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Recreation economy highlighted at Axios NWA event

Recreation economy highlighted at Axios NWA event

More than 200 people gathered at the Record in Bentonville last Thursday for an Axios event focused on the recreation economy in the Natural State. At the event, Tom Walton, co-founder of holding company Runway Group, alluded to an announcement related to gravel cycling. What’s happening: Runway will on Monday reveal the Arkansas Rural Recreational Roads initiative — Arkansas R3 — that will designate specific routes where cyclists can enjoy low-traffic, dirt- and gravel-road cycling.

Willowbrook wins Bentonville school biking initiative

Willowbrook wins Bentonville school biking initiative

Willowbrook Elementary School won the top prize in a bike contest to promote student health and to better understand school infrastructure needs, according to campaign organizers. Runway Group will donate more than $40,000 to Bentonville schools in response to the students’ cycling efforts, said Krista Cupp, Runway’s communications director. Steuart Walton and Tom Walton, Runway founders, are funding the grants, she said. Tom Walton delivered the prize to Willowbrook on Wednesday by bicycle.

Rapha headed to Bentonville, Arkansas, to open pop-up retail store

Rapha headed to Bentonville, Arkansas, to open pop-up retail store

Rapha brings its pop-up retail store to this growing cycling destination in Northwest Arkansas for a five-week run, featuring apparel, group rides, and events. The company moved its headquarters to Bentonville last year.

Beginning Oct. 1, the cycling apparel brand will open its Clubhouse at 117 W. Central Ave. in downtown. The Clubhouse will showcase Rapha’s latest collections and be home base for several events and community activities, including pro athlete meet-and-greets, cyclocross viewing parties, and trail advocacy initiatives.

Bentonville bike initiative to help identify school infrastructure needs

Bentonville bike initiative to help identify school infrastructure needs

The Walton Family Foundation studies show cycling was responsible for $137 million in benefits brought to Northwest Arkansas in 2017, according to the 2018 Economic and Health Benefits of Bicycling in Northwest Arkansas. That figure includes $51 million in economic activity and $86 million in health benefits. The foundation has invested in cycling over the past decade, including $74 million to help build 163 miles of soft-surface and paved bike trails across the region.

District schools are helping to further identify needs by encouraging students to ride bikes to school in September through the Bike Bentonville Schools campaign, said Leslee Wright, district communications director.

The district has partnered with Runway Group for the initiative, she said.