Bicycle Tourism is Regional Economic Development

Bicycle tourism is an under utilized sector of the tourism market for small towns. Many communities are realizing how impactful bicycle tourism is important to local economic development. However, those communities that become effective creating a regional impact.

As of the date of the publication of this post, I’ll be on my way from Milford to Estherville on RAGBRAI. I’ll be witnessing bicycle tourism on a first-hand basis as the towns along the route benefit from the hordes of visitors. They’ll be counting up the many dollars left behind by the party on two wheels as it rolls on through their communities.

Great Alleghany Passage

One of the top trails in the United States is the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP). It is a 150-mile multi-use rail-trail between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Cumberland, Maryland. Since its adoption of the Trail Town Program, visitors to the GAP have increased tenfold. They’ve measured 65 new businesses and created 270 new jobs in that time. The program has conducted a variety of economic impact studies, one study concluded that the economic impact of the GAP is $40 million annually.

The Bacoon Ride

In central Iowa, 13 communities are working together to benefit from regional bike tourism. Taking place along the Raccoon River Valley Trail, the ride combines the name of the trail with bacon. The thought of bacon alone releases the salivary glands of many, so combining biking with bacon has been an obvious hit. Just check out the savory treats that are available along the route according to the ride’s Facebook page:

“A Bacon Breakfast Taco, a Maple Bacon Donut, a pulled pork sandwitch, a Berkwood Farms Hot Dog, a Pork Burger bacon donut, pulled pork sandwhich, pork burger, a Thelma’s Ice Cream Sandwich, and a Desert Bar Item at Mickey’s Irish Pub, access to a hydration station, and much more.”

Although it is just a one-day event, the ride generates over $500,000 in economic activity each year for the communities situated along the route. Additionally, the route has a philanthropic impact as it supports local charities. This ever-growing event has had participants from 23 states. Confirming that the economic impact is not just from local dollars.

Appalachian Trail Communities

Another major regional trail that rivals the GAP is the Appalachian Trail. Officially named the “Appalachian National Scenic Trail”, it meanders its way across 14 states. A path that is over 2,190 miles in length! It passes through hundreds of areas that are part of a village, town, or city.

But 56 communities along the Appalachian Trail’s corridor have become part of the Appalachian Trail Community (ATC) program. These communities that have embraced the trail have benefited the most from those who use it. In total, the trail hosts over two million visitors with an annual impact of over $27 million.

Through the ATC program, participating communities are provided with branded signage, networking opportunities, and media support. Similar programs in Ohio (Buckeye Trail Towns Program) and Arizona (Arizona Trail Association’s Gateway Communities) have also proven beneficial to rural towns.

Check out the following video produced by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy about Damascus, Virginia. Being part of the ATC program on the trail route has been highly beneficial to this town of 814 residents.

One Important Basket

As stated previously on this blog, economic development should never be an “all your eggs in one basket approach”. This is especially true with tourism. However, tourism is still an important aspect in the economic diversification of your community. It helps the overall economic sustainability of your city, helping to fill the demand gaps in the restaurant, retail, and service sectors. Assisting in stabilizing those areas that may be struggling to survive.

So, while bicycle tourism is not a basket to put all your eggs in, it can be one important basket in the overall jigsaw puzzle that is rural economic development.