1. The MILLENNIUM TRAIL
If you build it they will come
THERE IS AN OVERWHELMING ABUNDANCE
OF RESEARCH THAT SHOWS THE POSITIVE
BENEFITS OF INVESTMENT IN TRAIL
IMPROVEMENT

2. The Annual Economic Impact Is Almost
9 Times Greater Than The One Time
Cost To Construct
The North Carolina “Pathways to Prosperity - The Economic Impact of
Investments in Bicycling Facilities” reported that the annual
economic impact of cyclists ($60. million) is estimated to be almost
nine times greater than the one-time expenditure of public funds to
construct the bicycle facilities.
[North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
July 2004 www.ncdot.gov/bikeped/download/bikeped_research_eiafulltechreport.pdf ]

3. Significant Revenue and Cost Savings
State and national impact studies have shown that bicycling – including
the bicycle industry (bike manufacturing, distribution, retail, etc.)
bicycle tourism and the health benefits from cycling – generates
significant revenue and cost savings for the regional and local economy.
[Bicycling Means Business: The Economic Benefits of Bicycle Infrastructure, League of American
Bicyclists & the Alliance for Bike & Walking June 2009
www.advocacyadvance.org/site_images/content/Final_Econ_Update(small).pdf]

4. Good Economic Return Through Job
Creation And Local Retail Spending
A recent European Cyclists’ Federation study shows clearly that every
cycle lane you build and every new cyclist you create contributes to job
growth - a better economic return than almost any other transportation
option. The lion’s share of jobs in the bicycling economy are in bicycle
tourism – including accommodation and restaurants. Cycling jobs are
more geographically stable than other sectors, and offer a more
inclusive and easily accessible labour market for low-skilled workers.
The study also signals benefits that bikes can have for local businesses
because cyclists go more to local shops, restaurants, cafes than users of
other transport modes.
[Europe's cycling economy has created 650,000 jobs. Cycling industry employs more people than
mining and quarrying with potential for a million jobs by 2020, says new study
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/12/europes-cycling-economy-has-created-650000-
jobs?view=mobile]

5. Economic Development Opportunities
A Montana study said bicycle tourism is starting to receive
attention of researchers, destinations and entrepreneurs. It is a
form of travel that slows the pace down to a level where travelers
can view, hear, smell and feel the countryside in which they are
travelling. Bicycle travelers spend an average of $75.75 per person
per day and stay eight nights of more in the state. The average
2013 nonresident Montana vacationer spent $69.12 per person per
day and stayed 6.17 nights.
[Montana business Quarterly”Bicycle Tourism: Providing Economic Development Opportunities
For Montana” http://www.readperiodicals.com/201407/3446395061.html]

6. Impact In Ontario
In 2010, 2 million Canadian/Ontario visitors participated in cycling
activities in Ontario, spent around $391 million, an increase of 25% and
18% respectively from 2009.
[http://www.transportationoptions.org/uploads/8/7/2/0/8720033/economic_impact_of_cycle_tourism_
in_ontario_2012.pdf]

7. IMPROVED TRAIL SYSTEMS BENEFIT:
 TOURISM
 CONSUMER SPENDING
 JOB CREATING INVESTMENT
 COMMUNITY CHARACTER

8. TOURISM
Trails Can Be Top Tourist Attractions
Trip Advisor’s listing of 215 Cape Cod tourist activities ranks the 17
kilometer Falmouth Shining Sea Bikeway as #1, the 8 kilometer
Provincetown Cape Cod Provincelands Trail as #5 and the 35 kilometer
Cape Cod Rail Trail as #10.
[www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g185492-Activities-Cape_Cod_Massachusetts.html]

