Kansas Bicycle Map Photo Contest now underway

Kansas is home to many incredible views and opportunities to see some of the greatest sunsets in the world, but have you ever seen Kansas up close while riding a bike? If you have or if you plan to in the near future, we want to see what you see when you travel Kansas on two wheels! Our first Kansas Bicycle Photo contest is currently underway, and we need to hear from you!

Comprehensive Transportation Planning Manager Matthew Messina said that the best thing about biking in Kansas is that the state has plenty to offer, whether you’re a commuter, a recreational rider or even a racer.

“Kansas has a wide range of terrain and scenic landscapes that help make biking fun and enjoyable every time you ride,” Messina said.

KDOT’s Bureau of Transportation Planning is responsible for producing the State Transportation maps, including the Kansas Bicycle Map.

“The current issue of the Kansas Bicycle Map is for 2018-2019, which means an updated version will become available in Spring 2020 for 2020-2021—and this map needs a new cover” Messina said. 

 “We wanted to open the opportunity to Kansans to submit their favorite photos of biking in our great state and to be featured on our widely distributed map. For example, KDOT has distributed nearly 25,000 copies of the 2018-2019 Kansas Bicycle Map to 24 states—that’s pretty solid publicity.”

The contest is open to Kansans of all ages and abilities, from all walks of life who enjoy biking or taking photos of bicyclists. KDOT is looking for any photo that captures the spirit, fun and adventure of biking in Kansas. Any Kansas resident is eligible to enter if they complete the waiver and release forms that are part of the electronic submission process.

Participants in the contest can enter by visiting https://kdotapp.ksdot.org/BPC/ and uploading up to two photos per contestant. Entries are due by Nov. 1.

Want to learn more about biking in Kansas?

KDOT provides a lot of information related to biking on its “Walking and Bicycling in Kansas” webpage: http://www.ksdot.org/burRail/bike/default.asp

And since biking is major tourism attraction, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism has a lot of information related to cycling activities around the state on their cycling webpage: https://www.travelks.com/things-to-do/sports-recreation/cycling/

Help us tell the story of transportation in Kansas: Photo contest

The Kansas Department of Transportation releases the print copy of its annual report each January to legislators, local officials, stakeholders and media. The magazine-format report is rich in color and photography, and this year, KDOT is engaging the public to help tell its story.

“We’re very excited to get original content from photographers across the state,” said Mallory Goeke, KDOT Communications Specialist. “Our state has very diverse landscapes and scenic byways, and it’s exciting to build an entire magazine around great photos.”

The theme of the contest will be Road Trip, and submitted photos should focus on landscapes, byways and transportation to places in Kansas. KDOT will begin taking photo submissions from the public Sept. 10,and the open call will end Nov. 1. 

Professional and amateur photographers are invited to submit photos. All photos should include caption information and sent to kdot.contest@ks.gov. The winning photo will be featured on the front cover of the annual report. By submitting photos, participants grant KDOT permission to freely use and share photos throughout social media and in publications.

Other selected photos may appear inside the annual report and in the KDOT Quick Facts booklet. All photographers will be credited for any photos used in any KDOT public information materials.

“We’re encouraging photographers to be creative about transportation,” Goeke said.

Entries may be submitted for consideration in low resolution, but all selected photos must be made available in high resolution with a minimum of 300 DPI and without watermarks. Photographers will not be paid for any photos selected for use. KDOT does not sell any of its public information materials and will not make a profit from the use of any photos. Examples of past annual reports and quick facts can be viewed at https://www.ksdot.org/publications.asp. More information will be shared across our social media pages on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.