November 15, 2006

BC's Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts releases draft policy for authorizing recreational mountain biking on crown land

British Columbia is well known for its unique and challenging mountain biking trails. While communities and tourism organizations acknowledge that mountain biking tourism generates economic activity, quantifiable data is needed to demonstrate the value of the trails, encourage investment in infrastructure, and establish appropriate trail management policies.

Over the summer of 2006, the MBTA in partnership with three communities and provincial's Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts conducted a comprehensive economic impact study to determine the present value of mountain bike trails and events to their host communities and the region over all. The study was primarily focused on the spending of non-residents who had traveled more than 40 kilometers to the community where they were surveyed.

The study measured the economic impact of mountain biking in the Sea to Sky Corridor including the communities of the North Shore (Districts of North Vancouver and West Vancouver), Squamish and Whistler. In addition, the study measured the impact of intra-regional (GVRD) spending on the North Shore, the Test of Metal event in Squamish, Crankworx in Whistler and the Whistler Bike Park.

Final reports of the study are presently being prepared for the partners and major findings will soon be released publicly. The MBTA would like to thank all of the partners for their help in making the study possible.

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