Cycling, trails study show economic impact

DES MOINES — Cycling and trail use across the state of Iowa is widespread, with recreational cycling occurring in every Iowa county, according to a follow-up study released by the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.

The Economic Impacts of Cycling & Trails Study Phase II, conducted by Scioto Analysis and supported by a grant from the Iowa Department of Transportation found 40% of recreational cyclists ride at least twice per month, generating consistent economic impact, job creation, workforce and quality of life across the state, even in the most rural counties.

The study shows that cycling makes a significant economic contribution to local communities, with cyclists contributing millions to county economies through their spending.

Even the smallest counties. such as Adams, sees over $500,000 in annual impact. In Polk County, that figure exceeds $150 million annually.

Cycling has a large impact on high-ridership counties like Dallas and Black Hawk which experience $25 million in annual economic impact in diverse industries including retail, restaurants, transportation, accommodation and repair services.

This latest installment of the study is a continuation of an initial study released in 2012 which demonstrated that the statewide impact of cycling and trails in Iowa was $364.9 million annually. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition renewed and released new statewide results this past January which showed that figure had grown to $1.4 billion annually to Iowa’s GDP, with 900,000 Iowans riding bikes, ranking it in the top 50 industries in the state.

This renewal effort was supported financially by more than 30 organizations, including the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

This most recent release was supported by a grant from the Iowa DOT and is intended to serve as a tool for the enhancement of grant applications to key state programs like the TAP, SRT, CAT, REAP Destination Iowa.

These programs drive economic development and growth in target industries that promote workforce, jobs, talent attraction and retention and are used for shovel ready projects, like the recent Prairie Rock Trails mountain bike park in Mason City that was supported by the largest ever $4.5 million Destination Iowa grant.

The Iowa Bike Coalition advocates not only to preserve these programs in the state legislature but to grow and expand them to help drive economic growth and development and continue to maximize the impact for Iowans.

Luke Hoffman, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, said “Outdoor recreation and tourism in Iowa is our hidden superpower. These state level strategies are central to attracting and retaining talent and developing our workforce.”

According to another recent study by Iowa’s Association of County Conservation Boards, Iowa’s Outdoor Recreation economy is over $8 billion.

Rob Moore, of Scioto Analysis, the firm that conducted the Economic Impact of Cycling & Trails Study, will be presenting at the Iowa Bike & Trails Summits in Cedar Falls Oct. 9 and 10 about the county level study results and how they can be leveraged by cities, counties and communities to maximize the opportunity presented by the prevalence of this impact on Iowa by cycling and trails.

The Iowa Bike & Trails Summits bring together state policymakers, industry professionals, enthusiasts and advocates from Iowa to inspire attendees to make Iowa a more bike-friendly state.