1 / 23

Lake Erie Cycling Route Leaders Mobile Workshop Outcomes

Lake Erie Cycling Route Leaders Mobile Workshop Outcomes. Marlaine Koehler Executive Director Waterfront Regeneration Trust December 2011. Part of the Lake Erie Coastal Stewardship Trail Network Lake Erie Cycling Touring Route connecting to the

loc
Download Presentation

Lake Erie Cycling Route Leaders Mobile Workshop Outcomes

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Lake Erie Cycling Route Leaders Mobile Workshop Outcomes Marlaine Koehler Executive Director Waterfront Regeneration Trust December 2011

  2. Part of the Lake Erie Coastal Stewardship Trail Network Lake Erie Cycling Touring Routeconnecting to the Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence River Waterfront Trail 1400 km from Windsor to Quebec

  3. Lake Erie Cycle Route--Overview • 600 km from Windsor to Fort Erie along Lake Erie shoreline • continuous, signed route • connect 27+ communities • Use existing infrastructure (mostly roads; some trails) • connect to the 720 km Waterfront Trail via the Greater Niagara Circle Route • Part of the Carolinian Canada Coalition’s Lake Erie Coastal Stewardship Trail • themed experiences for a variety of users (canoeing, hiking, cycling) designed to promote and steward the region’s unique ecosystem

  4. Lake Erie Cycling Route Project-- March to September Goal -- Signed route in place by 2012-2013 Initiate discussions with waterfront communities Field research Partners Meeting--May 18th Map the draft route 19 maps released today verify the maps and route during the September 12 to 17 workshop Pilot cycling tour and workshop of the proposed route in Fall 2011 Coordinate trail-wide way-finding program Launch the route Partners: Carolinian Canada Coalition Transportation Options (Welcome Cyclists, Bike Train) Share the Road (Bike Friendly Communities) Funded by the Ontario Government (Ministry of Tourism)

  5. LECR Mobile Workshop • Over the course of the 6-day workshop over 80 people offered their thoughts on their experience of the proposed route for the Lake Erie Cycling Route. To capture the evaluations, the WRT organized daily facilitated discussions, usually conducted at lunch and on occasion at breakfast. Each participant was asked to offer one positive and one “needs improvement” comment for the section of the route experienced that day. • Overall the LERC received excellent ratings from the participants and municipalities. Some areas where improvements are needed have been identified and approaches to deal with these concerns have been discussed. There is a strong agreement among participants that the project should proceed toward signage and launch.  

  6. LECR Mobile Workshop--Findings • Windsor’s waterfront was an unexpected surprise to participants. Public art, excellent wayfinding, wide, paved path, being close the water’s edge were favourite attributes. • Sections of the route are remote (e.g. Chatham Kent), with few services. Suggested that the maps or website identify businesses that could offer water or other necessities. • Route adjustments: • route needs to be re-worked to bring people to the Pelee Point National Park and strongly recommend that they enter the park • Connect to Erieau • Chatham Kent route will follow Concession 3 rather than Talbot Trail (CR3). Concession 3 is quiet, very safe but unpaved and in early spring or when wet, the rough surface will be very unpleasant. It is also farther from the water. CR 3 is smooth, but does not have paved shoulders. There is a grade change in the surface from the road to the shoulder. The road is frequently used by trucks. Decision to stay on Concession 3 and advise that experienced cyclists on road bikes travelling outside of harvest time when truck traffic peaks, may prefer CR 3.

  7. LECR Mobile Workshop--Findings • International bridges should serve as the two termini of the Trail to reflect interest in serving US cycling market. • Proximity to Lake is preferred. • Loved the extensive heritage interpretation along the route. • The Provincial Parks represent a major asset and facility along the route. However, it may be difficult for a cyclists to know that they can access the park for water or bathrooms or to enjoy the beach. Participants urge us to promote the services and facilities that are available to cyclists passing through and for those who plan to stay overnight or longer • Hilly, forested terrain of Norfolk County is seen as unique along Lake Erie. It offered a nice change and challenge. • Wind Interpretation Centre recognized as a fascinating asset and excellent stop. • Need to identify and promote places where it is possible to access the Lake, particularly in areas where there is extensive private ownership at the water’s edge. • Very few bike stores from Elgin to Norfolk. • Wineries are very welcoming to cyclists • Burning Kiln eco-resort represents new and unique attraction

  8. LECR Mobile Workshop--Findings • Warmer climate creates longer cycling season along Lake Erieextends tourism into shoulder seasons (May to October). Competitive advantage over Lake Ontario and Quebec routes • Emerging trail connections including abandoned railway lines will enhance the product (lake-wide loop, Essex county region loop, Greater Niagara Circle Route, Brantford to Port Dover) • Local excitement for the route. Great media coverage of the workshop. • The success of the Waterfront Trail along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River has created an interest in cycle touring and this group will likely be among the first to travel the LECR. Many visitors are looking to the next “experience”. The GWTA fan page was filled with cheering comments from cycling enthusiasts eager to explore the new Lake Erie route. Indicates great potential for cross promotion. • Since the Mobile Workshop, RTO 1 recognizes the potential of cycling tourism for the region and has identified it as one of its strategic directions. Discussing with Welcome Cyclists how to bring that program to the region.

