ ​could​ ​not​ ​convince​ ​the​ ​city​ ​to​ ​come​ ​up​ ​with​ ​the​ ​$150​ ​per​ ​year​ ​to  keep​ ​the​ ​certification​ ​going,​ ​Batten​ ​stated:​ ​“[h]eck​ ​the​ ​[Student​ ​Recreation​ ​Center]​ ​might​ ​be  able​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​for​ ​it,​ ​or​ ​I​ ​could​ ​coordinate​ ​a​ ​fundraiser​ ​with​ ​Ben​ ​Rennert​ ​over​ ​at​ ​Winnebago    15      Bicycle”​ ​to​ ​come​ ​up​ ​with​ ​the​ ​necessary​ ​funds.​ ​Even​ ​if​ ​the​ ​city​ ​is​ ​not​ ​able​ ​to​ ​afford​ ​the  necessary​ ​payments​ ​for​ ​the​ ​American​ ​League​ ​of​ ​Bicyclist​ ​certification,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​citizens​ ​like  Batten​ ​that​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​use​ ​their​ ​expertise​ ​and​ ​position​ ​within​ ​the​ ​community​ ​to​ ​help  advance​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh​ ​towards​ ​becoming​ ​bicycle​ ​friendly.​ ​While​ ​it​ ​will​ ​not​ ​likely​ ​be  necessary,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​great​ ​that​ ​community​ ​members​ ​like​ ​Batten​ ​are​ ​willing​ ​to​ ​help​ ​allocate​ ​the  funds​ ​necessary​ ​for​ ​this​ ​certification​ ​if​ ​the​ ​city​ ​is​ ​not​ ​able​ ​to​ ​afford​ ​it.    Lora​ ​Glasel​ ​-​​ ​Owner​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Recyclist​ ​bike​ ​shop   Lora​ ​Glasel​ ​is​ ​a​ ​passionate​ ​cyclist,​ ​and​ ​an​ ​owner​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Recyclist​ ​bike​ ​shop​ ​with  locations​ ​in​ ​Appleton,​ ​and​ ​Kaukauna​ ​Wisconsin.​ ​Appleton​ ​currently​ ​has​ ​a​ ​silver​ ​level  certification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists​ ​and​ ​Kaukauna​ ​has​ ​no​ ​certification;  thus,​ ​Glasel​ ​has​ ​experience​ ​in​ ​a​ ​city​ ​that​ ​is​ ​very​ ​bikeminded​ ​(Appleton),​ ​and​ ​a​ ​city​ ​that​ ​is  much​ ​less​ ​so​ ​(Kaukauna).​ ​In​ ​both​ ​cases,​ ​Glasel’s​ ​goals​ ​include​ ​getting​ ​customers​ ​on​ ​the  best​ ​bike​ ​for​ ​them,​ ​promoting​ ​bike​ ​safety,​ ​and​ ​expanding​ ​bike​ ​culture​ ​throughout​ ​Appleton  by​ ​frequently​ ​working​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Wisconsin​ ​Bike​ ​Federation​ ​to​ ​hold​ ​events.​ ​Despite​ ​these  events,​ ​and​ ​many​ ​more​ ​not​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Recyclist,​ ​Glasel​ ​does​ ​not​ ​believe​ ​that​ ​many  Appleton​ ​citizens​ ​are​ ​aware​ ​of​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists​ ​presence​ ​in​ ​the​ ​city.   Additionally,​ ​Glasel’s​ ​perspective​ ​is​ ​unique​ ​because​ ​she​ ​has​ ​had​ ​experience​ ​with  citizens​ ​who​ ​are​ ​both​ ​for​ ​and​ ​against​ ​cycling.​ ​Glasel​ ​herself​ ​is​ ​very​ ​pro-cycling,​ ​and​ ​from  her​ ​experiences,​ ​has​ ​seen​ ​that​ ​cycling​ ​can​ ​be​ ​very​ ​beneficial​ ​for​ ​specific​ ​individuals​ ​and  whole​ ​communities.​ ​In​ ​her​ ​own​ ​cycling​ ​experiences,​ ​Glasel​ ​has​ ​also​ ​encountered​ ​citizens  that​ ​are​ ​very​ ​much​ ​against​ ​cyclists​ ​—​ ​especially​ ​from​ ​a​ ​motorist’s​ ​perspective.​ ​To​ ​bridge  these​ ​differences​ ​between​ ​citizens,​ ​Glasel​ ​suggests​ ​that​ ​advocacy​ ​and​ ​education​ ​be  incorporated​ ​into​ ​any​ ​changes​ ​in​ ​Oshkosh’s​ ​bike​ ​network.​ ​Glasel​ ​believes​ ​that​ ​making​ ​sure  both​ ​drivers​ ​and​ ​cyclists​ ​are​ ​educated​ ​on​ ​the​ ​rules​ ​of​ ​the​ ​road,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​rights​ ​of​ ​cyclists​ ​is​ ​a  key​ ​part​ ​of​ ​a​ ​successful​ ​cycling​ ​community.​ ​Also,​ ​through​ ​the​ ​use​ ​of​ ​advertisement​ ​and  providing​ ​information​ ​about​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists,​ ​the​ ​city​ ​could​ ​increase  engagement​ ​with​ ​citizens​ ​if​ ​Oshkosh​ ​were​ ​to​ ​receive​ ​a​ ​certification.       16      Benchmark​ ​Cities  Below​ ​is​ ​a​ ​list​ ​of​ ​cities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​in​ ​one,​ ​or​ ​multiple​ ​ways,​ ​comparable​ ​to​ ​Oshkosh,  Wisconsin.​ ​Each​ ​city​ ​has​ ​had​ ​experience​ ​with​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists,​ ​or​ ​have  simply​ ​worked​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​their​ ​community​ ​through​ ​biking.​ ​Several​ ​of​ ​the​ ​experiences  these​ ​cities​ ​have​ ​encountered​ ​can​ ​be​ ​applied​ ​to​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh,​ ​and​ ​help​ ​create​ ​a  more​ ​efficient​ ​bicycle​ ​network​ ​and​ ​community.     Appleton,​ ​Wisconsin  Appleton,​ ​Wisconsin​ ​is​ ​a​ ​prime​ ​example​ ​for​ ​Oshkosh​ ​to​ ​look​ ​at​ ​while​ ​attempting​ ​to  obtain​ ​a​ ​bicycle​ ​friendly​ ​certification.​ ​Appleton​ ​is​ ​comparable​ ​to​ ​Oshkosh​ ​in​ ​many​ ​ways,​ ​as  it​ ​is​ ​of​ ​similar​ ​size,​ ​divided​ ​by​ ​a​ ​river,​ ​surrounded​ ​by​ ​smaller​ ​communities​ ​and​ ​towns,​ ​and  has​ ​similar​ ​geographic​ ​features.​ ​Examining​ ​the​ ​experience​ ​that​ ​Appleton​ ​went​ ​through  during​ ​its​ ​application​ ​process​ ​will​ ​be​ ​helpful​ ​if​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh​ ​encounters​ ​similar  obstacles​ ​while​ ​applying​ ​for​ ​this​ ​certification.   City​ ​officials​ ​in​ ​Appleton​ ​have​ ​always​ ​listened​ ​to​ ​the​ ​community,​ ​and​ ​done​ ​their​ ​best  to​ ​serve​ ​the​ ​citizens.​ ​In​ ​2013,​ ​community​ ​members,​ ​and​ ​individuals​ ​working​ ​for​ ​the​ ​city,  voiced​ ​their​ ​interest​ ​in​ ​applying​ ​for​ ​a​ ​certification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists.  Paula​ ​Vandehey​ ​started​ ​the​ ​process​ ​of​ ​filling​ ​out​ ​the​ ​application​ ​for​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​while​ ​leaning  on​ ​different​ ​city​ ​departments​ ​to​ ​help​ ​answer​ ​questions.​ ​Over​ ​a​ ​few​ ​months,​ ​Vandehey  completed​ ​the​ ​application​ ​and​ ​the​ ​fee​ ​was​ ​adopted​ ​into​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​budget.​ ​Appleton​ ​was  awarded​ ​a​ ​bronze​ ​certification​ ​that​ ​year,​ ​and​ ​was​ ​provided​ ​suggestions​ ​from​ ​the​ ​league​ ​for  further​ ​improvements​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​obtain​ ​silver​ ​certification.​ ​After​ ​the​ ​three​ ​years​ ​were​ ​up  —​ ​and​ ​the​ ​city​ ​needed​ ​to​ ​re-apply​ ​—​ ​multiple​ ​members​ ​of​ ​city​ ​staff,​ ​including​ ​Vandehey  and​ ​Gazza,​ ​worked​ ​together​ ​to​ ​fill​ ​out​ ​the​ ​application.​ ​They​ ​met​ ​every​ ​few​ ​weeks​ ​over​ ​6  months,​ ​and​ ​received​ ​silver​ ​level​ ​status​ ​in​ ​the​ ​spring​ ​of​ ​2017.