On March 19, the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee hosted an informational meeting to provide updates on projects along the PA Route 6 corridor which aim to enhance bicycle tourism across the state.
The PA Route 6 corridor spans 427 miles across the northern part of Pennsylvania and has received several accolades over the years including, “One of America’s most scenic drives” by National Geographic and the pick for “Most amazing road trips to take in every state” for Pennsylvania by The Weather Channel.
Terri Dennison, executive director of the Route 6 Alliance, and Jim Foringer, district executive for PennDOT District 1, led the discussion at the meeting.
Dennison discussed the significant economic impact of bicycle tourism in Pennsylvania, citing studies that reported $83 billion in trip-related sales and $97 billion in retail spending back in 2017, as well as $1.06 billion in visitor spending in 2015 along the corridor.
Foringer provided a comprehensive overview of Section 1 of the Pennsylvania Route 6 Bicycle Master Plan Design Guide, which highlighted improvement strategies for enhancing PA Route 6 for bicyclists as well as some of the challenges facing bicycle travel along the route.
Rep. Parke Wentling (R-Crawford, a member of the Committee who brought this discussion to the forefront, emphasized the significance of the Route 6 corridor in helping to link businesses, communities and citizens together.
“So many cyclists, including myself, have taken the opportunity to ride along parts of the Route 6 corridor, and during my stops I have eaten at new restaurants, visited heritage sites and just soaked in all that the route has to offer,” said Rep. Wentling. “Just exchanging conversations with locals and fellow cyclists about what we’ve seen and experienced along the corridor really bonds people and helps to make connections that last a lifetime.”
Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango), Chair of the Committee said, “The biggest takeaway from this meeting is the fact that Pennsylvania continues to look for ways to take advantage of its diverse landscapes in order to strengthen the economy, create local jobs and provide Pennsylvanians with the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. Bicycle tourism serves a prime example for helping to achieve these goals.”
Click Here for the presentation by the Route 6 Alliance. Click Here for a summary of the Route 6 Bicycle Master Plan.
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