Mountain bikers contribute to local economies!

[Emazing]

USA -Hard data proves it: Mountain biking IS a powerful economic engine! 📈 

probably would be applicable to South Africa as well! 

IMBA & Trust for Public Land partnered up on a new report quantifying the benefits.  

A few highlights:
🔥 Across the 13 locations included in the report, the trail networks generated up to 1,626 jobs and $54.1 million in labor income each year. 
🔥 Visiting mountain bikers spend an average of $416 per trip.  
🔥 One trail system generates $10.3 million in economic impact each year

This research is vital for advocating for more trails. When we build trails, we build economic opportunity and community health. 

Download this report, deliver the findings to your community champions and leverage these findings: https://www.imba.com/resource/economic-benefits-mountain-biking

['Kaze Pete]

And then there is this, apparently 'a nice day for cutting trees'

https://www.reddit.com/r/gravelcycling/comments/1jz1huz/2025_barry_roubaix_guy_drops_a_tree_on_a_racer

 

[Mook]

9 hours ago, Emazing said:

USA -Hard data proves it: Mountain biking IS a powerful economic engine! 📈 

probably would be applicable to South Africa as well! 

IMBA & Trust for Public Land partnered up on a new report quantifying the benefits.  

A few highlights:
🔥 Across the 13 locations included in the report, the trail networks generated up to 1,626 jobs and $54.1 million in labor income each year. 
🔥 Visiting mountain bikers spend an average of $416 per trip.  
🔥 One trail system generates $10.3 million in economic impact each year

This research is vital for advocating for more trails. When we build trails, we build economic opportunity and community health. 

Download this report, deliver the findings to your community champions and leverage these findings: https://www.imba.com/resource/economic-benefits-mountain-biking

What does these stats say about muggings, robberies and/or incidents involving 3rd party motorized vehicles 🤷‍♂️

Potentially, the positive spin-offs have been proven internationally, BUT we live too close to Africa and no political will exist to turn safety around. Cycling in SA is still very much regarded as a privilege bestowed on a minority group, hence the reluctance from authorities to help turn it into a profitable industry. 

I might be wrong and stand to be corrected 🥴

[Rudii]

And not to mention all the coffee we consume🤣

[ChrisF]

28 minutes ago, Rudii said:

And not to mention all the coffee we consume🤣

 

Bootleggers certainly sees it as a good market, as a partner of the Tygerberg Club.

[ChrisF]

Round the Pot ....

DC ....

Swellendam certainly benefits from these events.

 

CTCT ....

Each family that travels to join this World Champs spends a significant chunk of change on the trip

 

Back to MOUNTAIN BIKES ...

Cape Epic ....

From massages to bike maintenance to accommodation and the list just carries on and on .... hundreds of millions are being mentioned

 

Cycling is a BIG money spinner for local economies.  Those provinces that dont take care of the races in their areas are very short sighted ....

[The Ouzo]

53 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

CTCT ....

Each family that travels to join this World Champs spends a significant chunk of change on the trip

I was thinking a bit about this the other day, and its not just cape town that benefits, especially in the previous years, the small towns on the road down to CT certainly had a little boost in economy with travellers stopping there.

[Bro Derek]

CTCT doesn't really benefit the macro economy

It is significant in THIS circle, but in March, Cape Town is already Packed with overseas tourists spending proper money.

It may be a small spike, but it isn't as significant as we think

 

[RobynE]

I was thinking about the micro economy the other day as I enjoyed a pap and steak food trailer meal after my ride, alone, next to Diepsloot. I didn’t for a moment feel unsafe and in fact I was treated like royalty. 

My thoughts are along the lines of: communities bordering game reserves benefit from the entrance fees etc charged for said game reserves and as a result poaching and other criminal activities are reduced. 

So I’m going to buy a case of Steri Stumpies for a few hawkers for them to sell to cyclists in hot spot areas near me (northern Joburg), conditional to them using the money to re-stock themselves with Steri Stumpies. And I’ll print and laminate a sign with a cyclist and “Steri Stumpies available here” and give that to them. 

It may or may not make a difference 🤷‍♀️ But I reckon it’s worth a go. 

So, if you see the sign, please support the vendor 🙏 

[ChrisF]

32 minutes ago, RobynE said:

I was thinking about the micro economy the other day as I enjoyed a pap and steak food trailer meal after my ride, alone, next to Diepsloot. I didn’t for a moment feel unsafe and in fact I was treated like royalty. 

My thoughts are along the lines of: communities bordering game reserves benefit from the entrance fees etc charged for said game reserves and as a result poaching and other criminal activities are reduced. 

So I’m going to buy a case of Steri Stumpies for a few hawkers for them to sell to cyclists in hot spot areas near me (northern Joburg), conditional to them using the money to re-stock themselves with Steri Stumpies. And I’ll print and laminate a sign with a cyclist and “Steri Stumpies available here” and give that to them. 

It may or may not make a difference 🤷‍♀️ But I reckon it’s worth a go. 

So, if you see the sign, please support the vendor 🙏 

 

In 2017 the Bloemendal "trailhead" was no more than a 1x1m Wendy hut that has since fallen to bits.

 

Then a lone container where Nicky sat and did her admin.  Quickly after than a cluster of containers arranged to create a functional trailhead with a small shop.  Fast forward, and it is now a small complex ....

 

It provides permanent employment to a number of families.  It provides a base for a couple of businesses.

 

These trailheads accross SA may be a "micro" enterprise, but it is a good solid source of income for many.

 

Let's not forget that each rider represents another string of income for the larger cycling suppliers, from bike shops to clothing etc etc ....