9. TOURISM
Cycling Attracts Tourists That Stay Longer
A North Carolina Outer Banks Visitor Centre survey showed that 12% of
visitors report staying three to four days longer to bicycle; 43% report
that bicycling is an important factor in their decision to come to the
area and 53% report that bicycling will strongly influence their decision
to return to the area in the future.
[Pathways to Prosperity North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Bicycle and
Pedestrian Transportation July 2004
www.ncdot.gov/bikeped/download/bikeped_research_eiafulltechreport.pdf ]

10. TOURISM
Trails Bring Tourists To Small Communities
Small communities generally have weak economies and often
struggle to attract tourism income. Bicycle tourism can bring a new
income stream from bicycle tourists travelling at a human pace. Most
bicycle tourists travel 70-100 kilometers per day. Compared with
other “traditional tourists” bicyclists take 4 times as long to cover the
same distance. They are a hungry and thirsty lot. They need to eat
often and we will find lodging every night.
[www.twowheeltravelblog.com/2013/11/05/the-case-for-bicycle-tourism/]

11. TOURISM
Trails Attract Locals And New Visitors
For decades, it was an abandoned railroad bed. New numbers show
that since three counties opened the 70 mile loop northwest of Des
Moines this summer, the Raccoon River Valley Trail has been drawing
bigger crowds - and more money - than even they expected. … A lot of
locals are pulling their bikes out of the garage for the first time in 15
years because 'Hey, we've got this trail. Let's go give it a try.' And it's
not just locals. People from places like Omaha and Council Bluffs are
making towns like Minburn and Redfield their vacation destinations.
Minburn, home to almost 400, averaged 100 bikes a day in August, a
tourist for every fourth resident, every day. It's a great way to bring
money into your community which is why they expect more
entrepreneur s to snatch up trail- front property. Six years ago, this 70
mile loop was just a crazy idea.
[October 10, 2013 www.kcci.com/news/central-iowa/if-you-build-it-they-will-come-and-
pedal/22369078]

12. CONSUMER SPENDING
Cycling Tourists Are Affluent And Spend More
Quebec “athletic bicycle tourists” and “vacationing bicycle
tourists” are well educated (45% have a university degree);
are well paid (68% earn over $40,000. per year); most of them
have no children living at home; and are primarily adults over
age 35. Bicycle tourists spend an average of about $83. a day,
making them a more lucrative tourist clientele than average
Quebec tourists, who spend only $66. per day. On average
Quebec bicycle tourists travel an average of 4 trips, cycling
for 5 out of 10 vacation days per year. They prefer either bed
and breakfasts, hotels, motels or campsites.
[Bicycling in Quebec 2005 Velo Quebec June 2006
www.veloquebec.info/documents/bicyclingquebec2005-en.pdf]

13. CONSUMER SPENDING
Cycling Tourists Have Purchasing Power
The North Carolina Outer Banks study found that cyclists
have a good deal of purchasing power, tend to be well
educated with fairly high incomes and they love to
bicycle. 87% earned more than $50,000. annually, 78%
completed college and 73% consider themselves to be of
intermediate skill level riding 10 to 49 miles per month.
[North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Bicycle and
Pedestrian Transportation July 2004
www.ncdot.gov/bikeped/download/bikeped_research_eiafulltechreport.pdf ]

14. JOB CREATING INVESTMENT
Bicycling Is Good For The Economy
People who ride bikes buy bikes. This puts people to work in bicycle
shops and apparel stores. People who ride bikes buy other things too.
Bike - accessible business districts benefit by catering to these
customers. People on bikes are also more likely to make repeat trips
to their local stores. People who ride bikes on vacation buy food, have
travel costs and pay for lodging. Bicycle tourists bring millions of
dollars to cities and towns across the country that wouldn’t otherwise
end up there.
[Bicycling Means Business: The Economic Benefits of Bicycling Infrastructure, League of American
Bicyclists and the Alliance for Bike & Walking July 2012
www.advocacyadvance.org/site_images/content/Final_Econ_Update(small).pdf]

