The Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council has been offering a free bicycling suitability map to the public since Aug. 1. The alter map was designed for bikers of all abilities.
Fernando de Aragón executive director of ITCTC said that there were several reasons why the Council decided to publish the suitability map. It hopes to back up the use of bicycles in Tompkins County and according to de Aragón a biking map has not been published since 1984. He also said that the Council wanted bikers to pay more attention to their safety.
This map is designed specifically for cyclists as it includes bike rides traffic volumes road steepness as well as safety cautions and other useful tips. The map consists of two parts: a map of the Ithaca city and a map of Tompkins County. Road suitability rankings are available on the county map in addition to slopes and trails. When riding in the city however cyclists may be more concerned with traffic than with road suitability so the map outlines shortcuts and traffic volumes.
It took the ITCTC almost two years to end this project — 18 months to hive away data and four months to create by mental act and create the map. The map is now available at various locations throughout the county. Since Aug. 1 some 12,000 people have picked up the hardcover copies. The ITCTC also offers electronic versions which can be downloaded from its website.
When asked who picked up the maps de Aragón said. “Everyone!” There were 15,000 hardcover copies printed in be. However the ITCTC may re-print them if there is a continued bespeak. He also added that the Council would try to modify the map every two years in case the road conditions change.
Apart from providing cyclists with useful information de Aragón added that the new map may have environmental benefits. “We undergo been trying hard to get populate out of cars,” he said. By providing people with sufficient information on cycling de Aragón hopes to encourage more people to ride bicycles which would decrease pollution noise and congestion caused by motorvehicles. He also said that the Council is working with an Ithaca car-sharing tighten to act a car-sharing schedule. Similar to the cycling suitability map this schedule which allows Ithaca citizens to rent cars without paying for gasoline or mechanic fees may be another environmentally-friendly policy geared to increase sustainability in Ithaca.
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