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Whakarewarewa Forest Update (2009)
Hello NSW!
There's more evidence of how solid MTB facilities are of benefit to the economy and community in this document from New Zealand (Whakarewarewa Forest is in Rotorua in case you didn't know):
http://aprconsultants.co.nz/index.php/download_f...
One would expect that having just emerged from an economic recession, that discretionary consumer spending on recreational activities would have declined. While this may be true in many areas, use of “God's Playground” being Whakarewarewa Forest has increased.
Growth in mountain biking has continued strongly since the 2006 world championships were held in Rotorua.
The overall increase in mountain bike activity and greater propensity of mountain bikers to be resident outside the District means that increases in activity have had corresponding increases in economic impacts. Hence, mountain bike expenditure grew by 16%, ahead of the overall increase in recreation related expenditure.
Note: Expenditure through MTB increased from $7.4M to $8.6M from 2007 to 2009 (up 16.2%). Visitations were up from 85,000 to 101,800 in the same period.
Notably, over half (53.7%) visited Rotorua specifically for the purpose of mountain biking.
What is also interesting is this document states that economic impact from walking and running was $1.7M, and from 'organised bush walks' (how they differ from 'walking and running' I'm not sure) was $0.7M. This is despite these facts:
1. The most popular sport and recreation activity in New Zealand is walking with an estimated 2.1 million New Zealanders (64.1% of those aged 16 and older) undertaking a walking activity over the past 12 months.
2. Around 745 thousand New Zealanders (22.7% of those aged 16 and older) undertook a cycling activity over the past 12 months (5th most popular sport and recreation activity).
3. Jogging/running was 7th with around 574 thousand New Zealanders (17.5% of those aged 16 and older) who undertook this activity over the past 12 months.
That is, 64.1% of people walk, 22.7% cycle and 17.5% run or jog. yet economic impact from mountain biking is far greater than either of those other two activities - this is despite the much higher participation rate in walkers.
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Let's not forget that NZ is full of forward thinking, liberal minded peoples, who are not just a pack of whining, racist, redneck, uptight retards, like over here. It always surprises me when people from NZ move here.. Like wtf is wrong with you?
From a mtb-ing perspective, NZ is pure MTB haven. Everyone I talk to says that they did more riding in a week then in a year over here. There are heaps of stupidly good trails that are perfectly maintained and are sponsored by all sorts of businesses from local bike shops to hardware stores etc.
Now I know why we keep making fun of the NZ-ers. Because it's embarrassing how much better they got their shit together, considering the only thing they are apparently good at is rooting sheep.
Yes I wanna move to NZ, just gotta convince the wife. Anywho I'll stop ranting now.
As above for sure...
Rotorua is just so damn good, in a lovely location, appeals so all types of riding levels and is well promoted and is huge. Rotorua also has the constantly new trails being developed which provides a network of variable ride choices... maybe 10-15 minutes each that can be connected or just re-ridden. That approach is just pure entertainment.
The nearest we have here I can think of is Stromolo which isn't as large and doesn't exactly have the same magical environment on its dusty hill... at least it doesn't have Rotorua's smell... (need to have one little bitch!)
Has anyone ever seen any figures for what Mt Stromolo bike park has done for the local economy in Canberra?
Living in the mountains you just have to look around and think of the opportunities not taken advantage off for a mtb mecca, not maybe the size of Rotorua but pretty decent that would help with the toruism dollar.
Having recently spent 4 weeks in NZ purely to go riding, I can truly agree that they have it sorted perfectly, especially in Rotorua where they really have it all together in one spot. And also they have varying tracks so that the novice and the expert can have fun on the same hill. So when we get to build on Knapsack that is something to keep in mind that we want to make sure we cater for all levels of riders and to make it fun fun fun fun and flowing flowing flowing.
And yes I am going back to NZ to ride Rotorua again it is just too bloody good.