​ ​Both​ ​Vandehey​ ​and​ ​Gazza  state​ ​that​ ​there​ ​is​ ​much​ ​more​ ​work​ ​to​ ​be​ ​done​ ​outlined​ ​in​ ​their​ ​5-year​ ​bike​ ​lane/path​ ​plan.  Included​ ​in​ ​the​ ​appendix​ ​are​ ​examples​ ​of​ ​feedback​ ​Appleton​ ​has​ ​received​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League  of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists.    17        Eau​ ​Claire,​ ​Wisconsin  Eau​ ​Claire​ ​is​ ​a​ ​great​ ​example​ ​of​ ​how​ ​a​ ​city​ ​in​ ​Wisconsin​ ​can​ ​achieve​ ​certification  from​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists.​ ​In​ ​2010,​ ​senior​ ​city​ ​planner​ ​Patrick​ ​Ivory​ ​prepared  the​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​community​ ​application,​ ​and​ ​Eau​ ​Claire​ ​was​ ​able​ ​to​ ​achieve​ ​bronze  certification.​ ​Today,​ ​the​ ​city​ ​is​ ​currently​ ​working​ ​towards​ ​silver​ ​certification.​ ​Eau​ ​Claire​ ​has  been​ ​able​ ​to​ ​become​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​by​ ​developing​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​infrastructure,​ ​and​ ​engaging  in​ ​community​ ​events​ ​that​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​cycling.​ ​A​ ​copy​ ​of​ ​the​ ​scorecard​ ​given​ ​to​ ​Eau​ ​Claire​ ​is  included​ ​in​ ​the​ ​appendix​ ​at​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​this​ ​report.​ ​City​ ​planners​ ​in​ ​Eau​ ​Claire​ ​have​ ​a​ ​vested  interest​ ​in​ ​cycling,​ ​and​ ​demonstrate​ ​this​ ​by​ ​pushing​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​further​ ​development​ ​of​ ​the  city’s​ ​bike​ ​network.​ ​The​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Eau​ ​Claire​ ​has​ ​also​ ​developed​ ​a​ ​recreational​ ​bike​ ​network​ ​by  opening​ ​new​ ​trails​ ​and​ ​connecting​ ​them​ ​across​ ​the​ ​city​ ​—​ ​making​ ​Eau​ ​Claire​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​tourism  destination.​ ​Ivory​ ​also​ ​noted​ ​that​ ​as​ ​more​ ​bike​ ​infrastructure​ ​is​ ​developed,​ ​the​ ​more  people​ ​were​ ​recorded​ ​using​ ​it​ ​—​ ​indicating​ ​that​ ​people​ ​will​ ​begin​ ​to​ ​use​ ​bike​ ​infrastructure  if​ ​it​ ​is​ ​built.​ ​The​ ​main​ ​challenges​ ​surrounding​ ​Eau​ ​Claire’s​ ​bike​ ​network​ ​development​ ​are  centered​ ​around​ ​adapting​ ​new​ ​policies​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​cyclist​ ​safety,​ ​and​ ​educating​ ​the​ ​public.   Eau​ ​Claire​ ​and​ ​Oshkosh​ ​are​ ​similar​ ​cities​ ​for​ ​several​ ​reasons.​ ​Oshkosh​ ​and​ ​Eau  Claire​ ​have​ ​similar​ ​population​ ​sizes,​ ​with​ ​66,083​ ​for​ ​Oshkosh,​ ​and​ ​65,883​ ​for​ ​Eau​ ​Claire,  respectively.​ ​Both​ ​cities​ ​have​ ​similar​ ​geographic​ ​features​ ​in​ ​that​ ​a​ ​river​ ​runs​ ​between​ ​both  cities.​ ​This​ ​means​ ​that​ ​Oshkosh​ ​and​ ​Eau​ ​Claire​ ​have​ ​similar​ ​challenges​ ​they​ ​face​ ​in  developing​ ​their​ ​bike​ ​network​ ​around​ ​a​ ​river.​ ​Examples​ ​of​ ​Eau​ ​Claire’s​ ​success​ ​that  Oshkosh​ ​should​ ​follow​ ​are:​ ​a​ ​safe​ ​routes​ ​to​ ​schools​ ​program,​ ​complete​ ​streets​ ​policy,  hiring​ ​a​ ​full​ ​time​ ​bike​ ​instructor,​ ​and​ ​opening​ ​more​ ​off-road​ ​trails.​ ​These​ ​off-road​ ​trails​ ​in  Eau​ ​Claire​ ​see​ ​approximately​ ​100,000​ ​people​ ​annually,​ ​which​ ​indicates​ ​what​ ​an​ ​asset​ ​to​ ​the  local​ ​economy​ ​off-road​ ​bike​ ​trails​ ​can​ ​be.​ ​While​ ​it​ ​is​ ​difficult​ ​to​ ​gage​ ​the​ ​exact​ ​economic  impact​ ​becoming​ ​more​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​can​ ​yield,​ ​the​ ​popularity​ ​of​ ​Eau​ ​Claire’s​ ​bike​ ​trails  cannot​ ​be​ ​ignored.         18      Boulder,​ ​Colorado   In​ ​the​ ​last​ ​20​ ​years,​ ​Boulder​ ​has​ ​made​ ​dramatic​ ​improvements​ ​to​ ​their  transportation​ ​network.​ ​A​ ​significant​ ​improvement​ ​was​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​bicycle  infrastructure​ ​that​ ​has​ ​formed​ ​a​ ​“network​ ​of​ ​bicycle​ ​lanes,​ ​cycle-tracks,​ ​and​ ​on-street  bicycle​ ​routes”​ ​(Henao​ ​et.​ ​al.​ ​65).​ ​This​ ​has​ ​allowed​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Boulder​ ​to​ ​become​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the  most​ ​bicycle​ ​friendly​ ​cities​ ​in​ ​the​ ​United​ ​States.​ ​Currently,​ ​Boulder​ ​holds​ ​a​ ​platinum  certification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists,​ ​and​ ​was​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​first​ ​cities​ ​to  achieve​ ​such​ ​certification​ ​(Henao​ ​et.​ ​al.​ ​65).​ ​Boulder​ ​has​ ​been​ ​able​ ​to​ ​achieve​ ​these  accreditations​ ​with​ ​the​ ​support​ ​of​ ​their​ ​local​ ​community​ ​and​ ​government.​ ​Boulder​ ​has  been​ ​able​ ​to​ ​achieve​ ​a​ ​diverse​ ​transportation​ ​network​ ​because​ ​of​ ​the​ ​high​ ​level​ ​of​ ​citizen  participation​ ​in​ ​the​ ​policy​ ​making​ ​process.​ ​With​ ​the​ ​adoption​ ​of​ ​a​ ​sales​ ​tax​ ​to​ ​support​ ​the  development​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​transportation​ ​infrastructure​ ​in​ ​1967,​ ​the​ ​city​ ​and​ ​residents​ ​have  continually​ ​pursued​ ​the​ ​implementation​ ​of​ ​additional​ ​policies​ ​and​ ​committees​ ​to​ ​further  develop​ ​their​ ​transportation​ ​network​ ​(Henao​ ​et.​ ​al.​ ​66).​ ​The​ ​success​ ​of​ ​this​ ​strategy​ ​can​ ​be  seen​ ​in​ ​Boulder’s​ ​platinum​ ​level​ ​of​ ​certification,​ ​and​ ​is​ ​a​ ​strategy​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh​ ​should  also​ ​adopt.   Another​ ​reason​ ​Boulder’s​ ​transportation​ ​network​ ​has​ ​been​ ​successful​ ​is​ ​because  the​ ​network​ ​that​ ​can​ ​be​ ​utilized​ ​by​ ​people​ ​from​ ​any​ ​socioeconomic​ ​class.​ ​In​ ​many​ ​cities,  the​ ​primary​ ​focus​ ​of​ ​their​ ​transportation​ ​system​ ​is​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​motor​ ​vehicle  infrastructure.​ ​This​ ​allows​ ​people​ ​to​ ​quickly​ ​move​ ​around​ ​a​ ​city​ ​or​ ​region,​ ​but​ ​limits​ ​the  number​ ​of​ ​people​ ​that​ ​are​ ​able​ ​to​ ​utilize​ ​the​ ​network​ ​to​ ​those​ ​that​ ​are​ ​able​ ​to​ ​afford  vehicles.​ ​With​ ​the​ ​presence​ ​of​ ​approximately​ ​30,000​ ​college​ ​students​ ​in​ ​Boulder,​ ​Colorado,  the​ ​city​ ​realized​ ​the​ ​importance​ ​of​ ​creating​ ​affordable​ ​transportation​ ​methods​ ​that​ ​allow  students​ ​and​ ​other​ ​residents​ ​to​ ​travel​ ​between​ ​the​ ​university​ ​and​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​downtown  economic​ ​center.