Economic Benefits of Mountain Biking in the U.S.

Communities that invest in natural surface trail networks for mountain biking can expect tangible pspending by people attracted to trails and easy access to the outdoors. Outdoor recreation-related spending has downstream effects on a community’s economic condition as well, generating sales and lodging taxes and business and employment opportunities in the community and improving residents’ quality of life. Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) will present the findings from a new study conducted to better understand the economic benefits of mountain biking in the U.S. This session will also identify potential challenges that outdoor recreation communities face regarding increased visitation and suggests considerations and re-sources to mitigate them.

Check out the March 13, 2025 webinar (Making the Case for Tourism-Oriented Mountain Bike and Adaptive Recreation) on a similar topic: The Trust for Public land conducted a meta-analysis, reviewing more than 50 individual analyses like the one being presented on March 13. Their report gives a macro-view of the kinds of economic benefits communities can expect as a result of investing in natural surface trails for mountain biking, as well as discussing some of the planning challenges associated with doing that (especially in rural areas).

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will build their advocacy capacity for natural-surface trails by using economic data to make the case for investments in them
• Attendees will better understand planning challenges faced by rural communities that are considering investing in mountain biking tourism
• Attendees will have case studies of communities, parks, and special events that demonstrate ways trails provide tangible economic benefits