Bicycle manufacturing, sales and tourism generate over $1.5 billion annually in Wisconsin, according to a new report conducted by UW-Madison's Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.
The report found that the bicycling industry supports approximately 13,193 jobs, and has economic effects on sectors ranging from food and services to health care and the environment.
""People do not realize that bicycling is a big business in Wisconsin,"" state Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, said of the report in a statement.
According to the report, Wisconsin is a hotspot for bicycle tourism and non-residents spend approximately 6.4 million days a year bicycling in Wisconsin. Taking into account food, lodging and other expenses, non-resident bicyclists generate over $535 million for the state.
Arthur Ross, pedestrian-bicycle coordinator for the city of Madison, said tourists like to come to downtown Madison to bike on the city paths and trails.
""A lot of people come into Madison either specifically for the bicycling or because they are coming to Madison and are planning to bike here because of the reputation Madison has for being a desirable place to bike,"" he said.
Ross said reconstruction on University Avenue will make cycling more comfortable for downtown bicyclists, and he said Madison can expect to see some new ""experimental bicycle boulevards"" on Mifflin Street.
""We are seeing more events coming into Madison bicycle-wise. … There's the new route in Middleton, and I think we will see some other stuff happening in Madison as well,"" he said.