​ ​While​ ​Oshkosh​ ​has​ ​started​ ​to​ ​connect​ ​the​ ​downtown​ ​area​ ​and​ ​the  UW-Oshkosh​ ​campus,​ ​further​ ​improvements​ ​would​ ​better​ ​utilize​ ​the​ ​economic​ ​potential​ ​of  the​ ​approximately​ ​14,000​ ​students​ ​that​ ​live​ ​near​ ​campus.         19      Boulder​ ​has​ ​been​ ​able​ ​to​ ​achieve​ ​a​ ​platinum​ ​level​ ​of​ ​certification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of  American​ ​Bicyclists​ ​by​ ​valuing​ ​the​ ​opinion​ ​of​ ​its​ ​residents.​ ​This​ ​has​ ​resulted​ ​in​ ​a​ ​highly  functional​ ​relationship​ ​between​ ​city​ ​officials​ ​and​ ​residents,​ ​which​ ​has​ ​allowed​ ​the​ ​city​ ​to  dedicate​ ​financial​ ​resources​ ​to​ ​creating​ ​an​ ​excellent​ ​bicycle​ ​network.​ ​In​ ​turn,​ ​residents​ ​that  might​ ​not​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​afford​ ​a​ ​motor​ ​vehicle​ ​are​ ​able​ ​to​ ​utilize​ ​the​ ​bicycle​ ​network,​ ​and  contribute​ ​to​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​economy.​ ​​ ​Boulder​ ​has​ ​a​ ​population​ ​of​ ​100,000​ ​people,​ ​and​ ​that  population​ ​swells​ ​to​ ​almost​ ​130,000​ ​during​ ​the​ ​school​ ​year,​ ​as​ ​the​ ​city​ ​is​ ​home​ ​to​ ​the  University​ ​of​ ​Colorado​ ​(Henao​ ​et.​ ​al.​ ​65).​ ​In​ ​this​ ​way,​ ​Boulder​ ​is​ ​much​ ​like​ ​Oshkosh,​ ​and  also​ ​shares​ ​similar​ ​weather​ ​and​ ​climate.​ ​Despite​ ​some​ ​differences​ ​in​ ​these​ ​cities,​ ​Boulder​ ​is  a​ ​great​ ​example​ ​of​ ​a​ ​city​ ​to​ ​emulate,​ ​and​ ​they​ ​provide​ ​a​ ​template​ ​that​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh  could​ ​follow​ ​to​ ​become​ ​bicycle​ ​friendly.    Marquette,​ ​Michigan  Marquette,​ ​Michigan​ ​is​ ​a​ ​great​ ​example​ ​of​ ​how​ ​biking​ ​can​ ​positively​ ​impact​ ​a​ ​city’s  economy.​ ​Marquette​ ​has​ ​had​ ​a​ ​history​ ​of​ ​economic​ ​challenges,​ ​and​ ​at​ ​one​ ​time,​ ​the​ ​city’s  only​ ​primary​ ​economic​ ​drivers​ ​were​ ​mining,​ ​the​ ​local​ ​hospital,​ ​and​ ​Northern​ ​Michigan  University.​ ​In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​boost​ ​their​ ​economy,​ ​Marquette​ ​has​ ​taken​ ​advantage​ ​of​ ​the  surrounding​ ​natural​ ​resources​ ​and​ ​used​ ​biking​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​their​ ​own​ ​personal​ ​brand​ ​of  ecotourism​ ​that​ ​is​ ​known​ ​across​ ​the​ ​nation​ ​as​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​best​ ​places​ ​to​ ​go​ ​mountain  biking.​ ​Much​ ​like​ ​Oshkosh,​ ​Marquette​ ​also​ ​has​ ​a​ ​fluctuating​ ​population​ ​due​ ​to​ ​the  presence​ ​of​ ​a​ ​university.​ ​As​ ​of​ ​the​ ​2010​ ​census,​ ​Marquette​ ​had​ ​a​ ​population​ ​of  approximately​ ​21,​ ​000,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​University​ ​hosts​ ​about​ ​9,000​ ​students​ ​annually.​ ​They​ ​also  experience​ ​much​ ​of​ ​the​ ​same​ ​temperatures​ ​and​ ​weather​ ​events​ ​as​ ​Oshkosh.   Marquette​ ​has​ ​done​ ​much​ ​in​ ​recent​ ​years​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​and​ ​expand​ ​their​ ​trail  systems,​ ​and​ ​in​ ​July​ ​of​ ​2014,​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​trail​ ​system​ ​was​ ​designated​ ​one​ ​of​ ​only​ ​thirteen  bronze​ ​level​ ​trails​ ​by​ ​the​ ​International​ ​Mountain​ ​Biking​ ​Association.​ ​The​ ​trails​ ​of​ ​the  Marquette​ ​system​ ​are​ ​located​ ​both​ ​in​ ​and​ ​around​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​and​ ​are​ ​managed​ ​by​ ​the  Noquemanon​ ​Trails​ ​Network​ ​(Jordan​ ​20).​ ​These​ ​trails​ ​are​ ​so​ ​popular​ ​that​ ​Marquette​ ​is​ ​able  to​ ​sustain​ ​four​ ​separate​ ​for-profit​ ​bicycle​ ​shops.​ ​Additionally,​ ​other​ ​retailers​ ​in​ ​the​ ​area    20      work​ ​together​ ​to​ ​encourage​ ​biking​ ​by​ ​investing​ ​in​ ​the​ ​trails,​ ​hosting​ ​events,​ ​and​ ​sponsoring  weekly​ ​rides​ ​(Jordan​ ​25).   Marquette​ ​has​ ​a​ ​much​ ​smaller,​ ​and​ ​more​ ​remote​ ​population​ ​than​ ​Oshkosh,​ ​but  they​ ​are​ ​still​ ​an​ ​applicable​ ​example​ ​of​ ​how​ ​a​ ​community​ ​can​ ​come​ ​together​ ​to​ ​boost​ ​its  economy​ ​through​ ​biking​ ​and​ ​ecotourism.​ ​Similar​ ​to​ ​Marquette,​ ​Oshkosh​ ​has​ ​its​ ​own​ ​set​ ​of  unique​ ​resources​ ​that​ ​could​ ​potentially​ ​be​ ​advertised​ ​to​ ​bikers​ ​as​ ​a​ ​great​ ​destination​ ​for​ ​a  ride.​ ​Oshkosh​ ​may​ ​not​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​the​ ​stellar​ ​mountain​ ​biking​ ​trails​ ​that​ ​Marquette  can,​ ​but​ ​Oshkosh​ ​still​ ​has​ ​much​ ​to​ ​offer​ ​to​ ​roadway​ ​cyclists.​ ​Certification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League  of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists​ ​in​ ​Oshkosh​ ​could​ ​be​ ​a​ ​stepping​ ​stone​ ​to​ ​a​ ​booming​ ​bike​ ​economy​ ​—  like​ ​that​ ​of​ ​Marquette​ ​—​ ​and​ ​Oshkosh​ ​can​ ​look​ ​to​ ​Marquette​ ​as​ ​a​ ​guide​ ​on​ ​how​ ​working  together​ ​within​ ​the​ ​community​ ​can​ ​create​ ​a​ ​Wisconsin​ ​biking​ ​hotspot.     Nashville,​ ​Tennessee   In​ ​recent​ ​years,​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Nashville,​ ​Tennessee​ ​has​ ​made​ ​significant​ ​strides​ ​to  improve​ ​their​ ​transportation​ ​infrastructure.​ ​Some​ ​of​ ​their​ ​biggest​ ​improvements​ ​have  come​ ​in​ ​the​ ​form​ ​of​ ​creating​ ​bike​ ​and​ ​pedestrian​ ​infrastructure.​ ​According​ ​to​ ​Meehan​ ​and  Whitfield​ ​in​ ​the​ ​article​ ​“​Integrating​ ​Health​ ​and​ ​Transportation​ ​in​ ​Nashville,​ ​Tennessee,”  Nashville​ ​had​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​health​ ​issues​ ​due​ ​to​ ​a​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​physical​ ​activity,​ ​and​ ​transportation  problems​ ​caused​ ​by​ ​high​ ​levels​ ​of​ ​motor​ ​vehicle​ ​congestion.​ ​The​ ​city​ ​decided​ ​that​ ​it​ ​would  be​ ​a​ ​good​ ​idea​ ​for​ ​them​ ​to​ ​invest​ ​in​ ​bike​ ​and​ ​pedestrian​ ​infrastructure​ ​that​ ​could​ ​help  promote​ ​physical​ ​health,​ ​while​ ​also​ ​fixing​ ​their​ ​congestion​ ​problem​ ​(Meehan​ ​and​ ​Whitfield  326).​ ​As​ ​a​ ​result,​ ​the​ ​city​ ​was​ ​able​ ​to​ ​fix​ ​two​ ​of​ ​their​ ​primary​ ​issues,​ ​by​ ​incorporating​ ​bike  and​ ​pedestrian​ ​infrastructure​ ​into​ ​their​ ​transportation​ ​network.   