Quality of Life in Missoula, Montana
Missoula, Montana is in the Golden Triangle for Fly-fishing. For that reason many of us make a trip from Tennessee. However, this year I noticed Missoula had an extensive bike and pedestrian trail infra-structure. The streets were properly marked for bike traffic and trails were every where. What really caught my attention was the 8-foot wide asphalt bikeway that ran 20 miles along US 93 between Lolo and Hamilton, Montana. Upon returning to Hendersonville, I decided to do some research about Missoula, a city not much larger than Hendersonville, and I was surprised at what I found.
accommodation and facilities for bicyclists and to encourage residents to bike for transportation and recreation. With its long history of deep and abiding commitment to bicycling, LAB called Missoula a model in America’s efforts to reduce obesity that sets the standard which include:
- Over 50% of arterial streets have bike lanes and over 70% have lanes or wide shoulders either in place or planned
- The Annual Bike Walk Bus Week which had 86 activities last year with 14,900 participants
- The production and distribution of an excellent Bike to Work Guide with 5% of residents commuting on bikes
- The Missoula in Motion consortium which promotes alternative transportation
Elissa Margolin, Executive Director, said, “The League is delighted to honor Missoula with the Bicycle-Friendly Community designation. Thanks to its long-term commitment to better bicycling, people in Missoula benefit every day from reduced traffic, better air quality, and improved public health. These benefits translate to increased quality of life, higher property values, and heightened community spirit.”
Bicycle Friendly Community is a national grassroots campaign to increase use of bikes, promote physical fitness, and help make communities more livable.
As of the census of 2000, Missoula has 57,053 people ( 61,790 estimated in 2004), 24,141 households, and 12,336 families. The median income for a household in the city was $30,366, and the median income for a family was $42,103. The per capita income for the city was $17,166. About 11.7% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over. 38% of Missoula residents age 25 and older have a bachelor's or advanced college degree.
As of the census of 2000, Hendersonville has 40,620 people ( 51,397 estimated in 2005 with a 8.1% growth rate), 15,823 households, and 11,527 families. The average family income is $56,489. In 2005 the per capita income for the city was $27,954. About 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line. 24% of Hendersonville residents age 25 and older have a bachelor's or advanced college degree.
Both Missoula and Hendersonville are blessed with outstanding natural resources.
On July 7, 2003 the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) gave Missoula its Silver Award as a Bicycle-Friendly Community following a detailed audit of the city’s efforts to provide safe
However, Missoula has an official city department within Public Works to support bicycling and pedestrian activities with a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, which has the duties to:
(1) Make recommendations on capital improvement projects, transpor-tation improvement plans, Bicycle and Pedestrian Program and other City programs and projects, insofar as they relate to bicycling and walking. City officials shall provide appropriate plans and other materials for review by the board within a timely manner.
(2) Advise in the development and implementation of City comprehen-sive bicycling and walking plans and policies and the development of long-range transportation plans.
(3) Make recommendations to the City to improve the institutional and professional responsiveness of the City to promote non-motorized transportation and recreational cycling.
(4) Advise the Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator regarding school programs to promote operator awareness and competence through education and public information programs and enforcement.
(5) Make recommendations to the City regarding design standards for all types of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
(6) Make recommendations to the City regarding bicycle and pedes-trian planning as it relates to facility selection and cost impact.
(7) Make recommendations regarding prioritization of bicycle and pedestrian facilities needed in the City.
(8) Consult and advise government agencies in order to promote bicycling and pedestrian activity as viable forms of urban transpor-tation and recreation and reducing dependence on private automobiles as a primary mode of transportation.
(9) Advise the public transportation districts to provide effective linkages between bicyclists and pedestrians and public transporta-tion.
Authorization: Missoula Municipal Code, Sec: 5.60.070
Numbers of Members: Nine
Terms: Three-year
Membership: Representative of - bicycling organizations; bicycle dealers; organizations concerned with education and safety; business organizations; private citizens con-cerned with non-motorized transportation issues (i.e. com-muting, persons with disabilities, aging community, recrea-tions, high school students).
Appointment: Appointed by the Mayor subject to Council confirmation.
Qualifications: Resident of the City of Missoula.
Department Liaison: Public Works – Phil Smith, Bicycle Pedestrian Program Manager
City Council Committee: Public Works
