Business Community Support

ABC works to create a healthier, more sustainable Atlanta by making it safer and easier for people to ride bicycles and enjoy a higher quality of life while improving public health, reducing congestion, and building community.

Please support the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign by making a tax-deductible donation (in kind or financial), becoming a corporate partner (see attached form), advertising in our e-newsletter, or becoming a sponsor of one of our fun and high-profile cycling events (including the Share the Road Challenge coming up in September) today.

Contact us for more information by emailing info at atlantabike.org or calling 404-881-1112. An investment in ABC is an investment in our city's future.

As advocates for a bicycle-friendly communities, ABC recognizes the
important role of Atlanta's business community's support in achieving
our goals. While we hope you will be spurred to support our work
because you see its value in contributing to the overall quality of
life in Atlanta, there are economic reasons to support better and safer
cycling infrastructure and programs as well.

Outdoor Industry Association - national and regional impact

The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) recently released statistics about the economic impact of bicycling recreation. These numbers, drawn from OIA research summarized in The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy, estimate bicycling’s full contribution to the U.S. economy, including travel-related expenditures and the ripple effect of indirect economic contributions.

BICYCLING CREATES ECONOMIC GROWTH: $133 BILLION ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION THE U.S. ECONOMY

60 million adult Americans (18 years of age and older) bicycle each year. American bicyclists spend money on their pursuit, creating jobs and supporting local communities. Whether bicycling for family recreation, transportation, or competition, the American bicyclist generates enormous economic power.

THE NATIONAL BICYCLING RECREATION ECONOMY:

• Contributes $133 billion annually to the U.S. economy
• Supports nearly 1.1 million jobs across the U.S.
• Generates $17.7 billion in annual federal and state tax revenue
• Produces $53.1 billion annually in retail sales and services
• $6.2 billion in bicycling gear sales and services
• $46.9 billion in bicycling trip-related expenditures
• Provides sustainable growth in rural communities

THE SOUTH ATLANTIC BICYCLING RECREATION ECONOMY:

• Contributes $11.3 billion to the regional economy
• Supports 135,000 jobs across the region
• Generates more than $1.6 billion in annual state and federal tax revenues
• Produces nearly $9.6 billion annually in retail sales and services
• $1.4 billion in bicycling gear sales and services
• $8.2 billion in bicycling trip-related expenditures
• The South Atlantic is home to more than 10 million bicyclists – 25% of the adult population.

The full report- The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy: A $730 Billion Annual Contribution to the U.S. Economy - produced by OUTDOOR INDUSTRY FOUNDATION in fall 2006 is available for free download: www.outdoorindustryfoundation.org. The report used multipliers (“ripple effect”) - a common economic tool that considers the economic process of bringing final product
to market and the circulation of wages and salaries through the economy to determine total economic contribution.

Notes: Regional economic contribution and job creation should not be compared to the national figures because of greater economic leakages at the regional level. Active outdoor recreation gear retail sales include apparel, footwear, equipment, accessories, and services. Trip-related expenditures include the IMPLAN expense categories: food/drink, transportation, entertainment/activities, lodging, souvenirs/ gifts/miscellaneous.

North Carolina Department of Transportation - Outer Banks bicycle facilities

A 2003 study commissioned by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation (DBPT) assessed the value of investment in bicycle facilities.

The study, conducted by the Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) at North Carolina State University
of the Northern Outer Banks region, showed high levels of bicycling activity and the presence of an extensive system of special bicycle facilities.

Researchers surveyed bicyclists riding on the bicycle facilities (paths and wide paved shoulders) and also obtained data from self-administered surveys of tourists at three visitors’ centers in the region.

Over 10 years, an estimated $6.7 million of public funds were spent on off-road paths and wide paved shoulders
. Researchers concluded that bicycling activity in the northern Outer Banks provides substantial economic benefits to the area — an estimated $60 million annually. Bicycle facilities in the area are an important factor for many tourists in deciding to visit the region.
75% of study respondents indicated that more bicycle facilities should be built, and 90% believe state and federal tax dollars should be used to do it. Bicycling creates or supports 1400 jobs annually
in the region.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Bicycle Friendly Communities

In a similar vein, a study by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation concluded that being a bicycle friendly community
results in these outcomes:

• A high quality of life
• Increased property values
• Business growth and increased tourism
• People feeling safe and comfortable riding their bikes for fun, fitness, and transportation
• As a result of more people bicycling, communities experience reduced traffic demands, improved air quality and greater physical fitness.