Trails for a Healthy Maine Creates a Healthy Economy

Economic/Tourism Impact

• Tourism is one of the largest industries in Maine in terms of employment and overall sales - US resident travel expenditures in Maine equaled 5.4 billion dollars in food, lodging, leisure activities, retail shopping and transportation (70% by out of state visitors).

• Lifestyle Market Analysis report shows that of all out of state visitors:
            40.4 % walk or hike
            14.9% bike

• There are over 54.6 million recreational cyclists in the US.

• The Outdoor Industry Association's "2004 Outdoor Recreation Participation Study for the United States" shows bicycling as the top outdoor activity with 2.1 billion outings on trails and dirt roads (another 4.6 billion outings on roads).

• Maine Department of Transportation's 2001 report "Economic Impact of Bicycle Tourism in Maine" reports:
  • In 1999 direct spending by bicycle tourists was estimated at $36.3 Million annually
  • Using a standard "multiplier effect" the total economic impact is estimated at $66.8 Million
  • The study recommended to create more shared-use trails
  • Investing in just three of the proposed shared-use trails of statewide significance, bicycle tourists would generate at least $2.7million additional revenue per year

• Recreational bicycling alone has a growth rate of 20% annually.

• Survey of three shared use trails in other northern tier states showed trail users generated over $12 million dollars per trail annually.

• The average value of property within 1/2 mile of a trail is 27-32% higher.

• 42 jobs are created for every $1 million spent on shared-use trail construction.

Source for many of these statistics comes from www.AmericanTrails.com

More benefits:
Basic Benefits
Trails for a Healthy Maine will result in Healthy Communities

Show your support of the Trails for a Healthy Maine Bond with your business or organization endorsement or by contacting your legislators today to urge their support.