Bicycle City Virginia

By Bicycle City Staff, Updated Fri, 06/13/2008 - 18:00
Table of Contents

Potential Bicycle City Locations
Introduction
Potential Virginia Bicycle City Locations
Alternative Energy Organizations & Companies in Virginia
Virginia Animal & Wildlife Groups
Virginia Business Organizations & Resources
Virginia Education Organizations & Resources
Virginia Environmental Groups
Virginia International Groups
Virginia State Government
Other Useful Virginia Links
In Conclusion

Introduction

Virginia’s rich diversity is reflected in its 7.6 million people as well as its scenic and eclectic terrain, making the state an excellent candidate for Bicycle City, Virginia development. From the Atlantic Ocean shoreline to the mighty Appalachian Mountains, Virginia is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and a likely place to develop Bicycle City, Va.

Tourists and locals alike find it easy to get with public transportation, as Virginia, is home to 75 of the country’s largest public transportation services, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Commuters and travelers have access to a state ferry system as well as Amtrak and the Virginia Railway Express. There are also thousands of miles of scenic byways, according to the Official Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Major places of interest for potential residents and visitors to prospective Bicycle City, VA, development in Virginia include three National Parks: Shenandoah National Park in northern Virginia, the two-million-acre Washington & Jefferson National Forest in the southwest, and Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area, which includes the state’s highest point – 5,729 ft. above sea level. Parks offer outdoor recreation options such as cycling, hiking, mountain climbing, rafting & canoeing, camping, fishing, boating, swimming and horseback riding, as reported by the National Parks Service.

The state’s three national parks are complimented by 34 state parks with more than 100 biking trails covering about 360 miles, and 18 miles dedicated to mountain biking, according to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. The parks are administered and maintained by the commonwealth’s DCR, an agency committed to stewardship of the parks in the interest of the people who use them, and for future generations to enjoy. The end result is an ideal environment throughout the state for prospective Bicycle City, Va., development.

Potential Virginia Bicycle City Locations
Alexandria, VA / Arlington, VA (Suburban District of Columbia)
  • Population: 4,066,382
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 41.8 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: January – 41; February – 45; March – 55; April – 66; May – 75; June – 83; July – 87; August – 86; September – 79; October – 68; November – 57; Dec. – 46
  • Water: Potomac River, Bull Run River, Burke Lake, Pohick Creek
  • Adjacent Public Lands: Huntley Meadows, Burke Lake Park, Eakin Community Park, Turkey Run Park, Scotts Run Nature Preserve, Arlington National Cemetery.
  • Zip Codes: 22201, 22202, 22203, 22204, 22205, 22206, 22207, 22208, 22209, 22213, 22214
  • Other Highlights: Adjacent to Washington, DC, the nation’s capital, and close to many famous national monuments. The White House, U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court are all a short bicycle ride from Alexandria and Arlington, as are the Memorials honoring Lincoln, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and the veterans of past wars. World-class museums, libraries and other institutions include those dedicated to American achievements and archives, such as the Smithsonian Institute, National Air & Space Museum, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, National Museum of American History, National Gallery of Art, Library of Congress, Museum of Natural History, and countless others.

     

Charlottesville, VA
  • Population: 40,437
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 43.3 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: January – 45; February – 49;
    March – 58; April – 69; May – 76; June – 84; July – 88; August – 86; September – 80; October – 70; November – 59; Dec. – 48
  • Water: Rivanna River, Lake Anna
  • Adjacent Public Lands: Shenandoah National Park Pen Park, Greenleaf Park, Meadow Creek Park, Azalea Park, Tonsler Park, Riverview Park
  • Zip Codes: 22901, 22902, 22903, 22904, 22911
  • Other Highlights: Monticello, University of Virginia, Virginia Discovery Museum, Bayly Art Museum

     

Lynchburg, VA
  • Population: 236,910
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 43.3 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: January – 44; February – 49; March – 58; April – 68; May – 75; June – 82; July – 86; August – 85; September – 78; October – 68; November – 58; December – 48
  • Water: James River, Roanoke River, Big Otter River, Leesville Lake, Smith Mountain Lake
  • Adjacent Public Lands: Peaks View Park, Holliday Lake State Park, Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Washington & Jefferson National Forest
  • Zip Codes: 24501, 24502, 24503, 24504
  • Other Highlights: Poplar Forest, the Lynchburg Museum, Liberty University, Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, Lynchburg College, Fort Early, Anne Spencer House

