From a Recreational Project to an Economic Driver

The small town of Waterbury in the U.S. state of Vermont has a population of just 5,000, but enjoys an excellent reputation in the mountain biking scene. This is thanks to the renowned trail network at Perry Hill. What began as a local recreational project has developed into a significant economic driver. Every year, thousands of mountain bikers flock to the region and spend around one million U.S. dollars on dining, specialty shops, lodging, and other services.

Trails Attract Residents and Skilled Workers

However, the economic benefits are only part of the success story. The bike trails have profoundly changed the town’s identity and are increasingly influencing people’s choice of where to live. At a time when well-educated professionals and people working from home can choose where to live more flexibly, Waterbury stands out for its high quality of life. The ability to hit world-class bike trails within minutes after work attracts young families and skilled workers who settle in the region specifically because of these recreational opportunities.

The local organization Waterbury Area Trails Alliance maintains the trails with the support of volunteers and ensures, through special youth programs, that the sport remains firmly rooted in the community. Even in winter, activities don’t come to a complete standstill, as some of the trails are groomed for fat bikes with extra-wide tires.

A Mining Town Reinventing Itself

Vermont’s success story is no longer an isolated case. Communities around the world are adopting this approach to revitalize economically depressed regions. An outstanding example is the former mining town of Derby on the Australian island of Tasmania. Following the decline of the local tin mining industry, the town faced the threat of economic decline. Through targeted investments in the Blue Derby trail network, the community has developed into an internationally renowned mountain biking destination. Today, mountain bike tourism there generates more than fifty million Australian dollars in direct revenue annually and secures hundreds of jobs in a region that previously had virtually no economic prospects.

Bentonville Bets on Single Trails

A similar phenomenon can be observed in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Arkansas. Through the massive and strategically planned expansion of hundreds of kilometers of singletrack, the region around Bentonville has become the self-proclaimed “Mountain Biking Capital of the World.” Supported by private foundations, the region demonstrates on a large scale what works on a smaller scale in Waterbury: The cycling industry now generates well over one hundred million U.S. dollars annually in the region.

Equally important is the social impact. The improved quality of life gives companies in northwestern Arkansas a competitive edge in attracting skilled workers. Numerous skilled workers are choosing to move to the region specifically because of the trails and the lifestyle they offer.

Mountain bike tourism strengthens rural areas

These examples show that investments in mountain bike infrastructure go far beyond simply promoting sports. It can make rural areas more economically resilient, promote the health and quality of life of the population, and create places where people not only want to spend their free time but also want to live and work permanently.

That’s why mountain biking works

For smaller communities in particular, mountain bike tourism therefore offers an attractive middle ground. Trail networks have similarly low environmental and financial barriers to entry as hiking trails, but at the same time can generate significant tourism-related economic value and project a modern lifestyle image that is otherwise primarily associated with alpine ski resorts.

Other recreational infrastructure can also stimulate regional growth. However, paved bike paths or ski lifts often require investments running into the millions. While other options are less expensive, they generally do not generate nearly the same local economic value per visitor as mountain bike tourism. Mountain bikers spend money not only on using the infrastructure but also on lodging, dining, repairs, equipment, and other local services.