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Bike-friendly communities
I read with relish the summer issue of On Common Ground, a National Association of Realtors publication with an emphasis on smart growth. There were three articles on the bicycle as it relates to neighborhoods and communities. One article, Two Wheeled Sustainability, featured Pedal to Properties, a brokerage in Boulder, Colorado where the agents and their Buyers pedal from house to house on classic cruisers in bike-friendly communities. The concept has really struck a chord with the brokerage experiencing a 40% increase in sales this year, despite the down market. The idea seems to be viral as they have been contacted by other brokerages across the country seeking to license their identity. There's also an article by Craig Della Penna, a Massachusetts Realtor who specializes in homes adjacent to rail trails.
This is a topic near-and-dear to my heart. I've been promoting trail- and transit-oriented living since 2003 at my blog ATL Trail + Rail. [That's me with my cruiser in the picture]. I used to get some funny looks when I told folks that I specialized in properties in close proximity to MARTA, bike trails and walkable neighborhoods, but I guess things are coming around with gas prices over $4 a gallon now. The author says in Walk this Way, "the simple act of leaving the car in the garage and taking mass transit, riding a bicycle or walking to your destination could help save the planet." Let me add that it could certainly save you money and maybe even your health when you consider the perfect storm of rising gas prices/obesity rates/global temperatures.
Actually buying a location-efficient home with me as your Buyer's Agent will save you money. I've frequently promoted "Rail Estate" and walkable neighborhoods here at EcoHomeGuy.com, offering incentives in the form of rebates for Buyers of homes close to transit and in walkable neighborhoods. Now I want to extend the same offer to homes within a half mile of trails and bike paths. With Atlanta's growing trail network, this would apply to homes in diverse locations such as Intown, on the Silver Comet [West] or Peachtree City [South].
Burke Sisco
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Reader Comments (3)
I emailed you a couple of months ago that this was coming out, but I never heard back from you. I wasn't sure that you got the missive. btw, one of the stories in there was about our house on the rail trail in Northampton MA.
Best regards,
Craig
Congratulations on the coverage. You are a true pioneer in smart growth. I was certainly remiss in not mentioning The Sugar Maple Trailside Inn [www.sugar-maple-inn.com].