Economic cycles: Bikes pump more than millions into local economy

In a story appearing in Upstate Business Journal about the economic benefits of greenways and bike trails, a Furman University alumnus and a Furman professor weigh in.

Ty Houck ’93, a geology alum and director of Greenways, Natural and Historic Resources at Greenville County Parks, Recreation and Tourism, said the full economic impact of the Swamp Rabbit Trail is tough to pin down. Houck and others claim cycling is responsible for host of intangibles like lowered health care costs and marketing opportunities, especially for corporate recruiting.

Julian Reed, a professor of health sciences at Furman who has studied the SRT since its early days, noted increases in productivity for health-minded individuals and the economic boon to retailers and property owners in close proximity to the trail.