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Ontario By Bike Network:
Industry Update May
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Provincial Cycling News & Developments
We wanted to ensure that you and all our industry contacts are aware of the exciting developments in cycle tourism being put forth by the Government of Ontario. Working in a variety of capacities on province-wide projects and with many partners, Ontario By Bike is pleased to see what we have advocated for, the development and promotion of cycle tourism in Ontario, moving forward at the Provincial level.
Province Wide Cycling Network
A draft of the proposed network is now available to view and comment on. The development of this network has been a multi-year project and will continue to take time to implement but is an excellent step being taken forward by the Ministry of Transportation.
* Have your say
before May 12, when the comments close and the network moves towards being finalized.
www.ontario.ca/cycling
Tour By Bike - Ontario's Cycling Tourism Plan
Launched mid April by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, this plan will support and grow cycle tourism. Detailed in the 18-page document are 4 priority areas each outlining action items under the following areas:
- Products and Experience Development
- Strategic Marketing
- Advancing the Tourism Sector
- Making Evidence Based Decisions
Ontario By Bike will be working with a number of partners, government departments and agencies, to ensure that these action items are fulfilled and that Ontario continues to grow as a premier destination for cycle tourism. Find out more and download Plan HERE.
$50 Million for Cycling Infrastructure
Within the recent Provincial budget an allocation stemming from the Climate Change Action Plan and funded through Cap and Trade Revenue, was the announcement of $50 million for investments in commuter cycling infrastructure. Municipalities across the province will soon be able to apply for funding to be put towards cycling infrastructure projects, and what's good for local cyclists will also be good for visiting cyclists, cycle tourists. Read more
HERE.
Celebrate By Bike - Ontario150
Coming soon we will be launching an exciting series of cycling events in 15 communities across the province enabling cyclists to celebrate the sesquicentennial by bike. To augment the experience, 15 ride itineraries will also be developed that showcase signature trails and bicycle friendly destinations. Working with a coalition of partners including the
Waterfront Regeneration Trust,
Share the Road and the
Greenbelt Foundation, more information will be made available with a Celebrate by Bike launch in early June, at
www.ontariobybike.ca/150
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Innovative Ideas: Bicycle Branding for Business
How is your business marketing to the growing cycling market in Ontario?
Local businesses have an opportunity to cater to residents who cycle, as well as visiting cyclists by aligning lifestyle with services; whether that is a roof over one's head, a cup of coffee or a pint of Ontario craft beer.
We've seen a rise in bicycle-branded businesses across the province. This approach to niche marketing is paying off and continues to present opportunities for businesses to effectively build a community of loyal customers.
Here are a few businesses that seem to have tapped into this niche, link to more information by clicking on each graphic:
Enjoy unique (and tailored) 3-day cycling escapes at this luxury adult retreat located in the Haliburton Highlands.
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Grupetto brings together cycling apparel, premium coffee beans in a community minded space in Dundas!
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A destination bicycle café located in the picturesque village of Millbrook. Frog Cycles' shop
located upstairs!
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Lakefront Ontario Cycling Hostel caters to cyclists, hikers and small groups 10 mins from Presqu'ile Provincial Park along the Waterfront Trail in Northumberland County.
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Berlin Bicycle Cafe in Kitchener is about bicycles and coffee, two cultures that we all know go together.
Full service coffee shop and full service lifestyle bicycle shop.
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Nestled between Little Portugal, Queen West and Parkdale in Toronto, stop in to check out beautiful bikes, get a bike repaired, while enjoying a coffee and tasty bite to eat.
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A small batch brewery in Ottawa that is down to earth, makes great tasting craft beer & loves bikes! |
Owned by cyclists, this B&B backs on to the Elora Cataract Trailway. A
perfect starting point for cycling adventures.
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London Bicycle Cafe is set to open this spring and is calling themselves
Southwestern Ontario's Citizen Cyclery.
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While it's not necessary to brand an entire business with a cycling theme to draw in a crowd, consider offering a cycle-themed sandwich or coffee. How about decorating one of your rooms with cycling motifs? These can create memorable experiences for cyclists, who then may go on to recommend your location to friends, family and cycling compadres!
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New Ontario By Bike Regions
At the end of May, with support from Tourism Northern Ontario, the Network will expand further into the region with cycle tourism development workshops being hosted in
Sault Ste Marie, Blind River and Sudbury. Also, as part of our Destination and Partner Renewal Program, an additional workshop will be held on Manitoulin Island. With the launch of the 380 km, Lake Huron North Channel Cycling Route (part of the Trans Canada and Great Lakes Waterfront Trail) later this year, we're excited to be assisting
tourism businesses to become market-ready for cyclists in northern Ontario.
