In preparing the business case TRC reviewed previous investigations and reports on the potential development of trails at the Gorge as well as undertaking detailed field assessment to explore potential trail alignment and infrastructure and support services.
This analysis was combined with detailed understanding of mountain bike demand in New Zealand and a comparison of the potential Manawatu facility with other opportunities in New Zealand. Field assessment undertaken during June 2016 indicated there were six options for mountain bike trails or combinations of trails within the Manawatu Gorge area.
The business case includes demand projections as a basis for predicting the benefits of investing in a mountain bike network at Manawatu Gorge and explored potential trail users including local residents, domestic visitors to the region, and international visitors and examined development and operating costs, and trail user spending to provide economic analysis of the proposed Manawatu Trails.
