MDOT Reports Bicycling Adds $39.1 Million to Grand Rapids Economy

The Michigan Department of Transportation has released a report which says that bicycling adds $668 million per year to Michigan's economy.

$39.1 million of that is generated within the city limits of Grand Rapids.

The release of the report, "Community and Economic Benefits of Bicycling in Michigan", is the first of a two-part study.

The second part of the report will include more specific data on the economic impact of bicycling "events," bicycle touring, and Michigan as a bicycle destination. It is scheduled to be released next year.

The report measures a number of benefits from bicycling including employment, retail revenue, tourism expenditure, and increased health and productivity.

MDOT says 55% of bicyclists in Grand Rapids bike at least twice a week, 18% commute by bike at least twice a week, and 11% participated in a bicycling event or vacation in the past year.

In Grand Rapids, bicycling retail revenue accounts for $1.7 million annually. Bicycling also employs 32 people.

The report also lists economic benefits from other cities including:

• Traverse City: $5.5 million
• Holland: $6.4 million
• Detroit (southwest Detroit and the Conner Creek Greenway area): $20.7 million
• Ann Arbor: $25.4 million