  9. Highlights from expert presentations • Velo Quebec • Michigan Trails Alliance • Transportation Options • Share the Road • Ontario Parks

  10. Safety Presentation Plan The big picture… • 1987 – 2010 • # bicycles have doubled • cyclists + 50 % • crashes (with cars) • deaths  58 % • Severe injured 72 % • Light  52 % • « Safety in numbers »

  11. The Cycle Tourists Bicycle trips* among cycling population 600 000 trips (400 000 in 2005) 5 days of cycling during their trip: -1,6 M days/biking -1,3 M overnights * At least one overnight

  12. The bottom line..... • Cyclists spend more (108$ VS 52$) • Quebec cyclists spend $166 M annually • Stay longer (7.5 vs 3.1) and travel more often • May until the end of September

  13. 2011 Grand Tour Desjardins in Ontario • Grand Tour-8 day recreational, fully supported tour • 14 years • First time in Ontario in 2011 • 2,200 Quebec cyclists (a new record!) • Kingston (2 nights): The Velo Grand Tour spent a total of $38,791 in guest rooms at the Holiday Inn and around $600.00 in Meeting room fees. Does not include food revenue. • 82% of respondents indicated they are now motivated for a return trip…would translate into 1,517 new visitors! • 54% first time cycling in Ontario • 51% rate Ontario as an excellent cycling destination • 49% rate Ontario as a good. • Lake Erie promoted to attendees at the Ontario pavilion.

  14. Tourism Potential--USA $46.9 billion is spent on meals, transportation, lodging, gifts and entertainment during bike trips and tours. Source: League of American Bicyclists Darren Flusche Policy Analyst, June 2009 Waterfront Trail recognized as one of Canada’s best cycling touring routes in most recent edition of Adventure Cyclists (48,000 members)

  15. Tourism Potential--Detroit, Michigan Michigan Trails Alliance, Adventure Cyclists connecting communities with a growing network of local and U.S. Bicycle System routes (including the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route that continues into Ontario), with a goal to make Detroit a cycling hub in the Midwest. Ferry service to transport cyclists across the Detroit River.

  16. Who Are Cycle Tourists?Ontario From Transportation Options... Research from Ontario and beyond consistently shows similar demographic profiles. Cycle tourists are largely made up of well educated, middle to senior ranking professionals, with higher than average incomes. 71% of Bike Train passengers choose to stay overnight. Data collected by the Bike Train 2007 to 2009 shows the following correlations to information collected elsewhere: 50% are aged 30 to 50 years 51% were female 46% have a household yearly income over $75,000 9% of Ontarians cycle on vacation 54% of Torontonians are cyclists

  17. From Share the Road • Support for Cycling: Poll Results (June 2011) • 28% of Ontarians are regular cyclists (at least once a month)– up from 24% in 2009 • 53% would like to cycle more often • 60% cite fear as the number one reason why they don’t cycle

  18. Cycling and Parks Go Together Rentals in 22 parks Trails within and between parks and local municipalities E.g. Algonquin, Silent Lake, MacGregor Point/Port Elgin; Pinery/Grand Bend Lake Ontario North Shore Increasing experience with cyclists – many on 2-3 week trips Roofed Accommodation Continued growth and new product Willing participant in an overall Provincial strategy.

  19. Considerations for Development of Cycle Touring Free day-use access; concerns with price for camping overnight Local vs longer distance cycling Group size - group campsites often have limited facilities Distances from park gate to campgrounds and to comfort stations Strength in partnerships with communities and local associations/tourism organizations Can-do attitude of staff: wood delivery, route planning advice

  20. Marketing and Communications Research www.OntarioParks.com Blog/Twitter Insider Media Relations Consumer Shows Parks Guide Other print and online promotional activities

  21. Lake Erie Cycling Routepart of the Lake Erie Coastal Stewardship Trail Presenting Partners Municipal Partners Project Partners Mobile Workshop Partners

More Related