Trail visitors in 2012 are estimated to have had a total $19 million economic impact while $16.3 million of that was injected into the local economy.
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The D&L Trail, which spans five counties including the Lehigh Valley, last year drew 283,000 visitors who spent money on equipment to use the trail, visited restaurants and stayed overnight.
Across its five counties, the D&L Trail last year drew 283,000 visitors who spent money on equipment to use the trail, visit restaurants and stay overnight.
The visitors spent an estimated $19 million for activities related to the trail, and the majority of that money, $16.3 million, was injected into the local economy.
Those were findings of a D&L Trail 2012 user survey and economic impact analysis completed by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit that aims to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines.
Lehigh Valley business owners agree the trail, which runs from Wilkes-Barre through the Lehigh Valley to Bristol, east of Philadelphia, boosts business.
"Absolutely, yes," said Tomias Hinchcliff, owner of Genesis Bicycles in Easton. "Any time a person has a new place or a great place to ride it is going to benefit our business. ... Trails like that are very, very important to our business."Of almost 1,000 survey respondents, 77.4 percent reported spending about $425 on gear like bikes and running shoes to use the trail and 41 percent shopped at local stores. The majority of the visitors also hit up local eateries, spending $33 per visit.
Those using the stretch of trail from Allentown to Easton spent $834,000.
Most visitors hail from Pennsylvania, with Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton county residents making up the bulk of visitors, according to the study. The top activity for visitors was biking, about 47 percent, followed by walking and then jogging. Wildlife-viewing and bird watching were the other top reasons to hit the trail.
The cornerstone of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, the trail parallels the Delaware and Lehigh canals. It was recently named the top trail in Pennsylvania by the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund
Lisa Ronca, who owns Cutters Bike Shop in South Bethlehem with her husband, John, said she knows many people who use the trail for recreation and to commute.
"I think it's great," Ronca said. "I send people there a lot. There's not much elevation. You can get out and get a really long ride."
There are several trail access points close to Cutters so the shop often repairs flats, or customers come in seeking a tune-up after their ride, Ronca said. The busiest access point close to the shop is Sand Island, she said. That stretch of trail offers lots of benches and picnic tables for people to stop and snack.
The Wooden Match restaurant overlooks the towpath on Sand Island and is adjacent to much of the parking. Owner Steve DiDonato expects the trail to be a big draw. But he's not sure how big since he and his business partner Vince Randazzo bought the eatery this winter.
"We probably have the best outdoor seating in the whole Lehigh Valley," DiDonato said.
Ronca thinks the trail has such a wide appeal because it's not a rough or hilly surface and it's convenient to access. Both Cutters and Genesis organize group rides on stretches of the trail
Bike Line in Bethlehem has been selling more bikes targeted at that sort of riding, said Allen Schaeffer, the store's manager. The continual growth and extension of the trail has increased accessibility, he said.
"They are away from traffic and not dealing with cars," Schaeffer said. "It is a beautiful place."