Bicycle City Indiana

By Bicycle City Staff, Updated Thu, 06/28/2007 - 19:50
Table of Contents

Potential Bicycle City LocationsIntroduction
Potential Indiana Bicycle City Locations
Alternative Energy Organizations & Companies in Indiana
Indiana Animal & Wildlife Groups
Indiana Business Organizations & Resources
Indiana Education Organizations & Resources
Indiana Environmental Groups
Indiana International Groups
Indiana State Government
Indiana’s Other Useful Links
Conclusion

Introduction

The Hoosier State has a number of advantages that could make it serve as a great host for Bicycle City, Indiana. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation touts the state as one of the most inexpensive places to live in the Midwest. Citing the Places Rated Almanac, One Southern Indiana notes that the tri-southeastern region of Indiana near Louisville was ranked the 14th “Best Overall Place to Live.” The One Southern group notes that southern Indiana has a moderate four-season climate. The range of low hills along the Ohio River acts as a regional shield from chilling winter winds. Overall, the entire state sees moderate temperatures throughout the year. The northern part of the state experiences slightly less rainfall than the south.

The state, especially the southern region, offers ample public land and beautiful scenery for residents of a possible Bicycle City, IN. State and national forests offer non-motorized, multi-use trails, including The Hoosier National Forest in the south central region of the state.

A potential Bicycle City, Ind. would fit in well with the state’s overall green/alternative-friendly tone. Various cities and regions appear committed to develop more opportunities for cyclists. For instance, in 2007 Fort Wayne announced more than $2 million will expand and improve area greenways and trails. Groundbreaking for the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is scheduled for May 2007, according to IndianaTrails.org.

Potential Indiana Bicycle City Locations

The best sites for Bicycle City, IN, appear to be 50-100 miles outside of these cities:

