PA ROUTE 6 ALLIANCE UPDATE March 19, 2019

About the PA Route 6 Alliance 427 miles including US Route 6N 11 Counties of the Northern Tier Links to state and national parks and forests Tourism Regions: Pennsylvania Great Lakes, Pennsylvania Wilds, Upstate PA & Pocono Mountains

“One of America’s most scenic drive” – National Geographic Traveler “One of the top ten scenic routes in America!” - Car and Driver Magazine Best Touring Route – Harley Davidson Most Amazing Roadtrip for Pennsylvania– The Weather Channel

Traveling parties = 2-3 adults and 3 children * new trend* 4.3 million visitors Traveling parties = 2-3 adults and 3 children * new trend* 79% are overnight stays 40% are from out of state Traveling to be outdoors (30%) and visit heritage sites (27%) Total direct visitor spending = $1.06 billion Supports 9,641 job (2015 Heritage Area Study)

SUPPORTED BY 9 CVB’S REPRESENTING ELEVEN COUNTIES $3.9 Billion in Visitor Spending $1.6 Million in Investments 45,000 jobs $756 million in state & federal taxes (2017 tourism economics study)

BACKGROUND TWELVE PENNSYLVANIA HERITAGE AREAS

BACKGROUND Goals for State Heritage Areas: Cultural Conservation Recreation and Open Space Interpretation and Education Economic Development Partnerships Tourism Promotion

PA ROUTE 6 HERITAGE COMMUNITIES Conneaut Lake Edinboro Union City Corry Youngsville Warren Kane Smethport Coudersport Austin Galeton Mansfield Wyalusing Tunkhannock Carbondale Waymart Honesdale White Mills Hawley Milford 20 TOTAL COMMUNITIES…

PA Route 6 & PA Wilds Façade Program 41 Façade Projects 10 Signage Projects 48 Businesses impacted $354, 590 in projects

PA BIKE ROUTE Y

US BIKE ROUTE 36 ADD MAP

BICYCLE TOURISM = ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 2017 OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMY STUDY $83 BILLION – trip related sales $97 BILLION – retail spending 848,000 – jobs

BICYCLE TOURISM = ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GREAT ALLEGHENY PASSAGE (GAP) 1 Million Users 62% stayed overnight Spent $124.58 per night 40% of businesses planned to expand 62% attributed expansion to trail

DEVELOP WAYFINDING SYSTEM ENCOURAGE SUPPORT BUSINESS GROWTH OUR ROLE EDUCATE BUILD PARTNERSHIPS WORK WITH COMMUNITIES DEVELOP WAYFINDING SYSTEM HOSPITALITY TRAINING ENCOURAGE SUPPORT BUSINESS GROWTH PROMOTION

PENNDOT MASTER PLAN PT. 1

Community Readiness PUBLIC SPACES: Benches Restrooms Public spaces/ parks Picnic Areas - Bike racks/ repair stations

Community Readiness SAFETY Maintained sidewalks Marked crosswalks Pedestrian Signals Reasonable speed limits Wide shoulders Bike Lanes Marked bike routes Marked street signs Additional street lights

COMMUNITY READINESS OTHER ISSUES: Connectors and Networks Parking Bike racks Business hours/ services Visitor information Directional signage

SIGNAGE: ends of route and in between PROMOTE!! COMMUNITY READINESS SIGNAGE: ends of route and in between PROMOTE!!

BUSINESS READINESS Have a basic flat repair kit Have maps Offer U-lock or bike check-in Roll into the room Have the right attitude (and Wi-fi) Laundry From “5 Easy Ways to be a Bike Friendly Business” The Path Less Pedaled blog pathlesspedaled.com

BIKE TOURISM WORKSHOP ISSUES / CONCERNS SAFETY ROAD CONDITION WAYFINDING NEEDS HOSPITALITY TRAINING BICYCLE ACCEPTANCE

OPPORTUNITY TO USE GRAVEL AND FOREST ROADS BUNDLE SEVERAL ACTIVITIES BIKE TOURISM WORKSHOP POSITIVES OPPORTUNITY TO USE GRAVEL AND FOREST ROADS SERIES OF LOOPS VARIETY FOR ALL RIDERS BUNDLE SEVERAL ACTIVITIES EXISTING BRAND

BIKE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLIST 12 – PA’S RANK 6 – BIKE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES 72 BIKE FRIENDLY BUSINESSES 7 – BIKE FRIENDLY UNIVERSITIES

LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLIST RESOURCES LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLIST www.bikeleague.org ADVENTURE CYCLING www.adventurecycling.org

Terri Dennison PA Route 6 Alliance terri.paroute6@verizon.net FUTURE PA ROUTE 6 SCENIC BYWAY AND SCENIC BIKEWAY Terri Dennison PA Route 6 Alliance terri.paroute6@verizon.net