15. JOB CREATING INVESTMENT
Trails Help To Revitalize Local Economies
Communities are realizing the economic potential of trails as highly
desirable destinations that bring dollars into the places that they serve.
In addition to preserving critical open space and providing desirable
transportation options, trails and greenways attract visitors from near
and far – visitors who facilitate job growth in tourism-related
opportunities like restaurants, local store and lodging. Communities
are increasingly using this model of revitalization that places trails as
the centerpiece of a tourism-centred strategy for small-town
revitalization.
[Trails and Economic Development, Rails to Trails Conservancy August 2007
http://www.railstotrails.org/resourcehandler.ashx?id=4620]

16. JOB CREATING INVESTMENT
Trails Lead To Business Establishment And Expansion
A 1993 survey of 38 businesses along the Cape Cod Rail Trail in
Massachusetts found that 24 percent of business owners cited the rail-
trail as one reason that they opened or acquired their business and 60
percent of the businesses had expanded, citing the rail-trail as a
significant factor in this decision.
[Trails and Economic Development, Rails to Trails Conservancy August 2007
http://www.railstotrails.org/resourcehandler.ashx?id=4620]

17. COMMUNITY AND HEALTH BENEFITS
Quality Of Life
Investment in bicycle facilities improves the safety of the
transportation system for all users and also benefits health and fitness,
quality of life and the environment.
[Pathways to Prosperity The Economic Impact of Investments in Bicycling Facilities North Carolina
Department of Transportation, Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation July 2004
www.ncdot.gov/bikeped/download/bikeped_research_eiafulltechreport.pdf ]

18. COMMUNITY AND HEALTH BENEFITS
Health
Bicycling (and walking) is an excellent form of physical activity to
prevent and/or control detrimental health conditions and also enhance
overall fitness. Physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular
disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and a variety of other chronic
conditions. Exercise such as bicycling is also beneficial for mental
health and stress management.
[Closing The Gaps November 2013 Cape Cod Commission
www.capecodcommission.org/resources/initiatives/TRIPfinalrpt.pdf]

19. COMMUNITY AND HEALTH BENEFITS
Community Amenity
Trails consistently remain the number one community amenity sought
by prospective homeowners.
[National Association of Homebuilders (US) 2008
www.americantrails.org/resources/economics/economic-benefits-trails-macdonald.html]

20. COMMUNITY AND HEALTH BENEFITS
Property Values
The amenity value of trails translates into increased property values and
enhanced tax revenue for communities. The link between well-
designed trails and improved values is strong. Trails are a positive
community asset that people appreciate.
[Trails and Economic Development, Rails to Trails Conservancy August 2007
http://www.railstotrails.org/resourcehandler.ashx?id=4620]

21. 14 REASONS TO IMPROVE THE
MILLENNIUM TRAIL
 To provide a significant benefit to the local economy through increased overnight stays,
restaurant patrons, sale of bicycling goods and services and related retail spending
 To provide a total economic impact of as much as nine times the cost to construct
 To continue and increase employment opportunities for staff to serve the visitors
 To lead to the expansion of existing businesses and the establishment of new businesses
 To create a unique tourist attraction for the region and the province as other trails in
Quebec and the United States have proven to be
 To increase and broaden the attractiveness of a well established tourist area
 To attract a desirable and affluent clientele
 To bring more customers to established retail stores and accommodation providers
 To support established businesses near the route including businesses in Consecon,
Wellington, Bloomfield and Picton
 To provide a cycling route which is attractive and safe for cyclists of all ages and levels of
ability, off the Loyalist Parkway paralleling the existing Waterfront Trail
 To provide a uniquely attractive trail with special features that will attract visitors with
many different interests including wineries, waterfront, natural areas, artisans, craft stores
and unique accommodation in established bed & breakfast and inns
 To enhance community amenity for local residents
 To enhance nearby property values and assessment
 To contribute to improved health and fitness by providing an attractive, accessible and safe
place to walk and bicycle
