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Ontario By Bike Network:
Industry Update - April 2019
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New Research & Sector Report:
Cycle Tourism in Ontario
Presented as part of the proceedings at the Cycle Tourism Conference on March 1, the report has been well received by industry partners to date. Now we wanted to ensure a wider range of tourism stakeholders, partners and contacts had access to the information included within the report that substantiates the growth of the sector and provides further insight into the market. The report helps create a case for investment in cycle tourism and may be of value supporting the work many are doing both regionally and at a more local level.
Included within is information on: market demographics, ride and travel preferences; impact on tourism businesses; marketing and communications; bike retail insight; cycling events; and more. The new report builds on our last sector report,
From Niche to Now, that was published in 2015.
Download the report at the direct link above or access it through our Ontario Research page at: www.TransportationOptions.org/research
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4th Cycle Tourism Conference Canada - A Success!
The Cycle Tourism Conference Canada was held on March 1, 2019 in Toronto. Coordinated by Ontario By Bike / Transportation Options, this was the fourth conference of its type we have hosted (previously held in 2016, 2013 and 2009). With the continued growth of, and interest in, this sector in Ontario, across Canada and internationally, the timing worked well with over 150 attendees joining us from across Canada, the United States, Germany and Italy.
The full 2019 Cycle Tourism Conference program, as well as presentations from experts who presented at the conference, can be be found online at www.OntarioByBike.ca/CTC19
The 2019 Cycle Tourism Conference was made possible by the generous support of the following partners and sponsors:
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Inaugural Bicycle Friendly Business Awards
In 2019, Ontario By Bike certified its 1,500th business as 'bicycle friendly'!
To celebrate this milestone and to showcase the efforts these businesses are undertaking to welcome cyclists and create positive experiences for
pedaling
patrons and cycle tourists in Ontario, Ontario By Bike hosted the inaugural Bicycle Friendly Business Awards in conjunction with the 4th Cycle Tourism Conference Canada.
A nomination and selection process was put forward in December to help Ontario By Bike choose 13 businesses, one from each of Ontario's 13 Tourism Regions, which excelled at welcoming cyclists and building a cycle tourism market in their region.
All award winners will be profiled in our monthly
consumer enewsletter, reaching 14,500+ cyclists.
Look out for your opportunity to participate and win an award for your region in 2020.
to tips on how to cater to, and build more business from cyclists!
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7th Annual Cycling in Ontario Guide
This 40-page guide is packed full of resources, feature stories and over 50 self-guided day-trip and overnight itineraries for recreational and experienced cyclists, as well as mountain bikers. It's no surprise both English and French versions are moving fast.
To request copies of this free publication, and to assist with distribution, email quantity and shipping address to
[email protected]
.
Consider posting the guide on social media or linking to a digital copy in English and French on your website to help inspire more people to explore Ontario by bike.
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We are moving forward with our destination partner renewals for 2019, having hosted a series of Cycle Tourism webinars earlier in April for stakeholders across Lambton County, London, as well as the County of Brant / Brantford.
If you are located in the following jurisdictions you may be interested in participating in one of the two remaining free Cycle Tourism webinars for 2019 for
Waterloo Region (April 29) &
City of Ottawa (May 23).
We are currently verifying all certified locations in these regions.
If your business is located in one of the following areas, please assist us by taking less than 5 minutes to verify your listing:
If you are located in one of these regions you've likely received correspondence from us and we ask that you verify your business listing and information for consumers.
Thank you!
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Voyageur Cycling Route Mobile Workshops
Ontario By Bike / Transportation Options recently completed a consulting contract delivering a marketing strategy for the developing Voyageur Cycling Route, that when complete will stretch 650km between Sudbury and Ottawa.
The eastern expansion of the route from Mattawa to Ottawa, is now underway. To help facilitate its further development and build awareness, Discovery Routes Trail Organization, who are leading the development of this route, along with partners, are hosting a mobile workshop June 3 to 6. Each day participants are invited to morning presentations followed by a test ride on section of route. For more details on the Voyageur Cycling Route and to find out how to participate in the mobile workshops visit:
www.DiscoveryRoutes.ca/vcr/expansion
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In 2018, Ontario By Bike began working with tourism and event partners across Ontario to develop Content Partnerships aimed at raising awareness of cycling experiences and resources available to cyclists in partnering regions.
Here's what one partner had to share:
"
Marketing with Ontario By Bike has been incredibly helpful to us. We see the results in the information requests and the groups from further afield planning overnight stays in the region (a group of New Yorkers are coming this summer).
"
For more information on Content Partnerships with Ontario By Bike, send an email to [email protected]
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Stay Connected with Ontario By Bike!
Share your destination or business posts using the hashtag #OntarioByBike & #BikeON!
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We are turning over a new leaf here at Ontario By Bike, and are saying goodbye to our long time Project Manager, Michael McCreesh at the end of April.
Michael has been the lead contact for many businesses and partners over the past 4.5 years, has provided incredible support and helped lead the growth of the program with much hard work and dedication.
We are excited for Michael as he and his family make a move to Taiwan in the coming months, where we are certain he will be checking out the bike scene and exploring more of the beautiful island by bike, as a cycle tourist, in between pursuing other opportunities and enjoying time with family.
Thank you Michael.
We look forward to introducing you to our new staff person in the coming months. In the meantime, please do get in touch at any time via email or phone, we are happy to assist with any inquiries.
From Louisa Mursell
Ontario By Bike Network
Project of Transportation Options
850 Coxwell Ave ~ Toronto, ON ~ M4C 5R1
Office: 416-827-2774 or
Toll-Free: 1-866-701-2774
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