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“Helmets and Spandex could be a common sight on Metro Area Transit buses this summer,” declares the first line of a recent story in the Omaha World-Herald.  The upbeat nature of the article certainly reflects the organization that is partially responsible for the new bike culture in Omaha, Nebraska.  Activate Omaha, an Active Living by Design community partnership, has steered the city from a place that is known more for cars than for its bicycling opportunities to the home of a new 20-mile bike loop.

Activate Omaha’s Project Manager Tammie Dodge says that the Omaha area isn’t known as a particularly good place for cycling.  This became clear when a local bike club applied to be designated as a “Bicycle Friendly Community” by the League of American Bicyclists and was turned down.  The League said Omaha was doing nothing to support commuter cyclists.  Though disappointing, the rejection prompted action in the small Omaha bike-enthusiast community.  The League’s list of recommendations to make Omaha more bike friendly served as their marching orders.

In October 2005, a representative from the League began workshops with interested individuals.  To everyone’s surprise, the turnout was great, and the city was well represented.  The Parks and Recreation Department, Public Works, bike advocates, and bike retailers convened in the same room for the first time.  “People were excited to finally see all the right people in the room,” Dodge recalls.  The initial group of 75 people has maintained that early momentum, holding monthly meetings ever since.

The initial order of business for the working group was to organize the city’s first-ever bike-to-work challenge.  Through a partnership with local worksite wellness coordinators, the group was able to recruit 23 teams consisting of 306 total cyclists.  In spring 2006, Mayor Mike Fahey launched the challenge by biking to work himself on a borrowed bicycle.  In the first year of the Bicycle Commuter Challenge, participants rode a combined 77,300 miles, saving them an estimated $11,600 in gas money.  Dodge said, “We really starting building the case that we are supporting commuter bicycling.”  

To kick off the second year of the Bicycle Commuter Challenge, the mayor proclaimed May as Bike-to-Work month in Omaha.  This year, not only did the mayor have his own bike, but he also  installed a bike rack on his car and was seen frequenting the nearby Keystone Trail.  Participation increased to 410 bike commuters, riding a combined 109,000 miles and saving themselves roughly $13,800 in gas.  The success of the program also attracted local sponsors, including Trek Travel who provided incentive prizes and now collaborates with the group on a monthly newsletter. 

The enthusiasm surrounding the Bicycle Commuter Challenge and the overall bike culture movement in Omaha continues to grow.  Activate Omaha started a youth bike program that lends 20 bikes to local organizations who work with under served youth.  They have also created a bicycle commuter map that is being tested with current Commuter Challenge participants.  A story about the map in the local paper generated 400 original email requests in a single week.  Omaha Metro Area Transit equipped 130 buses with bike racks.  Moreover, the zeal surrounding the growing bike culture in Omaha has attracted the attention of big funders.  As a result of all of these efforts, Activate Omaha was able to leverage enough funding to create a $700,000, 20-mile bicycle loop around the city.  The project will serve as a major connector to existing bike trails and other important destinations in the city.

Dodge has lived in Omaha for nearly 10 years.  In her time there, she’s seen the city start to evolve into their vision of a bike-friendly community.  “I’m seeing more cyclists these days, and I’m seeing more people out there moving,” she says.  “Our environment is starting to support a healthy lifestyle.”  Dodge recently had her feelings about Omaha’s evolving bike culture confirmed in a community member’s email to Activate Omaha: “I saw more people on the trail this morning than I have in the last 5 or 6 years combined.  Thank you!”  Omaha plans to reapply for designation as a “Bicycle Friendly Community” in the fall.

Resources

Activate Omaha Community Partnership Profile
Activate Omaha Website
Omaha World-Herald Article: Omaha’s making room for bicycles on buses
Omaha World-Herald Article: New bike map may push people to ride more
Omaha World-Herald Article:  Better commuter routes a goal of cycling groups
City Weekly Article: Rising gas prices have Omahans seeking alternative transportation
League of American Bicyclists – Bicycle Friendly Communities