City and county officials are making a nice addition to three county downtowns that capitalizes on one of the county’s biggest tourism assets.

A state Department Conservation and Natural Resources grant through the Route 6 Alliance is covering the cost for bike racks and repair stations in Warren, Tidioute and Youngsville. The racks are coming first to Warren with plans to put racks in Tidioute and Youngsville later. Bike repair stations will also follow.

It doesn’t sound like much, but spending $25,000 can have a big impact on local tourism. WIth the Trails at Jakes Rocks bringing in more people each year, one of the best things area officials can do is, pun intended, get bikers off the trails and into downtown businesses. Bike racks and bike repair stations can be one way to entice those visiting the area for trail cycling into local businesses.

Lastly, for as much as Warren Worx is aimed at encouraging cooperation, it’s interesting to note how city Councilman Phil Gilbert and county Commissioner Dan Glotz worked together on the bike rack grant. The idea began with Gilbert, who as the project progressed realized he needed the county’s help. Glotz found the appropriate pot of money and helped secure the grant, expanding the grant from the city to include Youngsville and Tidioute.

Outdoor tourism is important for Warren County’s future. It’s easy to get excited about projects that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. But it’s the smaller additions like bike racks and bike repair stations that can lengthen tourists’ stays and get them to spend more money during their stay here.