Cities across the country are
redefining themselves in an age of fierce competition to attract the coveted
creative class. One way of doing this has been through the creation of quality
of life amenities such as parks, trails and bicycle facilities. It is marketed
as being “Green” or “Healthy” and has become trendy, but more importantly in
these times, it has a significant economic impact.
In a White Paper from
CEOs for Cities entitled Portland’s Green Dividend by Joe
Cortright, Portlanders, on average, drive 4 miles less then the rest of
America’s most populated metro areas. They have invested in a bicycle network
unsurpassed in the United States (although NYC is making great strides) coupled
with an excellent transit (bus and rail) system, and have created urban growth
boundaries, creating mixed uses and density all supporting the urban fabric.
What does this mean? Well, by being green, Portlanders save $2.6 Billion
annually that goes back into the local economy!
This can happen here in Buffalo! And
The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Green Options Buffalo, and the University
of Buffalo are conducting a survey to determine current challenges and
behaviors associated with the likelihood of your participation in Active
Transportation (walking, riding a bicycle, rollerblade, etc.).
By filling out the five minute survey
found online at www.bnmc.org those who live, play,
and work in the City of Buffalo have an opportunity to report on the benefits
and challenges of bicycle and pedestrian travel on Buffalo’s roadways. This work is being funded through a
grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), and this information is
being used to develop a Healthy Communities Addendum to the City of Buffalo’s
comprehensive plan so that health, through an increase in Active
Transportation, is an outcome of the official decision-making process.
As an
extra bonus, all respondents are entered in a raffle for a bicycle and helmet
provided by Green Options Buffalo.
This is
a continuation of this partnership’s work through RWJF’s “Active Living by
Design,” a national program designed to establish
innovative approaches to increasing physical activity through community design,
public policies, and communications strategies that can become models for
success nationwide. The Buffalo Partnership received this five-year grant in 2003
through a highly competitive process; nearly 1,000 communities applied, and
Buffalo was one of 25 to receive funding.
