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| Welcome Cyclists Network UPDATE |
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More Regions - More Businesses - More Cyclists
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We've been busy - and we hope you have been too.
We are pleased to report that the Welcome Cyclists Network continues to spread its reach across Ontario. There are now 25 regions participating and even better - 730 certified bicycle friendly business locations now on-line and ready to receive the ever growing number of cycle tourists.
The workshops that launch the Network in new regions continue to be well attended and often inspire business operators and regional groups to take their offering to the next level. We have just completed our 36th workshop in 4 years, and have enjoyed every single one of them, meeting people like you and supporting the development of cycle tourism product in all participating regions.
 New regions and businesses joining the Network this spring include: Renfrew County, Ottawa Valley; Simcoe County - with more workshops scheduled for autumn; Windsor, Essex County, Pelee Island; and Toronto. - Welcome! - We will resume our workshop series in the fall, after the busy tourist summer season, and look forward to connecting with a number of additional regions that have already expressed an interest in the program. www.welcomecyclists.ca |
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Feature Location - Bonnechere Caves
| | No participating location has taken to welcoming cyclists with such an original spin and unbounded enthusiasm more than Bonnechere Caves.
Located at Eganville, this Ottawa Valley attraction has created an ongoing event that invites cyclists to reach the 'peak' of nearby Foymount Hill (500m high!), and whose attraction, beyond the incredible views across the valley, have it as an original cold-war-era radar station location and highest populated point in Ontario.
Participants returning to the Caves, where parking and refreshments are always available for cyclists, then have the opportunity to purchase an 'I Cycled Foymount Hill' T-shirt commemorating their effort.
Get a taste of what it's all about - Meet owner and entrepreneur Chris in this video: LINK HERE
www.bonnecherecaves.com
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Feature Destination
Lennox & Addington County Trails
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Offering 12 well mapped and signed road routes with plenty of paved shoulders, there are over 600km of great cycling around and north from the Napanee area.
While these trails have been available for a number of years, the folks at L&A have created a new promotion for 2013 called 'Do the Dozen Challenge'. Cyclists are invited to go anytime, cycle at their own pace and check into way-finding points along the way. Once complete, their name will go down in history and they become eligible to win a prize pack worth $500.
www.lennox-addington.on.ca
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Cycle Tourism Conference Re-Cap
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On March 1, we held a conference focused on cycle tourism with an attention catching theme of:
Bikes Mean Business - Celebrating and Capitalizing on Ontario's Growing Cycle Tourism Industry
 Throughout the day, we heard from 24 speakers, all sharing stories and information showcasing cycle tourism. Here are some highlights that show the growth of the sector:
- Domestique Caf� Cyclo Sportif in Dundas serves up to 500 cyclists per summer weekend.
- WindsorEats Wine Trail Rides generate approximately $10,000 in local spending on each 5-6 hour sold-out tour
- 42% of the 2,800 riders that participated in the Blue Mountain Centurion Cycling event in 2012 had visited the area at least once prior to the event, to train. The average spend per rider on event weekend was $331.
- 2012's Crank the Shield mountain biking race brought 250 people over three days to Sir Sam's Ski and Bikes in the Haliburton Highlands, spending an estimated $100,000 in the area.
- Ontario has 330 independent bike retailers, increasing by 80 new stores in the past 5 years.
You can read more in our post conference publication that is now available on-line. Jam packed with info, stats and photos, this attractive 28-page booklet is a great resource and really captures the state of the sector's development.
Download PDF or view at: www.welcomecyclists.ca/octf13
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New Trails & Routes for Cyclists
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Many regions are actively developing new trails and routes suitable for cyclists of varied abilities, or having already developed these, are actively marketing them. Some great road routes have been published on the following cycling maps new for 2013: Durham Cycle Tours; The Great Waterway Cycling Map; Toronto Cycling Map; Cornwall Cycling Map; and the Norfolk Garden Tour Map, to name a few.
Lake Erie Waterfront Trail 
This new 600km, fully signed trail, that starts in Lakeshore, near Windsor, follows the shoreline of Lake St Clair, the Detroit River and Lake Erie all the way to Fort Erie on the Niagara River, is set to open this August. Detailed maps will soon be available helping cyclists navigate their way on daytrips, multi-day tours or province wide rides as this trail links to the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail and goes all the way to the Quebec border. www.waterfronttrail.org
Greenbelt Cycling Route 
We are pleased to be a part of the team that is currently working to develop a new 600+km route that will take cyclists through the Greenbelt areas of the 'Golden Horseshoe' - Cobourg to Niagara. Partnering with Waterfront Regeneration Trust, and funded by the Greenbelt Foundation, this route will be primarily on roads, connect to many wonderful Greenbelt attractions and businesses, and is scheduled to open summer 2015. www.greenbeltcycles.com
Ontario Bicycle Strategy
The Ministry of Transportation has taken some steps forward with this new strategy that is currently in its final review and to be complete by fall 2013. One of the key recommendations is the development of an Ontario-wide bicycle network, which has the potential to significantly bolster our cycle tourism product. Currently there are no specifics, timelines or funding allocated to this part of the strategy, but we are keen to see how this develops further and will endeavour to keep you informed. Review draft HERE.
