For immediate release: Study Shows $7.8 Million Economic Impact of Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Trails

By Ron Bergin

Ron Bergin

CABLE, WI:  A recently completed study by the University of Wisconsin – River Falls Research Center assessed and analyzed the impact of the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA) trails on the economies of Bayfield and Sawyer Counties in Northwest Wisconsin. The resulting report revealed a total annual economic impact of $7.8 million. Funded in part by a Joint Effort Marketing grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, the study was conducted over the summer of 2019 and winter of 2020. Working with the UW-RF Research Center, CAMBA helped develop survey questions and methods to gather an assortment of data.

Principal among the methods were one-on-one intercept studies conducted at local mountain bike trailheads during the 2019 riding season. CAMBA volunteers administered a brief in-person survey that queried riders on their general impressions of the CAMBA trails, likes and dislikes, riding habits and preferences, and personal expenditures during their visit to the CAMBA trails. Basic demographic information was also captured during the survey. Paper and online surveys were forwarded to the UW-RF Research Center where they were tabulated and analyzed. 

Survey participants were also asked if they would be interested in taking a more detailed online survey as a follow-up to the initial interview. This data was then added to and factored with the intercept survey data.

The other principal component of the study was accumulating trail use data. This was accomplished by installing infrared trail counters at 12 locations throughout the CAMBA system. Counts were collected on a regular basis and tabulated at the end of the season. Trail use for the 2019 season totaled over 38,000 riders.

The Trail Guys, standing left to right: Ron Bergin, Stan Walczak, Darren Winchester, and Steve Morales. Kneeling: John Leighton. On the occasion of the dedication of the completion of the Hayward to Cable singletrack. Photo credit: CAMBA

“The total economic impact of mountain biking and other non-motorized sports in the region has always been elusive,” says CAMBA executive director Ron Bergin. “The amount of time and work it takes to do this in a statistically valid manner is challenging.  We decided to tackle this head-on and do it right. Working with David Trechter and Shelly Hadley at the UW-RF Research Center has been extremely positive and fruitful; their guidance and advice have been critical to the success of this project.”

The 2020 Economic Impact of the CAMBA Mountain bike trails includes direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts in Bayfield and Sawyer Counties. This includes $2.3 million in labor income, $3.2 million in total value and creating the need for 118 jobs.

The entire report and an executive summary can be viewed and downloaded on the CAMBA website at: https://cambatrails.org/about/economic-impact-studies/   Further information can be found at: [email protected]

(Note: The paywall is GONE! Please feel free to marathon amble about the website for more great stories, up to date «Race Calendars»!!!, Club information, Places to Stay, Trail Conditions, and more!)

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