As​ ​Nashville​ ​was​ ​putting​ ​sustainable​ ​infrastructure​ ​at​ ​the​ ​forefront​ ​of​ ​their  transportation​ ​network,​ ​the​ ​city​ ​also​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​share​ ​the​ ​success​ ​of​ ​their  program​ ​with​ ​other​ ​cities.​ ​While​ ​Nashville​ ​recognized​ ​that​ ​their​ ​population​ ​was​ ​much  larger​ ​than​ ​most​ ​cities​ ​—​ ​and​ ​their​ ​transportation​ ​funds​ ​were​ ​quite​ ​extensive​ ​—​ ​they​ ​did  not​ ​want​ ​smaller​ ​cities​ ​to​ ​be​ ​discouraged​ ​about​ ​using​ ​them​ ​as​ ​a​ ​benchmark​ ​city.​ ​For  instance,​ ​Meehan​ ​and​ ​Whitfield​ ​further​ ​shared​ ​how​ ​Nashville​ ​used​ ​the​ ​flexibility​ ​of​ ​Federal  Transportation​ ​dollars​ ​to​ ​conduct​ ​surveys​ ​to​ ​see​ ​what​ ​people​ ​actually​ ​wanted​ ​out​ ​of​ ​their    21      bike​ ​infrastructure.​ ​Additionally,​ ​Nashville​ ​used​ ​their​ ​federal​ ​funds​ ​for​ ​educational​ ​projects  that​ ​promoted​ ​the​ ​use​ ​of​ ​non-automotive​ ​transportation​ ​(Meehan​ ​and​ ​Whitfield​ ​332).  While​ ​Nashville​ ​is​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​compare​ ​with​ ​other​ ​cities​ ​in​ ​terms​ ​of​ ​size,​ ​economy,​ ​etc.,​ ​it​ ​still  has​ ​laid​ ​effective​ ​guidelines​ ​that​ ​will​ ​help​ ​other​ ​cities​ ​achieve​ ​more​ ​bike​ ​friendly  infrastructure.   Cost  To​ ​apply​ ​for​ ​a​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclist​ ​certification,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​$150​ ​fee  associated​ ​with​ ​the​ ​application​ ​process.​ ​The​ ​application​ ​process​ ​is​ ​fairly​ ​time​ ​consuming,  and​ ​very​ ​in-depth.​ ​If​ ​the​ ​city​ ​was​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​for​ ​the​ ​certification​ ​on​ ​its​ ​own,​ ​it​ ​would​ ​result​ ​in  an​ ​employee​ ​having​ ​to​ ​spend​ ​a​ ​considerable​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​time​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​the​ ​application.  With​ ​our​ ​help​ ​completing​ ​a​ ​portion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​application,​ ​the​ ​city​ ​can​ ​reduce​ ​the​ ​amount​ ​of  time​ ​and​ ​expenses​ ​otherwise​ ​required.​ ​There​ ​are​ ​two​ ​application​ ​cycles​ ​every​ ​year,  providing​ ​the​ ​city​ ​ample​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​and​ ​reapply​ ​for​ ​the​ ​certification.​ ​The​ ​next  application​ ​deadline​ ​is​ ​February​ ​13,​ ​2018.  Additional​ ​expenses​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​applying​ ​for​ ​this​ ​certification​ ​will​ ​include​ ​such  things​ ​as​ ​updating​ ​and​ ​expanding​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​current​ ​bicycle​ ​infrastructure​ ​network,​ ​the  creation​ ​of​ ​educational​ ​materials​ ​and​ ​programs,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​creation​ ​of​ ​ordinances​ ​that  protect​ ​the​ ​rights​ ​of​ ​bicyclists.​ ​While​ ​not​ ​all​ ​of​ ​these​ ​will​ ​come​ ​at​ ​a​ ​great​ ​cost​ ​to​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​it​ ​is  important​ ​to​ ​identify​ ​them​ ​as​ ​future​ ​expenses​ ​that​ ​the​ ​city​ ​will​ ​have​ ​to​ ​account​ ​for​ ​if​ ​they  wish​ ​to​ ​become​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​community.   On​ ​the​ ​other​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​spectrum,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​some​ ​cost-saving​ ​benefits​ ​associated  with​ ​Oshkosh​ ​becoming​ ​a​ ​bicycle​ ​friendly​ ​city.​ ​One​ ​of​ ​the​ ​biggest​ ​benefits​ ​associated​ ​with  this​ ​certification​ ​is​ ​the​ ​decreased​ ​carbon​ ​footprint​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​transportation​ ​network.  There​ ​are​ ​several​ ​studies​ ​that​ ​indicate​ ​that​ ​as​ ​the​ ​level​ ​of​ ​carbon​ ​emissions​ ​decrease​ ​in​ ​a  city,​ ​the​ ​overall​ ​level​ ​of​ ​health​ ​and​ ​life​ ​expectancy​ ​of​ ​residents​ ​increases​ ​(Gössling​ ​et.​ ​al.  108).​ ​While​ ​this​ ​may​ ​be​ ​a​ ​hard​ ​factor​ ​to​ ​effectively​ ​measure,​ ​Oshkosh​ ​becoming​ ​a​ ​bicycle  friendly​ ​city​ ​can​ ​represent​ ​a​ ​significant​ ​level​ ​of​ ​savings​ ​in​ ​healthcare​ ​for​ ​residents​ ​and​ ​the  government.       22      Barriers  There​ ​are​ ​several​ ​barriers​ ​that​ ​exist​ ​which​ ​might​ ​prevent​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh​ ​from  obtaining​ ​a​ ​certification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists.​ ​One​ ​such​ ​barrier​ ​is​ ​the  overall​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​improving​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​current​ ​bicycle​ ​network.​ ​One​ ​of​ ​the​ ​key​ ​aspects​ ​to  obtaining​ ​a​ ​certification​ ​is​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​a​ ​well-connected​ ​bicycle​ ​network.​ ​While​ ​the  city​ ​is​ ​currently​ ​attempting​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​its​ ​bicycle​ ​network,​ ​large​ ​sections​ ​of​ ​the​ ​current  network​ ​remain​ ​disconnected.​ ​For​ ​the​ ​city​ ​to​ ​correct​ ​this​ ​issue,​ ​large​ ​financial​ ​investments  will​ ​be​ ​required.​ ​As​ ​indicated​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Bike​ ​and​ ​Pedestrian​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee,​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the  largest​ ​expenses​ ​is​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​the​ ​movement​ ​of​ ​traffic​ ​detection​ ​equipment​ ​built​ ​into  the​ ​road​ ​surface​ ​at​ ​intersections.​ ​While​ ​the​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​constructing​ ​a​ ​bicycle​ ​lane​ ​is​ ​cheaper  than​ ​constructing​ ​a​ ​sharrow,​ ​the​ ​expenses​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​the​ ​movement​ ​of​ ​traffic  detection​ ​equipment​ ​limits​ ​the​ ​number​ ​of​ ​bicycle​ ​lanes​ ​the​ ​city​ ​is​ ​able​ ​to​ ​construct​ ​in​ ​a  given​ ​year.​ ​Even​ ​though​ ​it​ ​would​ ​be​ ​ideal​ ​to​ ​connect​ ​the​ ​bicycle​ ​network​ ​in​ ​a​ ​short-period  of​ ​time,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​not​ ​feasible​ ​for​ ​the​ ​city​ ​to​ ​make​ ​such​ ​a​ ​large​ ​financial​ ​investment​ ​at​ ​one​ ​time.  An​ ​additional​ ​barrier​ ​to​ ​the​ ​city​ ​obtaining​ ​a​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclist​ ​certification  may​ ​come​ ​from​ ​local​ ​business​ ​owners.