Bloomington, IN
  • Population: 70,642
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 44.9 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 36, Feb. – 42, Mar. – 52, Apr. – 64, May – 74, Jun. – 82, Jul. – 86, Aug. – 84, Sep. – 78, Oct. – 67, Nov. – 54, Dec. – 41
  • Water: Monroe Lake, Lake Lemon, White River, Cagles Mill Lake
  • Adjacent Public Land: Hoosier National Forest, Brown County State Park, Morgan Monroe State Forest
  • Zip Codes: 47401, 47403, 47404, 47405, 47406, 47408
  • Other Highlights: Bloomington is the home of Indiana University-Bloomington.
Madison, IN
  • Population: 12,126
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 46 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 39, Feb. – 44, Mar. – 55, Apr. – 65, May – 75, Jun. – 83, Jul. – 87, Aug. – 85, Sep. – 79, Oct. – 67, Nov. – 55, Dec. – 44
  • Water: Ohio River, Hardy Lake
  • Adjacent Public Land: Clifty Falls State Park, Big Oaks Wildlife Refuge, Clark State Forest, Muscatatuk National Wildlife Refuge
  • Zip Codes: 47250, 47017, 47203, 47042, 47043
  • Other Highlights: Madison is home to Hanover College and is located close to the metropolitan areas of Louisville and Cincinnati.
Jasper, IN
  • Population: 12,100
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 47.5 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 38, Feb. – 44, Mar. – 54, Apr. – 65, May – 74, Jun. – 82, Jul. – 86, August 85, Sep. – 79, Oct. – 67, Nov. – 55, Dec. – 43
  • Water: Patoka Lake, Patoka River, Ohio River, Lake Greenwood
  • Adjacent Public Land: Hoosier National Forest, Ferdinand State Forest, Harrison Crawford State Forest
  • Zip Codes: 47546, 47547, 47549, 47521, 47527, 47542
  • Other Highlights: A new rail line and extensive development makes this a growing area with a strong economy.
Indianapolis, IN
  • Population: 783,438
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 40.95 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 34, Feb. – 40, Mar. – 51, Apr. – 63, May – 74, Jun. – 82, Jul. – 86, Aug. – 84, Sep. – 77, Oct. – 66, Nov. – 52, Dec. – 39
  • Water: Eagle Creek, White River, Morse Reservoir, Geist Reservoir, Fall Creek
  • Adjacent Public Land: Mounds State Park
  • Zip Codes: 46201, 46202, 46203, 46204, 46205, 46208, 46214, 46216, 46217, 46218<
  • Other Highlights: Indianapolis is a large, thriving city with an active professional sports community and a diverse arts culture.
Evansville, IN
  • Population: 117,881
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 45.76 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 42, Feb. – 48, Mar. – 59, Apr. – 70, May – 79, Jun. – 87, Jul. – 91, Aug. – 90, Sep. – 83, Oct. – 72, Nov. – 58, Dec. – 46
  • Water: Ohio River, Wabash River
  • Adjacent Public Land: Pike State Forest, Harmonie State Park
  • Zip Codes: 47708, 47710, 47711, 47712, 47713, 47714, 47715, 47720, 47725
  • Other Highlights: Evansville is full of educational resources, including the University of Evansville and University of Southern Indiana.
Marion, IN
  • Population: 30,609
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 39 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 32, Feb. – 27, Mar. – 48, Apr. – 60, May – 72, Jun. – 81, Jul. – 85, Aug. – 82, Sep. – 76, Oct. – 64, Nov. – 50, Dec. – 37
  • Water: Mississinewa Lake, Salamonie Lake, Salamonie River, Huntington Lake
  • Adjacent Public Land: Frances Slocum State Recreation Area, Little Turtle State Recreation Area, Salamonie River State Forest, Miami State Recreation Area
  • Zip Codes: 46952, 46953, 46792, 46911, 46919, 46940
  • Other Highlights: The city is linked with the Cardinal Greenway and the nearby White River Greenway is under development.
Fort Wayne, IN
  • Population: 219,495
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 36.55 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 31, Feb. – 36, Mar. – 47, Apr. – 60, May – 72, Jun. – 81, Jul. – 84, Aug. – 82, Sep. – 75, Oct. – 63, Nov. – 49, Dec. – 36
  • Water: St. Joseph River, Maumee River, Lake Wawasee, Elkhart River, Hamilton Lake, Tippecanoe Lake
  • Adjacent Public Land: Chain O’Lakes State Park, Pokagon State Park, Ouabache State Park
  • Zip Codes: 46802, 46803, 46804, 46805, 46806, 46807, 46808, 46809, 46814, 46815
  • Other Highlights: The city maintains the 20-mile Rivergreenway Trail and is home to the Fort Wayne branch of Indiana University-Purdue University.
Monticello, IN
  • Population: 5,723
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 37.85 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 33, Feb. – 39, Mar. – 51, Apr. – 64, May – 74, Jun. – 83, Jul. – 86, Aug. – 84, Sep. – 78, Oct. – 66, Nov. – 51, Dec. – 38
  • Water: Lake Shafer, Tippecanoe River, Iriquois River, Wabash River, Lake Freeman, Bass Lake, Lake Maxinkuckee
  • Adjacent Public Land: Tippecanoe River State Park
  • Zip Codes: 47960, 46923, 46985, 47923, 47946
  • Other Highlights: Summers come alive in Monticello when residents and visitors flock to Indiana Beach to enjoy the sand and the surf.
Terre Haute, IN
  • Population: 58,096
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 42.47 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 35, Feb. – 41, Mar. – 52, Apr. – 64, May – 75, Jun. – 84, Jul. – 87, Aug. – 85, Sep. – 79, Oct. – 68, Nov. – 53, Dec. – 41
  • Water: Wabash River, Turtle Creek Reservoir, Cecil M. Harden Lake
  • Adjacent Public Land: Shakamak State Park, Turkey Run State Park, Greene Sullivan State Forest, Owen-Putnam State Forest
  • Zip Codes: 47801, 47802, 47803, 47804, 47805, 47808, 47807, 47809, 47811, 47812
  • Other Highlights: Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology are both based in Terre Haute.
Richmond, IN
  • Population: 38,201
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 39.55 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 34, Feb. – 39, Mar. – 50, Apr. – 62, May – 73, Jun. – 81, Jul. – 85, Aug. – 83, Sep. – 76, Oct. – 64, Nov. – 51, Dec. – 39
  • Water: Brookville Lake, Summit Lake, Whitewater River, Prairie Creek Reservoir
  • Adjacent Public Land: Whitewater Memorial State Park, Summit Lake State Park
  • Zip Codes: 46802, 46803, 46804, 46805, 46806, 46807, 46808, 46809, 46814, 46815
  • Other Highlights: With gardens, parks and lakes, Richmond offers a great deal of outdoor recreational opportunities.
Potential Locations Source List

Cited Sources

Other Sources

Alternative Energy Organizations & Companies in Indiana
Indiana Animal & Wildlife Groups
Indiana Business Organizations & Resources
Indiana Education Organizations & Resources
Indiana Environmental Groups
Indiana International Groups
Indiana State Government
Indiana’s Other Useful Links
Conclusion

The potential for development of Bicycle City, Indiana, is driven by the affordable cost of living. Also important to the possible Bicycle City, Ind., creation is the ongoing state and regional commitment to non-motorized transportation, widely-available land at reasonable prices near major population centers and the combination of the state’s mild midwestern climate and rolling topography.

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