Don't laugh too quickly, we do have the potential for some bicycle tourism.  Today the Star examines some of that possibility in an article about the Riverfront Heritage Trail.  A noteworthy statistic is that 1.6 million tourists bike and hike in Missouri every year, ranking higher than either boating or golfing.  Most of those likely partake of the Katy Trail State Park or the many hiking opportunities in the Ozarks.  

There is potential for KC to get a bigger share of that 1.6 million. Tourism is already a big business in KC as it is statewide, and several developments hold potential for adding bicycling to the tourism mix.

• The Tour of Missouri pro bike race kicks off in KC next year, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to watch top American and European teams.
• Efforts are underway to connect KC to the Katy Trail State Park, providing a direct link to the nation's longest rails-to-trails conversion.
• The Riverfront Heritage Trail is nearly completion and will link many of the city's core historic sites and tourist attractions.
• Planning continues for a city-wide network of bike routes that will eventually connect even more destinations like the Plaza, Swope Park, Worlds of Fun, etc.
• The city is on the verge of a new bike parking ordinance that would require bike racks at businesses all over the city.