​ ​As​ ​indicated​ ​by​ ​Naudziunas​ ​and​ ​Wiley,​ ​many  business​ ​owners​ ​will​ ​object​ ​to​ ​the​ ​continued​ ​expansion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​current​ ​bicycle​ ​network  if​ ​it​ ​reduces​ ​the​ ​number​ ​of​ ​parking​ ​spaces​ ​available​ ​to​ ​their​ ​potential​ ​customers  (Naudziunas​ ​and​ ​Wiley).​ ​Even​ ​though​ ​parking​ ​spaces​ ​may​ ​be​ ​lost​ ​to​ ​bike​ ​lanes​ ​being  constructed,​ ​the​ ​decrease​ ​in​ ​parking​ ​for​ ​businesses​ ​can​ ​be​ ​recovered​ ​by​ ​an​ ​increased​ ​level  of​ ​bicycle​ ​traffic.   From​ ​interviews​ ​and​ ​surveys,​ ​there​ ​seems​ ​to​ ​be​ ​overall​ ​support​ ​for​ ​improving​ ​bike  infrastructure,​ ​but​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​citizen​ ​engagement​ ​regarding​ ​bicycle​ ​transportation.​ ​As  indicated​ ​by​ ​Naudziunas​ ​and​ ​Wiley,​ ​residents​ ​rarely​ ​go​ ​to​ ​bike​ ​related​ ​city​ ​meetings,​ ​and  thus,​ ​do​ ​not​ ​often​ ​voice​ ​their​ ​opinions.​ ​Changing​ ​this​ ​by​ ​creating​ ​a​ ​strong,​ ​active,​ ​and  engaged​ ​biking​ ​culture​ ​will​ ​make​ ​certification​ ​an​ ​ongoing​ ​success.       23      Significance​ ​for​ ​Sustainability  One​ ​of​ ​the​ ​best​ ​ways​ ​to​ ​describe​ ​sustainability​ ​is​ ​by​ ​using​ ​the​ ​three​ ​pillars​ ​model.  This​ ​model​ ​can​ ​be​ ​represented​ ​by​ ​the​ ​three​ ​Ps,​ ​which​ ​stand​ ​for​ ​Profit,​ ​Planet,​ ​and​ ​People.  These​ ​pieces​ ​work​ ​together​ ​to​ ​create​ ​an​ ​efficient​ ​and​ ​functioning​ ​system,​ ​but​ ​if​ ​one​ ​pillar​ ​is  weak,​ ​then​ ​sustainability​ ​suffers.​ ​In​ ​this​ ​report,​ ​this​ ​model​ ​is​ ​used​ ​to​ ​describe​ ​the  sustainability​ ​efforts​ ​required​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​community.     Profit  The​ ​profit​ ​pillar​ ​describes​ ​Oshkosh​ ​sustainability​ ​from​ ​an​ ​economic​ ​perspective.  Sustainability​ ​is​ ​inherent​ ​in​ ​cycling,​ ​as​ ​it​ ​can​ ​improve​ ​the​ ​overall​ ​quality​ ​of​ ​a​ ​city’s​ ​economy,  environment,​ ​and​ ​society.​ ​Cycling​ ​has​ ​proven​ ​to​ ​be​ ​an​ ​economically​ ​viable​ ​practice,​ ​as​ ​the  state​ ​of​ ​Wisconsin​ ​currently​ ​generates​ ​924​ ​million​ ​dollars​ ​annually​ ​from​ ​bicycle​ ​recreation  and​ ​tourism​ ​(Fluche).​ ​Oshkosh​ ​can​ ​benefit​ ​greatly​ ​from​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​additional  bicycle​ ​infrastructure​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​thus​ ​tapping​ ​into​ ​many​ ​of​ ​the​ ​economic​ ​benefits  that​ ​other​ ​Wisconsin​ ​communities​ ​are​ ​already​ ​experiencing.​ ​The​ ​Wiouwash​ ​Trail​ ​has  already​ ​been​ ​identified​ ​as​ ​a​ ​significant​ ​draw​ ​to​ ​Oshkosh’s​ ​bike​ ​network,​ ​and​ ​serves​ ​as​ ​a  tourism​ ​destination​ ​that​ ​could​ ​be​ ​expanded​ ​with​ ​additional​ ​bike​ ​infrastructure,​ ​or​ ​off-road  trails.​ ​Off-road​ ​trails​ ​have​ ​shown​ ​themselves​ ​to​ ​be​ ​major​ ​tourist​ ​destinations​ ​throughout  the​ ​state​ ​of​ ​Wisconsin.​ ​For​ ​example,​ ​the​ ​Chippewa​ ​River​ ​Trail​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Eau​ ​Claire​ ​City​ ​Trail  see​ ​a​ ​combined​ ​100,000​ ​cyclists​ ​annually​ ​(Ivory).​ ​Engaging​ ​in​ ​a​ ​mode​ ​of​ ​active  transportation​ ​such​ ​as​ ​cycling​ ​is​ ​not​ ​only​ ​beneficial​ ​for​ ​individual​ ​health,​ ​but​ ​can​ ​also​ ​have    24      significant​ ​cost​ ​savings​ ​—​ ​especially​ ​in​ ​areas​ ​such​ ​as​ ​healthcare​ ​and​ ​fossil​ ​fuels.​ ​It​ ​is  important​ ​to​ ​remember​ ​that​ ​any​ ​costs​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​bicycle  infrastructure​ ​are​ ​an​ ​investment​ ​not​ ​only​ ​in​ ​the​ ​health​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh​ ​and​ ​its​ ​citizens,​ ​but​ ​its  economy​ ​as​ ​well.   The​ ​city’s​ ​sustainability​ ​plan​ ​is​ ​an​ ​effective​ ​outline​ ​for​ ​improving​ ​the​ ​economic  sustainability​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh.​ ​Aspects​ ​of​ ​managing​ ​profit​ ​while​ ​remaining​ ​sustainable​ ​are  found​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​plan,​ ​and​ ​are​ ​interrelated​ ​with​ ​key​ ​components​ ​of​ ​this​ ​certification.  For​ ​example,​ ​when​ ​defining​ ​sustainability,​ ​the​ ​city​ ​recognizes​ ​that​ ​profit​ ​and​ ​the  stimulation​ ​of​ ​local​ ​business​ ​are​ ​key​ ​components​ ​of​ ​sustainability.​ ​From​ ​the​ ​research  conducted,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​evident​ ​to​ ​see​ ​that​ ​having​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​certification​ ​will​ ​help​ ​stimulate  local​ ​business​ ​and​ ​the​ ​economy.     Planet  A​ ​Bike​ ​Friendly​ ​Community​ ​is​ ​sustainable​ ​because​ ​it​ ​promotes​ ​a​ ​healthy  environment.​ ​An​ ​optimal​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​community​ ​creates​ ​less​ ​traffic​ ​and​ ​emissions​ ​in​ ​the  atmosphere.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​achieved​ ​by​ ​providing​ ​a​ ​transportation​ ​option​ ​that​ ​is​ ​both​ ​practical​ ​and  efficient​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​make​ ​citizens​ ​choose​ ​over​ ​other​ ​modes​ ​of​ ​transportation.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​well  known​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​cars​ ​create​ ​emissions​ ​that​ ​cause​ ​negative​ ​effects​ ​for​ ​both​ ​the​ ​environment  and​ ​human​ ​health.​ ​The​ ​EPA​ ​has​ ​stated​ ​that,​ ​on​ ​average,​ ​a​ ​typical​ ​passenger​ ​car​ ​emits​ ​4.7  metric​ ​tons​ ​of​ ​carbon​ ​dioxide​ ​per​ ​year​ ​(EPA).​ ​​ ​Although​ ​Oshkosh​ ​is​ ​not​ ​as​ ​large​ ​as​ ​cities​ ​like  Milwaukee​ ​or​ ​New​ ​York,​ ​locally,​ ​we​ ​can​ ​still​ ​do​ ​our​ ​part​ ​to​ ​make​ ​a​ ​change​ ​in​ ​worldwide  environmental​ ​health​ ​by​ ​reducing​ ​motor​ ​vehicle​ ​transportation.   The​ ​city’s​ ​sustainability​ ​plan​ ​incorporates​ ​the​ ​planet​ ​aspect​ ​of​ ​sustainability​ ​when  discussing​ ​the​ ​reduction​ ​of​ ​greenhouse​ ​gas​ ​emissions.​ ​According​ ​to​ ​the​ ​“Greenhouse​ ​Gas  Production”​ ​section​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Oshkosh​ ​sustainability​ ​plan,​ ​the​ ​burning​ ​of​ ​fossil​ ​fuels  contributes​ ​to​ ​the​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​greenhouse​ ​gases​ ​emitted​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​city.​ ​Therefore,​ ​an  increase​ ​of​ ​biking​ ​culture​ ​in​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh​ ​would​ ​lead​ ​to​ ​a​ ​reduction​ ​in​ ​the​ ​amount​ ​of  greenhouse​ ​gases​ ​emitted.