Springfield business group says trails and bike lanes key to attracting high quality workforce

Twenty- and thirty-somethings increasingly choose a city first and job second, and they place a high premium on cities with a strong bicycling and walking culture.

Springfield's business community has begun to realize this.  A new Chamber of Commerce report lists expanded trails and bike routes as the top priority for making the city more attractive to the young, talented workforce essential for the Springfield to thrive in the 21st century. 

The first suggestion....was the continued expansion of city trails and bicycle routes for recreation and transportation.

"Trails are parks to young people. People love these trails and it would be great if we could use them to get somewhere."

the group found that many young professionals want to be able to bike to work, but existing trails and urban bike routes are insufficient.

Read more and find the full report at the Springfield News-Leader.

Fortunately Springfield has a good start with growing network of trails and bike lanes, and national recognition as a Bronze Level Bike Friendly Community. It's a pretty good foundtion to build upon if the city makes it a real priority.

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