Online
registration
and information, including dates, times and
locations
for the
free workshops in northern Ontario visit:
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Eastern Ontario Active Transportation Summit
If you are living and working in eastern Ontario, consider attending the May 31st to June 1st Summit to learn more about "Building Healthy Active Communities." Through a series of presentations, shared best practices and interactive sessions discover how to make towns healthier, more vibrant and stronger economically.
Welcoming attendees and also speaking is Honourable Minister McMahon, Minister of Tourism Culture and Sport.
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Wondering where to connect with us this spring and summer?
If not by phone or email directly, you can find us:
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At Ride for Heart, June 4, Toronto, with our Ontario Cycle Tourism Information Booth
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In Peterborough June 15, attending the Kawarthas Northumberland annual partner meeting and marketplace
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Biking and blogging in Norfolk County, late June
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Hosting one of our popular Ontario By Bike Rides and small group tours, June 17-18 Stayner to Owen Sound, August 5-7 Gananoque to Cornwall, September 23-24 Uxbridge to Lakefield
- Around Halton Region as we complete a cycle tourism strategy for the area
- Across Ontario's Highlands, having recently hosted meetings in the area, and making plans to return for vacation time
- Cycling one of the new 9 self-guided rural routes we developed for the City of Ottawa
- At Celebrate By Bike, Ontario150 events around the province
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By taking a fun approach to an important topic, the 1 Metre Passing Law, we're hoping this video gets some solid traction and is shared far and wide.
Do you have any favourite videos or resources to share that effectively communicate cycling safety?
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Stay Connected with Ontario By Bike!
Share your destination or business posts using the hashtag #OntarioByBike!
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2017 Cycling In Ontario / Le vélo en Ontario Guide
As many of you have seen, the
2017 Cycling in Ontario / Le vélo en Ontario Guide
was published in February, and as in past years is moving fast.
There are only a few hundred French (12,000 printed) and a few thousand English (25,000 printed) copies remaining.
The publication has prompted daily requests from cyclists across Canada, the US and Ontario for cycling maps, destination insights and tourism information, which we happily assist with.
But large scale distribution would not be possible without help from partners around the province. Request physical copies to distribute to visitors from your business, visitor information centre or bike shop! The guide is very popular and will fly off the shelf. Simply send an email to
[email protected]
with your name, mailing address and preferred number of guides.
The free guide is
a key trip planning resource for cyclists looking to explore more of Ontario by bike. It
is packed full of road, trail and mountain bike self-guided itineraries, info on ride destinations, tours and events.
Visit
www.OntarioByBike.ca/2017 to view both French and English copies of the guide online or download as PDF file or post a link to it from your website.
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Update Your Listing or Sign Up to Participate
It's easy to register online to become an Ontario By Bike participating location and experience the many benefits.
If your business meets the criteria to become certified as bicycle friendly, simply visit Add Your Business page and follow the instructions. Once approved we will mail you a
welcome package that includes our branded decal in the mail.
If you have been a part of the Network for some time, you may want to check your listing and ensure the information we have for your location, online and viewed by cyclists, is updated and correct. If you need assistance making updates or accessing your account, do let us know.
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Industry & Consumer E-Newsletters
You are receiving our Industry E-Newsletter which is sent out two times or more annually to businesses certified as bicycle friendly, and contacts from around Ontario who have attended past workshops. The content includes updates from Ontario By Bike, marketing tips and promotional opportunities, best practices and trends in cycle tourism product development, featured businesses, new cycling infrastructure announcements and other valuable industry insight. To view past issues
click here.
We also publish a popular Consumer E-Newsletter, that reaches close to 8,000 cyclists.
We have a lot of fun putting together content for our 7+ annual issues and hope to inspire more consumers to explore
Ontario by bike.
We are always looking for content suggestions, so do send us your news.
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Let's Get Spinning!
What an update! Cycling in Ontario is gaining momentum and we're thrilled that you're part of making it a success. We have lots of work to do still, but working together there have been some great achievements for cycling and cycle tourism in our province. Let's get spinning!
We want to remind you to share information on your new cycling products, experiences and services for cyclists so we can in turn share your news with cyclists through our network, at events and through our consumer marketing channels!
We'll be sending out our industry newsletter again in the fall. If you have any industry news you'd like to be considered in the newsletter, feel free to connect at any time.
Cheers,
From Louisa & Michael
Ontario By Bike Network
Project of Transportation Options
850 Coxwell Ave ~ Toronto, ON ~ M4C 5R1
Office: 416-827-2774
Toll-Free: 1-866-701-2774
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