​ ​Additionally,​ ​the​ ​Oshkosh​ ​sustainability​ ​plan​ ​also​ ​aims​ ​to  comply​ ​with​ ​the​ ​“U.S.​ ​Conference​ ​of​ ​Mayors​ ​Climate​ ​Protection​ ​Agreement,”​ ​which​ ​also  calls​ ​for​ ​a​ ​reduction​ ​in​ ​GHG​ ​emissions.     25        People  The​ ​people​ ​pillar​ ​describes​ ​Oshkosh’s​ ​sustainability​ ​from​ ​a​ ​social​ ​perspective.  Studies​ ​show​ ​that​ ​increased​ ​physical​ ​activity​ ​can​ ​help​ ​reduce​ ​the​ ​risk​ ​of​ ​many​ ​diseases.  According​ ​to​ ​​Preparing​ ​for​ ​Bike-Sharing:​ ​Insight​ ​From​ ​Focus​ ​Groups​ ​and​ ​Surveys,​ ​Chattanooga,  Tennessee,​ ​2010​,​​ ​two-thirds​ ​of​ ​Americans​ ​suffer​ ​from​ ​obesity​ ​(​Meehan​ ​and​ ​Whitfield)​.​ ​To  address​ ​this​ ​problem,​ ​cities​ ​like​ ​Chattanooga​ ​have​ ​worked​ ​to​ ​incorporate​ ​bike​ ​and  pedestrian​ ​infrastructure​ ​into​ ​their​ ​transportation​ ​networks.​ ​This​ ​increase​ ​in​ ​infrastructure  allows​ ​people​ ​to​ ​incorporate​ ​physical​ ​activity​ ​(i.e.​ ​biking​ ​or​ ​walking)​ ​into​ ​everyday​ ​tasks,  such​ ​as​ ​going​ ​to​ ​work,​ ​or​ ​running​ ​errands​ ​(Webster​ ​and​ ​Cunningham​ ​1).​ ​People​ ​who  engage​ ​in​ ​the​ ​recommended​ ​daily​ ​dose​ ​of​ ​physical​ ​activity​ ​tend​ ​to​ ​not​ ​only​ ​be​ ​healthier  physically​ ​and​ ​mentally,​ ​but​ ​happier​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​Happier​ ​people​ ​benefit​ ​a​ ​city​ ​by​ ​spending  more​ ​money​ ​in​ ​their​ ​local​ ​economy,​ ​and​ ​staying​ ​away​ ​from​ ​illegal​ ​activities.​ ​The​ ​addition​ ​of  bike​ ​friendly​ ​infrastructure​ ​can​ ​also​ ​help​ ​citizens​ ​feel​ ​more​ ​connected​ ​to​ ​disparate​ ​parts​ ​of  a​ ​city,​ ​and​ ​it​ ​also​ ​provides​ ​opportunities​ ​for​ ​increased​ ​levels​ ​of​ ​community​ ​engagement.  Much​ ​like​ ​our​ ​report,​ ​the​ ​city​ ​also​ ​incorporates​ ​people​ ​in​ ​there​ ​sustainability​ ​plan.  For​ ​example,​ ​according​ ​to​ ​the​ ​“Travel​ ​Green”​ ​section,​ ​attracting​ ​ecotourism​ ​and​ ​expanding  on​ ​outdoor​ ​recreational​ ​activities,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​biking,​ ​is​ ​a​ ​priority​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city.​ ​This​ ​goal​ ​coincides  with​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​community​ ​because​ ​the​ ​aim​ ​is​ ​to​ ​foster​ ​a​ ​community​ ​of​ ​people​ ​around  biking​ ​events​ ​and​ ​culture.​ ​Therefore,​ ​having​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​community​ ​certification​ ​will  help​ ​the​ ​city​ ​achieve​ ​their​ ​goals​ ​listed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​“Travel​ ​Green”​ ​section​ ​of​ ​the​ ​sustainability  plan.           26      Conclusion  Certification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists​ ​will​ ​benefit​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh  greatly.​ ​Achieving​ ​any​ ​level​ ​of​ ​certification​ ​will​ ​be​ ​a​ ​step​ ​towards​ ​creating​ ​a​ ​more  sustainable​ ​and​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​city.​ ​In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​streamline​ ​and​ ​simplify​ ​the​ ​process​ ​of  becoming​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​city,​ ​we​ ​have​ ​identified​ ​a​ ​number​ ​of​ ​key​ ​factors​ ​for​ ​the​ ​city​ ​to  consider:​ ​stakeholders,​ ​potential​ ​barriers/costs,​ ​benchmark​ ​cities,​ ​and​ ​benefits​ ​Oshkosh  will​ ​receive​ ​from​ ​achieving​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​certification.   ​ ​When​ ​doing​ ​something​ ​new​ ​or​ ​creating​ ​improvements,​ ​looking​ ​to​ ​other​ ​cities​ ​for  examples​ ​is​ ​very​ ​helpful​ ​to​ ​see​ ​what​ ​can​ ​and​ ​cannot​ ​work.​ ​Appleton​ ​is​ ​a​ ​great​ ​example​ ​due  to​ ​its​ ​location,​ ​population​ ​size,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​presence​ ​of​ ​a​ ​river​ ​that​ ​flows​ ​through​ ​the​ ​middle​ ​of  it.​ ​Additionally,​ ​Appleton​ ​is​ ​already​ ​at​ ​a​ ​silver​ ​level​ ​of​ ​certification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of  American​ ​Bicyclists;​ ​thus,​ ​providing​ ​an​ ​excellent​ ​example​ ​of​ ​a​ ​city​ ​that​ ​Oshkosh​ ​should  emulate.​ ​Oshkosh​ ​would​ ​benefit​ ​greatly​ ​by​ ​using​ ​Appleton’s​ ​application​ ​as​ ​a​ ​template​ ​for  its​ ​own​ ​application​ ​process​ ​because​ ​of​ ​its​ ​similar​ ​geographic​ ​and​ ​demographic  characteristics.​ ​Similarly,​ ​cities​ ​such​ ​as​ ​Boulder,​ ​Colorado,​ ​and​ ​Eau​ ​Claire,​ ​Wisconsin​ ​are​ ​all  excellent​ ​examples​ ​of​ ​cities​ ​that​ ​Oshkosh​ ​can​ ​look​ ​towards​ ​as​ ​they​ ​have​ ​successfully  transitioned​ ​into​ ​becoming​ ​bicycle​ ​friendly​ ​cities.​ ​The​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​look​ ​at​ ​other​ ​cities​ ​and  listen​ ​to​ ​stakeholders​ ​are​ ​key​ ​component​ ​to​ ​the​ ​successful​ ​implementation​ ​of​ ​any​ ​policy,  or​ ​the​ ​attainment​ ​of​ ​a​ ​certification.   Stakeholders​ ​specifically​ ​play​ ​a​ ​vital​ ​role​ ​when​ ​applying​ ​for​ ​a​ ​certification.​ ​It​ ​is  important​ ​to​ ​listen​ ​to​ ​not​ ​only​ ​those​ ​that​ ​are​ ​being​ ​directly​ ​impacted​ ​by​ ​this​ ​certification,  but​ ​also​ ​those​ ​indirectly​ ​impacted.​ ​Additionally,​ ​the​ ​influence​ ​of​ ​expert​ ​stakeholders​ ​that  might​ ​not​ ​necessarily​ ​be​ ​impacted​ ​by​ ​this​ ​particular​ ​certification​ ​are​ ​key​ ​to​ ​its​ ​successful  adoption.​ ​For​ ​our​ ​key​ ​stakeholders,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​Naudziunas​ ​and​ ​Rennert,​ ​the​ ​input​ ​from  primary,​ ​secondary,​ ​and​ ​expert​ ​stakeholders​ ​is​ ​vital​ ​for​ ​them​ ​to​ ​make​ ​educated​ ​and  well-informed​ ​decisions​ ​that​ ​as​ ​a​ ​result,​ ​can​ ​have​ ​a​ ​positive​ ​impact​ ​on​ ​the​ ​community.         27      The​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​the​ ​application​ ​for​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclist​ ​certification​ ​is​ ​$150,  and​ ​could​ ​either​ ​be​ ​paid​ ​for​ ​by​ ​fundraising,​ ​or​ ​be​ ​adopted​ ​into​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​budget​ ​in​ ​the  future.​ ​While​ ​the​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​the​ ​application​ ​is​ ​relatively​ ​cheap,​ ​other​ ​expenses​ ​from​ ​needed  infrastructure​ ​improvements​ ​and​ ​updates​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​city​ ​will​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​considered​ ​in  the​ ​future.  