Economic Impact of Mountain Biking

Cuyuna – Crosby, Minnesota

AgendaIntroduction to IMBA

Value of Singletrack Trails

Economics of $ingletrack Trails

Creating Destinations

Questions

Stairway to Heaven – Copper Harbor, MI

IMBA’s mission is to protect, create, and enhance quality trail experiences for mountain bikers worldwide.

Lake Fairfax, VA

Why Trails?

• Saves Money and Improves the Environment

• Economic Revitalization

• Community Transformation

• Safe Surroundings for Active Lifestyles

Levis Mounds - Wisconsin

Saves Money and Improves the Environment

Saves money by increasing the efficient use of public space, reducing the need for costly infrastructure, and improving the health of the community.

Improves the environment by reducing the impact of pollution and noise, limiting greenhouse gases, and improving the quality of public spaces.

Lowes Creek – Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Trails Revitalize

Trails boost the economy by creating a community that is attractive for new residents, tourists and businesses.

Copper Harbor Trails – Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan

Community Transformation

Well designed trails can transform ‘community’ from an abstract idea into a real place.

Grand Rapids Bike Park – Grand Rapids, MI

Safe Surroundings for Active Lifestyles

Trails promote health and fitness by providing safe surroundings for families to enjoy active lifestyles

Colonnade - Seattle, WA

• Every $1 Invested in Trails Leads to Almost $3 in Direct Medical Benefit

• Trails Provide Healthy and Safe Access to the Outdoors

• In Southern Missouri 55% Trail Users are Exercising More Than Before They had Access to a Trail

• Japanese Researchers Found That Having Access to Green Spaces Positively Influenced the Longevity of Older Citizens in Big Cities

Rail to Trails Conservancy

Community Benefit of Single Track Trails

Mountain Biking By The Numbers

•More Than 1 in 5 Americans 16 and Over Mountain Bike (Over 50 Million People Total)

•By Number of Outings, Biking is the Favorite Outdoor Activity of American Kids age 6-17

•There are 1 1/2 Times More Mountain Bikers than Golfers in America

•The Voting Strength of Mountain Bikers is More Than 1 1/3 the Voting Strength of Americans Age 65 and Over

Economic Impact of Singletrack Trails

• Male (86%)

• 37 years old (Median)

• 71% college or post- graduate degree

• $62,000 Household Income (Median)

• $75,000 + Household Income (33%)

IMBA Member Profile

Patapsco Valley State Park, MD

The South Atlantic Bicycling EconomyDE, DC, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV

• Contributes $11.3 billion to the region

• Supports 135,000 jobs

• Generates more than $1.6 billion annual state and federal tax revenues

• Produces nearly $9.6 billion in retail sales and services•$1.4 billion in bicycling gear and services•$8.2 billion in bicycling trip-related expenditures

• The region is home to over 10 million bicyclists – 25% of adult population

(OIF, 2006)

Arcadia Dunes - Michigan

Outdoor Recreation Contributes $730 Billion to the U.S. Economy (OIF, 2006)

Trail sports (including biking, hiking and wildlife viewing) represent three of the most popular outdoor recreation activities with over

182 million participants.(OIF, 2006)

(OIF, 2006)

Biking and trail sports are two of the most popular outdoor activities in Virginia.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Sliding Scale of Asset Value

Local Resource World-Class DestinationCottage Grove, MN

Building Community Trail Systems

Lebanon Hills – Twin Cities, Minnesota

Develop Sustainable Singletrack Trails

vs.

Hickory Ridge – Bloomer, Wisconsin

Sign the Trails Well

Copper Harbor, Michigan

Sustainable Trails

A sustainable trail allows users to enjoy a natural area with:

• Minimal impact to the ecosystem (Environmental)•Minimal user conflict (Social)

• Minimal maintenance (Economic)VASA Singletrack – Traverse City, MI

The Barrier for Entry

Madison, WICastle Rock, CO North Augusta, GA

Promote Trails for Cyclists of All Abilities

North Conway, New Hampshire Chequamegon Trails - Wisconsin

Best Practices for Being a Destination

The Rock

• 80% take at least one mountain biking trip/year (1 or more nights)

• 4.6 nights average length of stay

• 45% prefer to camp

• 45% prefer bed and breakfasts or inns

• 8% prefer hotels

Travel Patterns of Destination Mountain Bikers*

*Outdoor Industry Association 2002 Participation Study

Destination Mountain Biking

Bloomer, Wisconsin

1. Variety and Difficulty

of Terrain

2. Number of Trail Miles

3. Scenery

4. Reputation

Destination Mountain Biking

What Do Mountain Bikers Look For?

Duluth, MN

Get Local Business Support

Advertise Other Area Amenities

Further Reading

Outdoor Industry Association DataGreat Alleghany Passage TrailVirginia Creeper Trail Oregon Tourism Report on Mountain BikingIMBA

Thank You!

Levis Mounds - Wisconsin

Ryan DelaneyIMBA Associate Regional Director

Ryan.Delaney@IMBA.com