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Trail use estimates

  • Outdoor Recreation Scarcity and Abundance in Western Oregon: A Spatial Analysis

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Across western Oregon, there is substantial variation in how well the supply of hiking, mountain biking, and off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails meets demand for these trails by local users. Although some communities have many miles of trails, such as the 146 miles of mountain biking trails within 60 minutes of Portland, the supply of trails… Read more

  • Oregon Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Participation and Priorities

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Across Oregon, off-highway vehicle (OHV) riders account for approximately 3.1 million days of riding per year and nearly $100 million in spending. Sixty percent of respondents support increasing the OHV registration fee from $10 to $15, and more than half identify the maintenance of existing trails as the most important funding priority. Read more

  • The Northern Forest Canoe Trail: Economic Impacts and Implications for Sustainable Community Development

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Across New York, Vermont, Quebec, New Hampshire, and Maine, the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) draws 90,000 users annually. Although most users visit areas with other attractions and established tourist infrastructure like hotels and restaurants, the smaller number of visitors to remote parts of the trail bring valuable outside spending. Read more

  • Impact of All-Terrain Vehicle Access on the Demand for a Proposed Trail

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    In rural Nova Scotia, a proposed trail is predicted to attract 160,000 users per year. Because motorized vehicle use is expected to diminish the quality of non-motorized users’ experience, allowing all-terrain vehicles on the trail is predicted to cut the number of total visits in half. Read more

  • Determinants of Demand for Recreational Walking Trails in Ireland

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Visitors to walking trails in rural Ireland are likely to spend more to visit flat or valley trails, as well as trails that have signage and maps. The authors use the results to evaluate a set of proposed trails to identify those most likely to bring the most visitors and generate the greatest economic impact. Read more

  • The Impacts of Central Ohio Trails

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    This thorough study of a 111-mile regional trail network around Columbus, Ohio found that trail users travelled roughly 11.9 million miles in 2014, mostly by bicycle. Higher population density, easy access from neighborhoods, connection to other trails, and longer trails are associated with greater use. Read more

  • 2012 Pennsylvania Recreational Water Trails Economic Impact Study A Four-Trail Case Study

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Water trails in Pennsylvania are popular with resident anglers and paddlers, as are shoreline activities like picnicking and wildlife viewing. A sample of four of the state’s 21 water trails were associated with 14,000 visitor days over a six-week period in late summer, and $537,000 in spending. Read more

  • Adapting To the New Economy: The Impacts of Mountain Bike Tourism in Oakridge, Oregon

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Mountain biking in Oakridge, Oregon contributes substantial economic activity to a small, isolated community deeply affected by the loss of timber jobs. Although the recent rapid growth in the area’s popularity has some residents concerned about cultural change, user conflicts, and environmental concerns, the author is confident these challenges can be overcome. Read more

  • Oregon Non-Motorized Trail Participation and Priorities

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Non-motorized trail users in Oregon account for 162.3 million user days per year, and the vast majority of these days are spent walking or hiking. While these recreation days are associated with substantial expenditures, the amount spent per person per day and the total economic impact vary greatly within the state. Read more

  • The economic impacts and uses of long-distance trails

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Although visitor spending per day along the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail in western Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina is relatively low, the large number of visitors generates substantial economic impact. However, much of this spending is likely due to the attraction of specific historic sites and not the trail, because relatively few… Read more

  • The Economic Impacts of Active Silent Sports Enthusiasts

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    In northern Wisconsin, 95 percent of participants in non-motorized events are non-local, and these participants take more than four trips per year to the area on average, generating substantial economic impact. The two most important factors affecting non-residents’ decision to visit were the quality of trails and the quality of trail mapping and signage. Read more

  • Motorized Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Development within Trailside Communities

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    In southwestern Wisconsin, a 47-mile trail is a destination for non-local motorized trail users, who generate over $13 million dollars in spending each year. When the study was conducted, the railroad owner had petitioned to rebuild a portion of the rail line along the trail. This study was used to demonstrate the trail’s benefits to… Read more

  • Trails and their gateway communities: A case study of recreational use compatibility and economic impacts

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    A 98-mile rail trail in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota attracts roughly 46,400 visits per year, with trail users spending $118 per trip, on average. Despite high visitation and spending, the trail’s economic impact could be increased with better connections between nearby towns, and through businesses-like bike shops that target trail users. Read more

  • Yellowstone-Grand Teton Loop Bicycle Pathway Estimated Economic Impact

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    A 262-mile cycle touring loop connecting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, with significant portions on non-motorized pathways, has the potential to generate important economic activity in the small communities through which it would pass. However, due to the challenges of estimating economic impact across a large area and areas close to national parks, the… Read more

  • Analysis of Economic Impacts of the Northern Central Rail Trail

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    This study found that the North Central Rail Trail is used heavily by residents who lack safe walking and cycling alternatives on local roadways; trail use grew 42 percent per year during the first decade it was open. Both residents and nearby property owners overwhelmingly found the trail a good investment of public funds and… Read more

  • Coastal Georgia Greenway Market Study and Projected Economic Impact

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    This study found that the Coastal Georgia Greenway has the potential to generate substantial economic impact along its route. Using findings from studies on a range of existing rail-trail projects, the study projects use and economic impact for the year the trail is constructed as well as five years later, after more people learn about… Read more

  • Exploring the Market Potential for Yukon Mountain Bike Tourism

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    This study found that the Yukon Territory in Canada has the potential to become a destination for mountain biking based on its undeveloped landscape, varied terrain that would accommodate a range of abilities, and existing network of old First Nations and prospector trails. The difficulty of reaching the Yukon by car or plane is a… Read more

  • Sea to Sky Mountain Biking Economic Impact Study

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    This study found that mountain biking generates significant new spending in the communities of Whistler, Squamish, and the North Shore near Vancouver, British Columbia, all internationally-known mountain biking destinations. These communities all draw non-local visitors and spending, but the economic impact associated with the resort and bike park at Whistler and the multi-day Crankworkx Mountain… Read more

  • Economic Impact Assessment and Phase 2 Implementation Report

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    This study found that the trail systems in the Cariboo region of British Columbia are seeing consistent annual growth in trail use and economic impact, driven largely by more overnight visitors from outside the area. To increase non-local visitors and the economic impact of mountain biking, the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium has developed and promoted… Read more

  • Bicycling and Walking in Colorado: Economic Impact and Household Survey Results

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    This study found that bicycle tourism draws summertime tourists to Colorado ski areas who would not have come otherwise, many of whom come from out-of-state and generate valuable economic impact. State-wide, residents are most concerned about the safety of cycling and strongly support spending on improvements such as new paved off-street bike paths and linking… Read more

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