Economic Impact Studies on Bicycle and Pedestrian Activities

BWANH provides the following Economic Impact Studies, and other information, relevant to bicycle and pedestrian activities.

This information is provided to support the development of a tourism strategy for the state of New Hampshire, as well as to improve biking and walking infrastructure investments for transportation.

It’s important to shine a spotlight on the fact that activities such as bicycling, walking, bike-packing, and multi-day biking trips draw people who spend a great deal of money in New Hampshire. For example, people participating in these activities spend money at restaurants, grocery and convenient stores, bicycle shops, clothing shops, breweries, wineries, outdoor gear shops, lodging, campgrounds, and other local businesses.

Beyond recognizing the boosts to statewide and local economies, it is also important to recognize the public and individual health benefits resulting from New Hampshire communities that provide access to safe, convenient, and well-connected bicycle and walking routes throughout the state.

Let’s also not forget about the benefits to our environment, including air quality benefits, that come from promoting these low-impact and low-carbon footprint activities.

ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDIES

Below is a list of economic impact studies that are relevant to recreational activities that focus on biking, walking, and rail trails

1. New Hampshire DOT’s Statewide Pedestrian & Bicycle Transportation Plan and Economic Impact Study Technical Memorandum #4, Economic Impact Analysis (January 10, 2020) states that….“[w]hen multiplier impacts are included, New Hampshire’s pedestrian and bicycle-oriented businesses are responsible for an estimated 335 jobs and $48.7 million sales.”The economic benefits of non-motorized recreation have been overlooked in the state’s tourism planning and promotion until now, however, because these activities do not generate fees that go directly to state agencies, such as the Bureau of Trails. We hope that is about to change in light of these and other recent economic impact studies.
2. New Hampshire Rail Trails Plan (NHDOT, August 2022). — The economic contributions of nine rail trails to New Hampshire’s economy were studied by a team of researchers from the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension to support the preparation of the “New Hampshire Rail Trails Plan”. Key findings from that study include:—  Annual economic contribution of rail trials to the NH economy: $18,736,000.
   —  Annual economic contribution of rail trials to the NH economy: $18,736,000.
   —  Annual tax revenue: $2,744,000
   —  Jobs supported: 164

       In contrast, the Plan notes that state funding for rail trails for the period 2017 through 2020 amounted to only $190,000. The Plan states…

   “Providing information to assist the public in planning trips to New Hampshire rail trails would help attract visitors and add to the economic return on investment associated with rail trails. A web domain (www.RailTrails.nh.gov) and pamphlet have been developed as a part of this plan. Further actions, including development of a state rail trail brand identity or logo and trip planning materials, could be developed in the future to further promote and market New Hampshire’s rail trail network. Promotion of New Hampshire’s rail trails is not only a state-level effort but would also involve efforts of local supporters (municipalities, trails groups/clubs) as rail trails could be marketed as a community asset and uniquely marketed by local supporters.”

3. A study in the state of Washington found, “Trail use results in over $390 million in health savings each year.” (Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, 2019)

4. A study by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) found, “Health cost savings from increased physical activity due to active transportation is currently $20 billion annually and could grow to nearly $92 billion annually.” (RTC, 2019)

5. A study by researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health and the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health focusing on 12 northeastern states found, “the economic benefit of lives saved from increased walking and cycling far exceeds the estimated annual investment to promote such infrastructure, without even considering the added benefits of reducing air pollution and increasing access to climate-friendly transportation modes.” (Raifman, et. al., 2021)

6. “Effects of Completing a Critical Link in the ATT” — Simply investing in the completion of “missing” trail segments significantly increases both the number of trail users and the amount of exercise that each trail user gets. A study on the American Tobacco Trail in Durham, North Carolina, showed that completing a critical missing bridge segment in the trail had a significant impact on the number of people using the trail for physical activity. After the bridge was installed, connecting two trail segments formerly divided by a highway, researchers found the total number of trips on the trail increased from 217,900 to 508,100—a 133% increase—in one year. In addition, the average amount of physical activity on the trail increased from 138 minutes to 162 minutes per week. (Cook, et. al., 2016)

