Recreational cycling generates $1.5 billion in economic activity a year in Wisconsin, according to a first-of-its-kind study.
The figures, which include dollars produced by the state’s bicycle manufacturing, sales and services industry, suggest cycling has as much impact on the state’s economy as deer hunting.
"I don’t think folks in Wisconsin appreciate just how important (biking) is in the state’s economy," said state Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, who commissioned the study. "We make a lot more bikes here than we do cars."
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The report on cycling found:
• 49 percent of Wisconsin residents enjoy bicycling for recreation, making it among the most popular outdoor activities in the state, according a 2006 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources study.
• Bicycle recreation currently supports more than $924 million in tourism and resident spending each year, of which nearly $533 million is direct impact occurring annually, such as travel, equipment sales and restaurant expenditures.
• Bicyclists from other states spend more than $535 million a year.
• Increasing nonresident bicycling by 20 percent has the potential to increase economic activity by more than $107 million dollars and create 1,528 full-time-equivalent jobs, mostly in retail, lodging and food service.
https://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/article_526f2c44-0fb0-11df-8c95-001cc4c002e0.htmloldId.20100203061930663
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