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| Ontario Welcome Cyclists Partnership June Meeting | |
Just this week our new industry partnership and advisory committee had its bi-annual web conference. Launched in 2012, the Ontario Welcome Cyclists Partnership (OWCP) is intended to bring together industry partners to better facilitate destination development and promotion of cycle tourism across the province. The advisory committee is comprised of industry representatives from regional areas and organizations.
The June meeting was a great opportunity for all participants to share updates and information from their perspective. What was apparent is that there are many new and exciting projects underway, that will benefit the development of cycle tourism in Ontario.
We also thank the advisory committee for their assistance with the programming for our March conference.
For more information visit: www.transportationoptions.org/owcp
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| Tracking Number of Cyclists | |
If you can, track the number of cyclists coming to your location this summer or even for a single month. This information may be of value to you and if collected year-over-year becomes a useful data set.
Keep it simple or add this to a larger visitor tracking project. To see a sample of tracking sheets we created that may be of assistance to you, go to our 'participants-only' page (login here) where they are available for downloading.
We would be pleased to receive any information you collect and are able to share. Just let us know.
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Identify Your Location as Bicycle Friendly
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 Let cyclists know that your location is bicycle friendly!
Include the easily identifiable logo on print materials or on your website, and be sure to include a link back to us.
Also available is our 7"x7" all weather sign, that is perfect for hanging on road-side sign posts for all passers-by to see. $30 includes shipping; contact us for more info.
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Last Chance: Ontario Recreational Trails Map Series
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Businesses looking to outreach to cyclists and recreational trail users may want to consider participating in this marketing opportunity.
AdverMap is busy getting ready to reprint their popular map series. For as little as $500 you can reach 500,000 potential customers using these maps.
Welcome Cyclists Network participating locations will receive a 10% discount on rates, but book soon as this offer has only been extended to July 15.
More info at: www.advermap.com
Or call: (416) 698-5063
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2013 - Ontario Cycle Tourism Information Event Centre
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Our information centre, distributing cycling maps and info from destinations around the province, continues to draw crowds of interested cyclists at all events we display at.
This winter and spring we were able to connect with thousands of cyclists at the following events:
- Outdoor Adventure Show, Toronto
- Green Living Show
- GTHA Bike-to-Work Days
- MEC Bikefest, Toronto
- Toronto International Bicycle Show
- Montreal Bike Show
- Becel Ride for Heart
... and more
 | | Ride for Heart 2013 |
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| Like Our Facebook Page | |
Welcome Cyclists Network
Connect with industry and consumers on our Facebook page!
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| Are You a Certified Location? | |
It's easy to register on-line to become a Welcome Cyclists participating location.
If your business meets the criteria to become certified as bicycle friendly, just:
� Go to our Join the Network page
� Review the certification criteria and program information
� Create an account and follow the instructions to add information about your business
Registration will be reviewed and your listing added within 48 business hours. Look forward to receiving a welcome package with decal in the mail.
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| Already a Participant? | |
Update your basic listing with a description and logo or photo.
� Go to the website's Join the Network page
� Log into your on-line account, navigate to your listing, and edit.
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| Consumer E-Newsletter | |
This is our industry e-newsletter which we issue twice a year to stay in touch with our Network participants, workshop attendees and tourism partners.
If you're interested in also receiving our consumer e-newsletter, sent to 4000+ subscribers monthly for 8 months of the year, sign up HERE.
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| Missed Industry E-Newsletters? | |
To catch up on any information you may have missed, check out previous issues. Sent biannually, this is our fourth issue.
Industry E-Newsletter archives.
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| Pedal Magazine Offers |
 In June we got together with our established partner Pedal Magazine, to offer our 'consumer' e-news subscribers a 30% discount on subscriptions to this popular Canadian cycling magazine. You can access the same deal at:
Print and on-line advertising opportunities are available. For more details contacting Pedal directly at (866) 977-3325. |
With Thanks to Our 2013
Sponsors & Funding Partners | |
For a complete list of partners, visit:
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| As the peak summer season begins, we thank you for taking the time to check in with us, catching up with the Welcome Cyclists Network by reading our biannual e-newsletter. We hope that lots of two-wheeled visitors find their way to your location, and that you too are perhaps able to get out there on a bike yourself, to participate in the fun that your clients are experiencing.
Email us with your comments or suggestions at any time. We value your input.
Sincerely,
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Louisa Mursell & Robert Pylypiw & Joanne Hurley
Phone:: 416-827-2774 or 1-866-701-2774
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