7. The value of rail trails, other multi-use trails, and safer on-road biking and walking routes helps employers attract employees, particularly younger employees, and consequently the state’s ability to attract and retain employers. These studies below have found that:

   — Quality of life is taking on increasing importance as a site-selection factor in corporate relocation and expansion plans. (Geraldine Gambale, Area Development Magazine, Q1 2021)

   — Investments in improving a community’s quality of life can create a virtuous cycle: high-quality places attract workers and employers, which in turn attract more investments and jobs. (George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis, May 2018)

8. Economic Impact Analysis of the Great American Rail Trail — An economic impact analysis of the envisioned Great American Rail Trail (May 2022) includes studies of 30 existing s long-distance trails across the U.S. See Economic Potential of the Great American Rail-Trail, Methods & Data Sources (Headwaters Economics, May 2022). Appendix B to the Methods & Data Sources report lists 19 economic impact studies of other multi-use trails (see this list below).

Below is a list of the multi-use trail economic impact studies cited in the above Great American Rail Trail Methods & Data Sources report (Headwaters Economics, May 2022):

1. • Burlington Waterfront Path (VT)
   • Catskill Mountain Rail-Trail (NY)
   • D&L Trail (PA)
   • Elroy-Sparta Trail (WI)
   • Ghost Town Trail (PA)
   • Great Allegheny Passage (PA) – 3 studies
   • Great Miami Trail (OH)
   • Heritage Trail (IA)
   • Little Miami Trail (OH)
   • Oil Creek State Park (PA)
   • Pere Marquette Trail (MI)
   • Trail of the Coeur d‘Alenes (ID)
   • Allegheny Trail Alliance (PA)
   • Columbia River Gorge (WA)
   • TransCanada Trail (ON)
   • Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park
   • Gandy Dancer Trail (WI)
   • Silver Comet Trail (GA)
   • Montana Touring Cyclists

9. Economic Impact of Eastern Trail – Current Impact and Hypothetical Expansion Scenario, Camoin Associates, November 2021  

10. Greenways & Trails – Bringing economic benefits to New York, NY Parks & Conservation Association and The Business Council of New York State (undated)

11. Three Rivers Heritage Trail 2014 User Survey and Economic Impact Analysis, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, February 2015

 

NH VISITOR INFORMATION CENTERS

BWANH believes it would be beneficial for the NH Dept of Travel & Tourism Development (NH DTTD) website and NH Visitor Information Centers to provide more online and printed info about New Hampshire’s rail trails, as well as other biking and walking opportunities.

 

Note that the Granite State Ambassadors provide trained volunteers who answer questions from tourists at the New Hampshire State Visitor Information Centers along the interstate highways and key tourist attractions. One of the most asked questions is “Where are the rail trails?” GSA directs tourists to the NH Rail Trails Coalition website (www,nhrtc.org) since it provides the complete list of New Hampshire’s rail trails.

Here are examples of just a few biking and walking opportunities that would benefit from having more exposure and promotion statewide through New Hampshire’s Visitor Information Centers:

• Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail
• New Hampshire Rail Trails Challenge
• Bike Borderlands Project
• New Hampshire NEMBA chapters: Central New Hampshire NEMBA, Franconia Area NEMBA, Pemi Valley NEMBA, Seacoast NEMBA, Southern NH NEMBA, White Mountain NEMBA

NEED FOR MORE STUDIES

BWANH urges NHDBEA to conduct economic impact studies of the planned Granite State Rail Trail and connecting trails such as the Rockingham Recreational Trail and the planned Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail, other existing and planned multi-use trails, and the potential for expanded on-road cycling that could result from investments in non-motorized recreation and other policy changes to improve bike/ped safety, as supported by the NH Rail Trails Plan.

As the statewide organization promoting biking and walking opportunities throughout the state, BWANH urges not just NHDBEA, but also other statewide agencies (such as the Bureau of Trails and the Dept of Transportation) to increase promotion of non-motorized recreational and active transportation activities, such as on-road and off-road bike touring, bike-packing, road-riding, gravel riding, and walking.

Initiatives such as the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail, the New Hampshire Rail Trails Challenge, and the Bike Borderlands project are just a few examples of healthy, family-friendly tourism opportunities that provide economic benefits to the state. Let’s promote them!