NWA Economy Got $159M Boost From Cycling Last Year, Report Says

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More: Read the full report.

The cycling industry generated $159 million in economic benefits in 2022 in northwest Arkansas, a study by the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville reported.

The Center for Business and Economic Research at the UA’s Walton College of Business said the impact is from jobs, tourism revenue and taxes. The study was commissioned by the Walton Family Foundation to cover Benton and Washington counties.

The CBER said cycling businesses such as bike shops, repair and equipment and trail maintenance generated $100 million in revenue and 743 jobs. More than $6 million in state and local taxes were produced.

Tourism generated $59 million in economic impact and supported 587 jobs. Nearly $5 million state and local taxes were generated.

The CBER mentioned one event in particular, the 2022 Walmart UCI CycloCross World Championship that drew 17,500 for the three-day event in January at Centennial Park in Fayetteville. The CBER said the event generated $9.9 million economic activity.

The report also said cycling had health benefits, too. It said 3.7% of northwest Arkansas residents bicycle five days a week, which the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services said reduces risk for issues such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

The study said that in turn reduces chronic health costs in northwest Arkansas by another $59 million.

Cycling’s total economic impact on the region is up nearly 14% from 2018, when a similar analysis by the Walton Family Foundation estimated that it provided a $137 million boost annually. That report said that investment in soft-surface mountain bike trails was a key driver of tourism, with at least 55% of mountain bikers traveling to northwest Arkansas from outside the region.