In their work with various policymakers, Share The Road - Essex County has noticed that cycling and safe pedestrian
passage is important to families when making their decisions on where to settle down.
“We recognize that more and more people want to live where they can travel within their community safely by walking or
bicycling,” said the Omsteads. “Families are looking to live in places where their children can choose to walk or bike to school.”
Essex County, with its flat landscape, offers cyclists a prime location for cycling commutes and cycling recreation.
“Cycling tourism is one of the world’s fastest growing tourism segments and Essex County has everything that a cycling
tourist typically looks for,” said the Omsteads. “Wineries, historic sites, small towns, farmers markets, warm climate, long
cycling season, flat terrain, quiet roads, waterfront routes and more. Essex County has a huge opportunity to become a
world-class cycling tourism destination.”
The Omsteads have noticed improvements in the usage of the spaces that CWATS has updated, like the paved shoulders.
“If you travel to where paved shoulders have been added, you'll often see people out walking now,” the Omsteads say. “It
Sue Omstead
riding in
Kingsville on
the new cycle
track along
Seacliff Drive.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY
THE OMSTEADS