As​ ​Oshkosh​ ​continues​ ​to​ ​look​ ​towards​ ​the​ ​future,​ ​the​ ​goal​ ​of​ ​creating​ ​a​ ​more  sustainable​ ​city​ ​should​ ​be​ ​at​ ​the​ ​forefront​ ​ー​ ​as​ ​the​ ​city​ ​could​ ​become​ ​a​ ​leader​ ​of  sustainability​ ​in​ ​Wisconsin.​ ​Though​ ​there​ ​are​ ​costs​ ​to​ ​implementing​ ​this​ ​strategy,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​an  excellent​ ​opportunity​ ​for​ ​the​ ​city​ ​with​ ​benefits​ ​that​ ​can​ ​greatly​ ​outweigh​ ​the​ ​costs.​ ​When​ ​it  comes​ ​to​ ​environmental​ ​health,​ ​bicycles​ ​are​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​environmentally​ ​friendly  options.​ ​When​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​motor​ ​vehicles,​ ​bicycles​ ​create​ ​almost​ ​no​ ​emissions​ ​that  contribute​ ​to​ ​climate​ ​change.​ ​As​ ​a​ ​result,​ ​human​ ​health​ ​factors​ ​will​ ​increase​ ​throughout​ ​the  city​ ​due​ ​to​ ​higher​ ​levels​ ​of​ ​physical​ ​activity,​ ​and​ ​lower​ ​levels​ ​of​ ​carbon​ ​emissions​ ​being  generated.  We​ ​feel​ ​strongly​ ​that​ ​becoming​ ​certified​ ​as​ ​a​ ​bike​ ​friendly​ ​city​ ​by​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of  American​ ​Bicyclists​ ​will​ ​be​ ​of​ ​great​ ​benefit​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Oshkosh​ ​community.​ ​By​ ​working​ ​together  with​ ​the​ ​local​ ​government,​ ​citizens,​ ​businesses,​ ​and​ ​cycling​ ​groups,​ ​the​ ​community​ ​can  overcome​ ​any​ ​costs​ ​or​ ​barriers​ ​that​ ​may​ ​arise.​ ​This​ ​will​ ​take​ ​thoughtful​ ​conversations,  compromises,​ ​and​ ​time,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​will​ ​be​ ​worth​ ​the​ ​effort​ ​for​ ​a​ ​happier,​ ​healthier,​ ​more  sustainable​ ​Oshkosh.            28      Appendix   City​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh​ ​Bicycle​ ​Facilities​ ​Improvement​ ​Survey  (Community​ ​Survey)  The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Wisconsin-Oshkosh​ ​Environmental​ ​Studies​ ​Senior​ ​Seminar​ ​class​ ​is  conducting​ ​research​ ​to​ ​make​ ​the​ ​City​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh​ ​bicycle​ ​friendly,​ ​and​ ​to​ ​certify​ ​its​ ​bicycle  network​ ​through​ ​the​ ​League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists.  Please​ ​fill​ ​out​ ​the​ ​questions​ ​below​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​your​ ​input​ ​on​ ​improving​ ​the​ ​City​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh  bicycle​ ​network.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​have​ ​additional​ ​questions,​ ​please​ ​leave​ ​your​ ​email​ ​and​ ​questions​ ​in  the​ ​comments​ ​section,​ ​and​ ​we​ ​will​ ​get​ ​back​ ​to​ ​you​ ​as​ ​soon​ ​as​ ​we​ ​can.  Thank​ ​you​ ​for​ ​participating!      29            30          What​ ​streets​ ​are​ ​you​ ​most​ ​comfortable​ ​using​ ​as​ ​bike​ ​routes?  High​ ​St.​ ​(18)  Algoma​ ​(15)  Irving​ ​(11)  Streets​ ​with​ ​bike​ ​lanes​ ​(7)    31      Neighborhood​ ​Streets/residential​ ​(7)  Wiouwash​ ​Trail​ ​(5)  Main​ ​(5)  All​ ​city​ ​streets/​ ​most​ ​streets​ ​(3)  None​ ​(3)  Campus​ ​Streets​ ​(2)  New​ ​York​ ​(2)  Elmwood​ ​(2)  Osborn​ ​(2)  Hazel​ ​(2)  Sawyer​ ​(2)  Minnesota​ ​(1)  Around​ ​Menominee​ ​Park​ ​(1)  Murdock​ ​(1)  Otter​ ​(1)  Westhaven​ ​(1)  Smith​ ​(1)  Pearl​ ​(1)  Parkway​ ​(1)        32      What​ ​Streets​ ​are​ ​you​ ​least​ ​comfortable​ ​using​ ​as​ ​bike​ ​routes?  Jackson​ ​(15)  Main​ ​(14)  Murdock​ ​(7)  Algoma​ ​(6)  Main​ ​thoroughfares/frontage​ ​roads​ ​(6)  9th​ ​(6)  Wisconsin​ ​(5)  Sharrows​ ​(5)  New​ ​York​ ​(4)  Campus​ ​Streets​ ​(4)  Ohio​ ​(3)  Oregon​ ​(2)  Sawyer​ ​(2)  Bowen​ ​(2)  Snell​ ​(1)  Scott​ ​(1)  Congress​ ​(1)  Washington​ ​(1)  Oakwood​ ​(1)  20th​ ​(1)    33              34            35              36      What​ ​is​ ​an​ ​improvement​ ​that​ ​you​ ​would​ ​like​ ​to​ ​see​ ​done​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Oshkosh​ ​Bicycle  Transportation​ ​Network?   More​ ​bike​ ​lanes​ ​(21)  Connect​ ​existing​ ​infrastructure/expand​ ​current​ ​infrastructure​ ​(12)  Improve​ ​safety​ ​(10)  Increase​ ​education​ ​and​ ​rules​ ​of​ ​the​ ​road​ ​for​ ​motorists​ ​and​ ​bikers​ ​(10)  Increase​ ​signage​ ​(6)  Provide​ ​bike​ ​share​ ​program​ ​(4)  Increased​ ​bike​ ​lanes​ ​on​ ​the​ ​west​ ​side​ ​(3)  Advertise​ ​community​ ​biking​ ​events​ ​(3)  Increased​ ​bike​ ​parking​ ​(2)  Less​ ​sharrows,​ ​more​ ​bike​ ​lanes​ ​(1)    Where​ ​do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​an​ ​additional​ ​bike​ ​route​ ​should​ ​be​ ​added​ ​in​ ​the​ ​city?  Jackson​ ​(4)  All​ ​streets​ ​that​ ​lead​ ​to​ ​campus​ ​(3)  Wisconsin​ ​(3)  On​ ​all​ ​major​ ​thoroughfares​ ​(3)  Around​ ​county​ ​park​ ​(3)  Congress​ ​(2)  Algoma​ ​Blvd.​ ​(2)    37      Increased​ ​bike​ ​path​ ​availability​ ​(2)  Round-about​ ​areas​ ​(2)  Hazel​ ​Street.​ ​(2)  Main​ ​Street​ ​(2)  Bowen​ ​St.​ ​(2)  Lakeshore​ ​golf​ ​course​ ​area​ ​(2)  Routes​ ​to​ ​reach​ ​the​ ​Wiouwash​ ​from​ ​the​ ​North/East​ ​side​ ​of​ ​town​ ​(1)  Along​ ​North​ ​and​ ​South​ ​streets,​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​High​ ​St.​ ​(1)  More​ ​the​ ​better​ ​(1)  Connections​ ​over​ ​bridges​ ​on​ ​Fox​ ​River​ ​(1)  Downtown​ ​(1)  South​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh,​ ​along​ ​the​ ​lake​ ​road​ ​(1)  Better​ ​connection​ ​between​ ​campus​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Wiouwash​ ​Trail​ ​(1)  Westside​ ​of​ ​41​ ​(1)  Menominee​ ​(1)  Murdock​ ​(1)  Oakwood​ ​(1)  20th​ ​Ave.​ ​(1)  Ohio​ ​(1)  New​ ​York​ ​(1)  Connecting​ ​the​ ​lake​ ​and​ ​the​ ​campus​ ​area​ ​better​ ​(1)    38      Connecting​ ​UWO​ ​to​ ​other​ ​parts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city​ ​(1)    Additional​ ​Comments  ●Bike​ ​and​ ​cars​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​separated.​ ​Motorized​ ​vehicles​ ​do​ ​not​ ​like​ ​to​ ​share  pavement.   ●I'm​ ​a​ ​long-time​ ​supporter​ ​of​ ​Bike/Ped​ ​(Comp.​ ​Plan​ ​2005​ ​&​ ​Bike​ ​Plan​ ​2012).​ ​It​ ​is  imperative​ ​that​ ​the​ ​City​ ​&​ ​UW-O​ ​&​ ​other​ ​community​ ​groups​ ​build​ ​a​ ​Bike​ ​Culture​ ​if  we​ ​wish​ ​to​ ​attract/retain​ ​smart,​ ​young,​ ​health-minded,​ ​community-loving,  nature-aware​ ​individuals,​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​wonderful​ ​community.