Bike Friendly Morehead

Morehead State University’s Regional Analysis and Public Policy students are working to create a comprehensive plan in partnership with the Morehead Tourism to educate local citizens and college students about the outdoor recreation opportunities within Rowan County. The plan will focus on the benefits of a Trail Town economy for the citizens living within the community, as well as provide marketing ideas to attract tourists to the area. Morehead Tourism met with the students to discuss needs to promote the Trail Town initiative. As a result of this meeting the students developed a research plan to address the needs. The research areas included bicycle safety, policy, marketing, and health and economic benefits. The students focused on best practices from other comparable small rural communities within these research areas. Best practices were researched to promote the assets of Trail Towns to encourage involvement and awareness throughout the community. The results demonstrate that bicycle tourism provides viable economic and health benefits to the community. The implementation of a more bicycle friendly community is possible through the best practices in marketing, planning, amenities, and targeted investment. The research will result in a comprehensive plan, which includes economic and health benefits, marketing strategies, and safety practices that increase awareness and use of Morehead’s Trail Town assets. This plan will provide Morehead Tourism with campaign ideas to promote Trail Town tourism