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Setting up for the Tour all day today in the shadow of the state capitol building in Jefferson City, it was again impressed upon me how important the Tour of Missouri has been in showing--in a very concrete way--how important bicycling is to Missouri's economy and to Missouri's citizens.

The Tour shows in a very definite way that there is huge popular support for bicycling in Missouri and that bicycling can (and should!) play an important part in building Missouri's economy.

Support for bicycling in Missouri
We know there are two million bicyclists in Missouri--but that figure becomes much more believable when we see a significant fraction of that number out to see the Tour over the course of a few days.

MoBikeFed Education Chair Coy Hart has been staffing our expo booth at the Tour and asking hundreds of people to sign our petition in support of Complete Streets in Missouri (remember we want to have 5000 signatures in support of Complete Streets by next legislative session).

Of the hundreds of people Coy has asked to sign in support of Complete Streets, virtually 100% have said yes.

Economic impact of bicycling in Missouri
We already know from studies done by outdoor industry research groups that bicycling is a billion dollar industry in Missouri.

But the Tour makes that economic impact very clear and obvious.

The state (and many sponsors) are investing money in the Tour.

Is it money well spent?

Well, the folks who run hotels and restaurants in Missouri would say yes. The Tour is definitely filling hotel beds and restaurant chairs--to the tune of about $30 brought into the economy for every $1 spent on the Tour.

Will Missouri's two million bicyclists be the real winner?
J.J. Haedo took today's stage--and the yellow jersey--in an amazing uphill sprint finish.

But the real winner today needs to be the people of Missouri--when Governor Nixon agrees to support the 2010 Tour of Missouri.

Now would be a great time to email or call Governor Nixon's office (573-751-3222) and ask Governor Nixon to support the 2010 Tour.

Comments: 2 comments on this article

Brian King wrote:

09/11/09 09:23am • 97.86.9.43

Did Gov. Nixon come out to say a few words of support for the Tour of Missouri as it went right by his office yesterday? I'll be very disappointed if he ignored the whole thing or was out on "business" for the day. He should be supporting this major event happening in HIS state.

Web link: http://www.brianking.name

Brent wrote:

09/13/09 07:09am • 65.70.156.138

Reports were that Governor Nixon and his staff were in their offices working on Thursday. The Tour, of course, went completely around the Capitol and the festival was going on on the Capitol grounds so they could scarcely have missed it.

Lt Gov Kinder invited Governor Nixon to ride in a team car or participate in some other way but Governor Nixon declined.

Related:: News: Harkin "Complete Streets" Amendment fails; MO Sen. Bond speaks against; News: Federal Complete Streets Amendment offered--your support needed; News: Bicyclist harassment ordinance introduced in Columbia; AdvocacyAlerts: 14 Oct 2009: Ask Governor Nixon to support the 2010 Tour of Missouri; News: Photos from Bicycle Day at the Capitol 2009

Stage 4: Will Missouri's two million bicyclists be the real winner?

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