​ ​The​ ​more​ ​bikers,​ ​the  more​ ​that​ ​others​ ​will​ ​consider​ ​joining​ ​a​ ​biking​ ​lifestyle.  ●I'd​ ​like​ ​to​ ​change​ ​the​ ​image​ ​of​ ​bicycles​ ​and​ ​public​ ​transportation​ ​to​ ​change​ ​from  something​ ​used​ ​by​ ​poor​ ​and​ ​special​ ​needs​ ​people​ ​to​ ​one​ ​of​ ​alternative  transportation​ ​that​ ​benefits​ ​everyone.  ●I​ ​used​ ​to​ ​ride​ ​much​ ​more​ ​frequently,​ ​but​ ​I've​ ​since​ ​moved​ ​next​ ​to​ ​campus​ ​and​ ​now​ ​I  just​ ​walk.​ ​I​ ​would​ ​consider​ ​grocery​ ​shopping​ ​with​ ​my​ ​bike,​ ​if​ ​distance​ ​and​ ​time​ ​were  not​ ​constraints.​ ​I'd​ ​also​ ​do​ ​more​ ​winter​ ​riding​ ​if​ ​plows​ ​were​ ​more​ ​considerate​ ​of  bike​ ​lanes.  ●Bikes​ ​on​ ​busses​ ​is​ ​a​ ​good​ ​program,​ ​more​ ​connections​ ​to​ ​neighborhoods​ ​from  downtown​ ​areas​ ​and​ ​business​ ​centers  ●Just​ ​a​ ​few​ ​more​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​bike​ ​riders​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​car​ ​drivers​ ​from​ ​home​ ​to​ ​work​ ​will  make​ ​both​ ​cycling​ ​and​ ​driving​ ​easier,​ ​safer,​ ​and​ ​happier.  ●City​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh​ ​should​ ​adopt​ ​a​ ​complete​ ​streets​ ​policy.  ●I​ ​have​ ​been​ ​excited​ ​to​ ​see​ ​the​ ​bicycle​ ​network​ ​grow​ ​over​ ​the​ ​past​ ​few​ ​years.​ ​I​ ​am  excited​ ​to​ ​see​ ​more​ ​progress.  ●I'm​ ​glad​ ​to​ ​see​ ​improvements​ ​in​ ​the​ ​bikeability​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh​ ​since​ ​I​ ​first​ ​moved​ ​here  20​ ​years​ ​ago.​ ​Keep​ ​moving​ ​in​ ​this​ ​direction!  ●Thank​ ​You​ ​for​ ​the​ ​work​ ​you​ ​have​ ​accomplished​ ​so​ ​far.  ●Even​ ​though​ ​I​ ​personally​ ​do​ ​not​ ​ride​ ​a​ ​bike,​ ​I​ ​am​ ​happy​ ​to​ ​see​ ​that​ ​safety​ ​of​ ​the​ ​kids  at​ ​UWO​ ​and​ ​others​ ​is​ ​a​ ​priority.​ ​I​ ​also​ ​like​ ​the​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​it​ ​gives​ ​them​ ​more  opportunity​ ​to​ ​explore​ ​our​ ​great​ ​city.    39      ●Ideally​ ​our​ ​community​ ​should​ ​be​ ​as​ ​easy​ ​and​ ​safe​ ​to​ ​navigate​ ​by​ ​bike​ ​as​ ​it​ ​is​ ​by​ ​car  and​ ​right​ ​now​ ​that's​ ​isn't​ ​true.  ●Good​ ​initial​ ​progress.​ ​Keep​ ​going!​ ​Thanks​ ​for​ ​asking.  ●Drivers​ ​should​ ​be​ ​made​ ​more​ ​aware​ ​of​ ​bicyclists​ ​when​ ​driving.  ●Awesome​ ​project!​ ​Good​ ​luck​ ​to​ ​you​ ​and​ ​the​ ​city.​ ​Hope​ ​my​ ​answers​ ​help​ ​make  Oshkosh​ ​a​ ​great​ ​place​ ​to​ ​live!  ●Thanks​ ​for​ ​thinking​ ​about​ ​cyclists.​ ​I​ ​currently​ ​drive​ ​50/50​ ​road/sidewalk​ ​depending  on​ ​road​ ​and​ ​traffic.​ ​Wish​ ​I​ ​could​ ​stay​ ​on​ ​the​ ​road.  ●Need​ ​to​ ​educate​ ​bikers​ ​on​ ​the​ ​rules​ ​of​ ​the​ ​road.                        40      League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists​ ​Example​ ​Guidance      41          42      Bike​ ​Friendly​ ​Community​ ​Application  Online​ ​access​ ​will​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Oshkosh​ ​Bicycle​ ​and​ ​Pedestrian​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee.                            43      References  Batten,​ ​Greg.​ ​Personal​ ​Interview.​ ​18​ ​Oct​ ​2017.  Bicycle​ ​Wausau.​ ​Wausau​ ​Metropolitan​ ​Planning​ ​Organization,​ ​http://bicyclewausau.org/.  Accessed​ ​8​ ​Nov.​ ​2017.    Flusche,​ ​D.,​ ​(July​ ​2012)​ ​​Bicycling​ ​Means​ ​Business:​ ​The​ ​Economic​ ​Benefits​ ​of​ ​Bicycle  Infrastructure.​ ​​Retrieved​ ​from:  http://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/Bicycling_and_the_Economy-Econ_Impact_St udies_web.pdf  Gazza,​ ​Dean.​ ​Personal​ ​Interview.​ ​26​ ​Oct​ ​2017.   Glasel,​ ​Lora.​ ​Personal​ ​Interview.​ ​26​ ​Oct​ ​2017.  Gössling,​ ​Stefan,​ ​and​ ​Andy​ ​S.​ ​Choi.​ ​“Transport​ ​Transitions​ ​in​ ​Copenhagen:​ ​Comparing​ ​the  Cost​ ​of​ ​Cars​ ​and​ ​Bicycles.”​ ​​Ecological​ ​Economics​​ ​vol.​ ​113​ ​(2015):​ ​106-113.​ ​​Web​ ​of  Science.​​ ​Web.  Grey,​ ​Isaiah.​ ​​ ​Personal​ ​Interview.​ ​​ ​29​ ​Oct​ ​2017.  Halron,​ ​Mike.​ ​Personal​ ​Interview.​ ​20​ ​Oct​ ​2017.  Henao,​ ​Alejandro,​ ​Daniel​ ​Piatkowski,​ ​Kara​ ​S.​ ​Luckey,​ ​Krista​ ​Nordback,​ ​Wesley​ ​E.​ ​Marshall,  and​ ​Kevin​ ​J.​ ​Krizek.​ ​“Sustainable​ ​Transportation​ ​Infrastructure​ ​Investments​ ​and  Mode​ ​Share​ ​Changes:​ ​A​ ​20-year​ ​Background​ ​of​ ​Boulder,​ ​Colorado.”​ ​​Transportation  Policy​ ​37​ ​​(2015):​ ​64-71.​ ​Web.   Ivory,​ ​Pat.​ ​Personal​ ​Interview​ ​​ ​22​ ​Oct​ ​2017.  Jordan,​ ​Scott.​ ​(2015).​ ​​Assessment​ ​of​ ​the​ ​effects​ ​of​ ​Mountain​ ​Biking:​ ​Marquette​ ​Michigan’s  Ecotourism.​ ​​(Report).​ ​Northern​ ​Michigan​ ​University,​ ​Marquette​ ​Michigan.  League​ ​of​ ​American​ ​Bicyclists.​ ​Becoming​ ​a​ ​Bicycle​ ​Friendly​ ​Community,  http://bikeleague.org/community​.​ ​Accessed​ ​14​ ​Nov.​ ​2017.    44      --​ ​Mission​ ​and​ ​History,​ ​​https://www.bikeleague.org/content/mission-and-history​​ ​Accessed​ ​7  Dec.​ ​2017.   Macmillan,​ ​A.​ ​Connor,​ ​J.​ ​Witten,​ ​K.​ ​Kearns,​ ​R.​ ​Rees,​ ​D.​ ​Woodward,​ ​A.​ ​“The​ ​Societal​ ​Costs​ ​and  Benefits​ ​of​ ​Commuter​ ​Bicycling:​ ​Simulating​ ​the​ ​Effects​ ​of​ ​Specific​ ​Policies​ ​Using  System​ ​Dynamics​ ​Modeling.”​ ​​Environmental​ ​Health​ ​Perspectives​,​ ​122,​ ​4,​ ​2014,​ ​pp.  335-344.  Meehan,​ ​Leslie​ ​A.,​ ​and​ ​Leslie​ ​A​ ​Whitfield.​ ​“Integrating​ ​Health​ ​and​ ​Transportation​ ​in  Nashville,​ ​Tennessee,​ ​USA:​ ​From​ ​Policy​ ​to​ ​Projects.”​ ​​Journal​ ​of​ ​Transport​ ​&Amp;  Health.​,​ ​vol.​ ​4,​ ​pp.​ ​325–333.  Naudziunas,​ ​Alexa,​ ​and​ ​Steven​ ​Wiley.​ ​Personal​ ​Interview.​ ​20​ ​Oct.​ ​2017.   Northern​ ​Michigan​ ​University.​ ​Northern​ ​Michigan​ ​University,​ ​​http://www.nmu.edu/​.  Accessed​ ​8​ ​Nov.​ ​2017.  Quick​ ​Facts:​ ​Michigan.​ ​United​ ​States​ ​Census​ ​Bureau,  https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/MI​.​ ​Accessed​ ​8​ ​Nov.​ ​2017.   Rennert,​ ​Ben.​ ​Personal​ ​Interview.​ ​25​ ​Oct​ ​2017.  Sustainability​ ​Advisory​ ​Board.​ ​(2013).​ ​​ICLEI​ ​Milestone​ ​I:​ ​Oshkosh,​ ​Wisconsin​ ​Greenhouse​ ​Gas  Emissions​ ​Analysis.​ ​​(Report).​ ​City​ ​of​ ​Oshkosh,​ ​Oshkosh​ ​Wisconsin.  United​ ​States.​ ​Environmental​ ​Protection​ ​Agency.​ ​“Greenhouse​ ​Gas​ ​Emissions​ ​from​ ​a  Typical​ ​Passenger​ ​Vehicle”​ ​​www.epa.gov​​ ​​EPA,​ ​n.d.​ ​Web.​ ​10​ ​Dec.​ ​2017.  Vandehey,​ ​Paula.​ ​Personal​ ​Interview.​ ​26​ ​Oct​ ​2017.     45