Tourism is an important economic sector on the Coast, and cycling is one of the fastest growing areas of recreation among adults in Canada. Put those together and add the close proximity to the Lower Mainland, and the Sunshine Coast has the opportunity to attract a major new source of tourism revenue, according to the Gibsons and District Chamber of Commerce.
To explore this opportunity, the Chamber, the Gibsons Visitor Information Centre and TraC (Transportation Choices) are holding a half-day workshop on cycling tourism on the morning of Friday, May 9, at the Gibsons Public Market.
The workshop will start with a presentation by Jack Becker, chair of the BC Cycling Coalition, on the business case for cycling tourism. This will be followed by a presentation on the Coast’s assets for bike tourism, including a segment by Powell River Tourism on cycling the upper Sunshine Coast.
To put this in perspective, the largest bike route in North America is La Route Verte in Quebec, which stretches for 4,000 km, pumping visitor dollars into rural communities. Closer to home, Oregon is developing scenic bikeways around the state.
Still closer to us, a 2012 TransLink survey shows cycling in Greater Vancouver rose 26 per cent from 2008 to 2012. Improved cycling infrastructure is encouraging people to ride bikes, and many of them are looking for fun weekend trips.
The cycling tourism workshop will be of particular interest to tourism related organizations and businesses, local government and infrastructure decision-makers, and cycling advocates. There is no cost, but attendees must register by emailing [email protected] or calling 604-886-2325.
See www.transportationchoices.ca or www.gibsonschamber.com for more information and the agenda.
