Imagine Chattanooga as a national bike city. Our City would be transformed and energized with visitors from all demographics. All ages, races and religions love bikes. There are even bikes available for the differently abled among us.
What a wonderful thought. Chattanooga could become the best bike city destination in the country. We have some of the most beautiful landscape, the Tennessee River and the best openminded friendly and skilled bike force here in Chattanooga.
If you think it can’t happen just look at Bentonville, Ar. Bentonville was a sleepy little town less than 10 years ago until they began accommodating all kinds of bicycling. Yes, there were large infusions of money from a Walmart heiress who also funded a world class museum in Bentonville. Chattanooga did that 30 years ago with the Aquarium and the Riverwalk but then stopped. We need a new purpose here in Chattanooga and none better and more affordable than this.
If our city administration, the City Council and all of the philanthropy in Chattanooga embraced this wholeheartedly, it could easily happen. People are now driving long distances to find mountain bike parks and all types of recreational areas to haul their bikes to, this has become a billion dollar industry spun up by the desire to stay fit and recreate while having fun in a healthy organic way.
Let’s do this! If the city can gin up support for a Lookouts stadium as they have, they can surely do this for a wholesome equitable recreational activity that will draw millions of visitors to our city annually, boosting our local economy year around.
John Mathna