     

Newport News, VA / Norfolk, VA / Virginia Beach, VA
  • Population: 1,647,346
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 45.7 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: January – 48; February – 50;
    March – 58; April – 67; May – 75; June – 83; July – 87; August – 85; September – 79; October – 69; November – 61; December – 52
  • Water: Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, Broad Bay, Lynnhaven Bay, James River, Stumpy Lake, Redwing Lake
  • Adjacent Public Lands: Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Nansemond National Wildlife Refuge, Seashore State Park, Grandview Nature Preserve, Newport News Park, Mariners Museum Park
  • Zip Codes: 23601, 23602, 23603, 23604, 23605, 23606, 23607, 23608, 23502, 23503, 23504, 23505, 23507, 23508, 23509, 23510, 23511, 23513, 23517, 23518, 23519, 23520, 23521, 23523
  • Other Highlights: The Hermitage Foundation Museum, Virginia Air & Space Museum, Hampton Roads Naval Museum, Hampton University, Virginia Wesleyan College, Grand View Fishing Pier, Cape Henry Memorial, Waterman’s Wharf, Historic Hilton Village and the Royal London Wax Museum. This area is also home to many vital U.S. military installations, including Oceana Naval Air Station, Langley Air Force Base, a naval fleet training center and amphibious base, plus Ft. Monroe, Ft. Story and Ft. Eustis.
Richmond, VA
  • Population: 1,175,654
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 43.7 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: January – 45; February – 49;
    March – 58; April – 69; May – 76; June – 84; July – 88; August – 86; September – 80; October – 69; November – 60; December – 50
  • Water: James River, Totopotomoy Creek, Swift Creek, Kingsland Creek, Cornelius Creek, Lake Chesdin
  • Adjacent Public Lands: Pocahontas State Park, Richmond National Battlefield Park, Vawter State Park, Dorey Park, Rockwood Park, Deep Run Park, Presquile National Wildlife Refuge
  • Zip Codes: 23219, 23220, 23221, 23222, 23223, 23224, 23225, 23226, 23227, 23228, 23229, 23230, 23231, 23232, 23233, 23234, 23235, 23236, 23237, 23238
  • Other Highlights: Virginia State Capitol, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Meadow Farm Museum, Virginia Aviation Museum, Chesterfield Co. Museum, Department of Defense Supply Center.

     

Roanoke, VA
  • Population: 292,983
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 42.5 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: January – 45; February – 49; March – 58; April – 66; May – 76; June – 83; July – 88; August – 86; September – 79; October – 69; November – 58; December – 49
  • Water: Roanoke River, Goose Creek, Smith Mountain Lake, Carvin Cove Reservoir
  • Adjacent Public Lands: Roanoke Mountain Recreation Area, Mill Mountain Park & Zoo, Explore Park, Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Washington & Jefferson National Forest
  • Zip Codes: 24011, 24012, 24013, 24014, 24015, 24016, 24017, 24018, 24019
  • Other Highlights: Bicycles are well represented in Virginia’s Museum of Transportation, located downtown. A few blocks away is the Historic Farmers Market. West suburban Salem is home to Salem Museum and Roanoke College. Hollins College is just north of the city.
Potential Location Source List
Alternative Energy Organizations & Companies in Virginia
Virginia Animal & Wildlife Groups
Virginia Business Organizations & Resources
Virginia Education Organizations & Resources
Virginia Environmental Groups
Virginia International Groups
Virginia State Government
Other Useful Virginia Links
In Conclusion

Virginia’s dedication to providing citizens of the commonwealth and tourists with quality outdoor recreational opportunities is overwhelmingly evident and could only be bolstered by a possible Bicycle City, Virgina, development. The Virginia Chamber of Commerce reports the state ranks 10th out of 50 in attracting tourism dollars, with $15 billion in spent in 2006. Roughly $2 billion of that was state and local taxes that fund the parks and recreational programs. This successful formula benefits the Old Dominion’s beautiful natural landscape, as well as the people who take advantage of the many hiking, swimming and other outdoor activities available to them. In the long term, it also helps firms developing alternative energy solutions and of course, the environment itself. These factors are all conducive to creating a thriving location for a potential Bicycle City, Virginia.

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