Bicyclists and North Carolina's mountains can be a natural fit

O. Epstein

A money-spinner for the west

/www.newsobserver.com/print/thursday/opinion/story/1386772p-
7509991c.html

By CHRISTOPHER A. COOPER

CULLOWHEE -- Outdoor recreation and the myriad of
attractions that the mountains of Western North Carolina
have to offer draw thousands of people annually to our neck
of the woods. Although hiking, skiing and whitewater sports
have long been touted as important recreational
opportunities, many people come to the region because of its
reputation as an excellent place to ride bikes.

Bike magazine recently named Asheville one of five best
mountain biking towns in the country. Tsali Recreation Area
near Bryson City has several nationally recognized mountain
biking trails, and the DuPont State Forest attracts a number
of visitors who enjoy its unique slickrock trails. Western
North Carolina also is home to some of the best road riding
in the nation, from the Blue Ridge Parkway to less-known
country roads snaking along ridges and river valleys.

In addition to being a point of pride for many residents,
bicycling also is a major economic engine. A recent study by
the state Department of Transportation found that the sport
brings at least $60 million a year to the Outer Banks of
North Carolina. More than 1,400 jobs have been created to
support the more than 40,000 people who bicycle in the Outer
Banks region. A similar study found that bicycling
contributes more than $1 billion annually to Colorado's
economy. That's "billion" with a "B."

Although there has not been a comprehensive study of the
economic impact of cycling in Western North Carolina, there
is little reason to believe the results would look much
different.

• • •

Why is bicycling so good for the economy? First, and most
obviously, bicycling supports a number of specialized
businesses, including local bike shops, bike manufacturers
(such as the Fletcher-based Cane Creek Cycling Components)
and other suppliers of bikes and bike-related products.
Money spent at these shops and manufacturers also has
indirect effects. For example, if someone spends $5 at
Motion Makers Bicycle Shop in Sylva, the shop owner may
have extra money to spend next door on a pizza, a CD or a
cup of coffee.

Bicycling also draws tourists who spend money on hotels,
restaurants and a variety of other vacation-related
expenses. These expenditures often are considerable, as
bicycling tourists have relatively high incomes. Half of the
cyclists who visit the Outer Banks have an annual income of
more than $100,000.

An example of the potential impact of bicycling can be seen
in the Jackson County town of Cashiers. This April, the town
of about 1,330 people hosted the Tour de Cashiers, an
organized bike ride with almost 400 participants. People
from all over the Southeast participated. The hotels were
full. Restaurants had waiting lists and the shops
experienced higher-than-normal sales volume.

Similar examples can be seen with the annual Assault on
Mount Mitchell, which starts in Spartanburg, S.C., winding
through North Carolina's foothills before its grueling
conclusion on the highest peak in the Eastern United States,
and with the annual Cane Creek series, an affiliation of
cycling events across the Carolinas.

• • •

What can be done to expand upon the positive benefits of
bicycling in Western North Carolina? The DOT study indicates
that for bicycling to thrive the area must be considered "bicycle-
friendly." People like to bicycle in places that are safe
and fun. This means local governments must invest money in
bicycle paths, bicycle lanes and roads that are wide enough
to accommodate bikes.

It also means that people in the area must recognize
that bicycling is a boon to the economy, and therefore
make cyclists feel welcome on and off the road. If
bicyclists are made to feel unwelcome, it is unlikely
that they will return.

There is no single silver bullet that will bring economic
development to Western North Carolina. For the region to
thrive, local and state governments must engage in a
multifaceted plan to retain existing businesses and bring in
new ones. A portion of this plan should capitalize on the
considerable appeal of cycling in the region.

(Christopher A. Cooper is an assistant professor of
political science and public affairs at Western Carolina
University and a social science analyst with the
university's Center for Regional Development.)

Jem

O. Epstein wrote:
> A money-spinner for the west
>
> ww.newsobserver.com/print/thursday/opinion/story/1386772p-
> 7509991c.html
>
> By CHRISTOPHER A. COOPER

SNIP!

> million a year to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. More
> than 1,400 jobs have been created to support the more than
> 40,000 people who bicycle in the Outer Banks region.

SNIP!

1,400 jobs? I didn't think 1,400 people even lived in the
Outer Banks. But it was in a newspaper, so it must be true.

Tommy Taylor

> CULLOWHEE -- Outdoor recreation and the myriad of
> attractions that the mountains of Western North Carolina
> have to offer draw thousands of people annually to our
> neck of the woods. Although hiking, skiing and whitewater
> sports have long been touted as important recreational
> opportunities, many people come to the region because of
> its reputation as an excellent place to ride bikes.

Can this information be tied into a good MTB ride? Ride west
from Cullowee towards Cashiers. Somewhere turn left..towards
Caney Fork ...maybe go towards Judaculla Rock...or I think
north...take dirt roads then fire roads...go 6-7 miles and
you are on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Maybe a 3000 foot climb
in elevation? Check with the experts in East Laporte. It was
done in a VW in 72.

Scott Eiler

jem wrote:

> O. Epstein wrote:
>
>> A money-spinner for the west
>>
>> w.newsobserver.com/print/thursday/opinion/story/1386772p-
>> 7509991c.html
>>
>> More than 1,400 jobs have been created to support the
>> more than 40,000 people who bicycle in the Outer Banks
>> region.
>
> 1,400 jobs? I didn't think 1,400 people even lived in the
> Outer Banks.

If the Outer Banks are anything like all those other
touristy places I've ever been, there might actually be more
jobs than people in the region, but they're part-time jobs,
not especially lucrative, and not something to brag about.

--
-------- Scott Eiler B{D> --------
http://www.eilertech.com/ --------

"It seemed an unlikely spot for a sensitive songwriter from
Greenwich Village... She ordered the 20-ounce steak." -- Lin
Brehmer, Chicago DJ, describing his meeting in a steakhouse
with Suzanne Vega.

x

RE/
> more than 40,000 people who bicycle in the Outer
> Banks region.

I've been vacationing in the Outer Banks for over 20 years.

I *guess* there's more 40,000 people total... because
somebody who should know says so....but intuitively, it
seems like a *lot* of people...much less people who bicycle.

I'd also opine that the Outer Banks that I know (Kill Devil
Hills to Hatteras) is the worst place for riding a bike that
I've ever been to: high winds, sand, speeding cars, little
or no shoulder, no hills....
--
PeteCresswell