Organized Rides & Bicycle Tourism
Organized rides and races are often major events, drawing thousands of people to the
host communities. Once there, riders need food and lodging, and often need ride‐
related supplies. All of these purchases, by people who wouldn’t otherwise be there,
boost the local economy.
The Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, better known as
RAGBRAI, is one
of highest profile bicycle rides in the United States. It is an annual seven‐day bicycle
ride across Iowa. It calls itself the “oldest, largest and longest bicycle touring event in
the world.”
For nearly 40 years, the economic impacts of this ride have been felt
by the communities along the route.
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In 2008, they were quantified by a researcher at the University of Northern Iowa:
Total direct spending (dollars paid for services by travel parties for the event) while
in Iowa for the event was estimated at $16,908,642 (8,802 travel parties paying an
average of $1,921) in Iowa… The total direct, indirect and induced spending for
RAGBRAI in 2008 is somewhere in between $24.5 and $25.7 million.”
RAGBRAI may be the best known, but it is not the only ride to bring important dollars
into local communities. In 2011, the National Bicycle Tour Directors Association, now
the Bicycle Tour Network, conducted a pilot study of 11 large bicycling rides and
events. Spending related to the 11 events reached over $32.5 million. The survey
shows why communities are so eager to attract these visitors: 57% of rider had
household incomes over $100,000.