A Foot-powered Trail to Rural Economic Development

By Conrad deFiebre, Transportation Fellow, September 22, 2011 at 9:30 am

In the 1980s, nay-sayers argued that a proposed 60-mile bicycle trail system through eight small towns and the stunning bluffs and valleys of southeastern Minnesota was a public boondoggle that nobody would use. Fortunately for the the economy of the area, not to mention the estimated 200,000 people who ride the old railroad right-of-way every year, the Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley State Trails were built.

Last weekend, Fillmore and Houston counties (combined population: 40,000) celebrated the trail's silver anniversary with music, food, speeches and fitness challenges. And for good reason: "The whole area needs the tourism industry," Lanesboro Mayor Steve Rahn told the Winona Daily News. "Without the trail and tourism, these small towns would really be in dire straits."

Lodging revenue in Fillmore County alone has increased nearly 30-fold since the trail opened in 1986, and entertainment and food service sales totaled $14 million in 2009. This kind of  success has even prompted officials in Rushford (pop. 2,350) to begin planning a city bike route to connect with the state trail.

"It's an inspiration for other things to happen in our community," said Terri Benson of the Rushford Area Chamber of Commerce. "It inspires our city to know things are worth investing in."

These web pages have long touted bicycling as a commuting and basic transportation option in urban areas. Autocentric critics respond that two wheels are good only for recreation, implicitly denegrating their economic development potential. The Root River Trail has proved their assumptions wrong. Minnesota's $300 million-plus annual bicycle industry is an economic boon whether folks are pedaling to work, to shopping or just for fun in scenic countryside.

Posted in Transportation | Related Topics: Economic Growth  Minnesota Cities  Rural Minnesota  Bicycles 

3 Comments

KJC says:

September 29, 2011 at 10:20 am

As the two comments show, this is just another form of tourism.  Good stuff, especially for the small towns that get some of the “big city” money coming out to them… but this is hardly a breakthrough in our transportation system.  Hinting at much larger implications, with this as an example, is an over-reach, sorry.  KJC

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Ruth A. Robelia says:

September 29, 2011 at 9:36 am

We have been wanting to visit southeastern Minnesota south of Rochester.  Now i know what our destination will be.  Thanks for the good article.  Don’t forget the ultimate health benefits biking provides.  You are developing a healthier community by developing bike trails.

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Michelle says:

September 23, 2011 at 12:37 pm

My husband and I traveled to Lanesboro for a weekend primarily because of the bike trail. The pie and mini golf along the trails added to our enjoyment. I couldn’t believe the number of bicyclists.

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