If someone offered you an investment that returned three dollars for every dollar you spent, would you take it?

You’d probably sign the paperwork before they could finish the sentence!

Well, it turns out that New Zealand’s 23 Great Rides are doing exactly that. While we usually think of our cycle trails as just a brilliant way to spend a weekend, clear the head, and get a bit of fresh air, some fascinating new research from Ngā Haerenga / NZ Cycle Trail shows they’ve quietly become one of the country’s most explosive success stories.

To put it into perspective, we thought we’d compare our humble two-wheeled adventures against two absolute titans of the Kiwi economy that everyone knows: the kiwifruit and wine industries. The results might just surprise you…

The Heavyweights vs. The Handlebars

When we think of economic powerhouses in NZ, we picture the massive, sun-drenched vineyards of Marlborough or rows of Zespri gold vines blanketing the Bay of Plenty. Those are deeply established, multi-billion-dollar export giants.

But our network of Great Rides is catching up fast. Have a look at the economic intake for the last year:

• 🥝 Kiwifruit Industry: $4.30 Billion
• 🍷 Wine Industry: $2.10 Billion
• 🚲 The 23 Great Rides: $1.28 Billion

Think about that for a second. The total expenditure generated by people riding and walking our cycle trails is already more than half the size of our entire wine export industry! And here’s the best part: unlike wine and kiwifruit—where the vast majority of the product is boxed up and shipped overseas—every single dollar spent on a cycle trail stays right here on the ground. It goes directly to the local café down the road from the trailhead, the regional shuttle driver, the boutique BnB, or the local bike shop keeping your gears shifting smoothly.

Sizzling Growth: Who’s Moving Fastest?

It’s not just about how much money is on the table right now; it’s about how fast things are accelerating. If we look back over the last four years, the pace of growth is incredible:

• Wine Exports: Grown by about 12% (hitting a steady plateau).
• Kiwifruit Exports: Grown by around 24% (rebounding strong after a couple of tough weather seasons).
• Cycle Trails: Spurting ahead at a massive 35% growth! Total trail expenditure jumped from $950 million to $1.28 billion. That means cycle tourism didn’t just experience a temporary lockdown boom; the momentum is actually building as international riders flock back to join us locals out on the gravel.

Talk About a Return on Investment!

This brings us back to that investment question we started with.

Maintaining thousands of kilometers of pristine trails through native bush, over mountain passes, and along old rail corridors isn’t free. And as any Kiwi knows, our wild weather can throw a spanner in the works. Just last summer, severe storms caused significant damage across some of our favorite tracks.

But because the economic return is so massive, the government treats these trails as a major priority. Alongside their standard $8 million annual upkeep budget, the government stepped in over the last few weeks with over $800,000 in emergency funding to repair storm damage on the Hauraki, Waikato, and Tasman trails, plus a fresh $7.1 million boost to upgrade and future-proof the network against future wild weather.

When you look at the math, it’s a no-brainer. A few million dollars to keep the tracks safe and resilient helps protect a network that pulls in $1.28 billion in regional economic activity, while providing an estimated $696 million in health and well-being benefits. People are feeling happier, fitter, and less stressed just by getting out on their bikes—meaning the trails literally pay for themselves in reduced healthcare costs and thriving rural towns.

Whether you’re riding an unpowered hardtail, gravel bike or cruising on a highend e-bike, every pedal stroke we take is doing its part to support tiny kiwi towns and regional communities that might otherwise be missed by mainstream tourism.

So next time you’re loading the bikes onto the back of the car or booking your next supported trail adventure, you can smile knowing you’re not just treating yourself—you’re backing a winning horse.

See you out on the trails!

*** What’s your next destination? Are you tackling a local favorite like the Whakarewarewa Loop or planning a massive multi-day epic down south? Let us know in the comments below!