It's good to see something with wheels other than cars generating serious revenue in Michigan.
The Detroit News reports that bicycling produces about $668 million per year into Michigan's economy. The paper cites a recent report from the Michigan Department of Transportation
The revenue figures includes nearly 800 people employed in bicycle-related jobs, along with retail revenue, tourism expenses, lower health care costs and a boost in productivity, Rene Wisely writes in the article for the News.
Wisely writes:
The study, "Community and Economic Benefits of Bicycling in Michigan," put the spotlight on five communities to gauge how the sport affects their bottom line.
Michigan's second-largest city, Grand Rapids, benefited most from cycling. It earned $39.1 million, nearly double the $20.7 million Detroit brings in.
Ann Arbor easily grabbed second place with a $25.4 million boost.
The story talks about the inroads Detroit is making in the bike world with companies like Detroit Bikes, Shinola and Detroit Bicycle Co. Those companies produce their own two-wheelers as part of the $6 billion U.S. bicycle industry.
