February 1, 2023 - Participation in outdoor activities, including cycling for all its recreational, health and ease of transportation benefits, has never been higher. Over the past few years, paired with the fact that travelling closer to home has been a primary option, destinations across Ontario, Canada, USA and the world are rolling on with tourism planning. Many have plans, developments and promotions that include a focus on capturing the growing cycle tourism market – visitors who enjoy bicycling while on vacation.

Cycle tourism is a hot market in destinations in Europe with countries like France leading the way and attributing 5.1 billion euros of economic benefits annually to cycle tourism per year in France. The Great American Rail Trail, currently 53% complete, estimates that it will generate more than $229.4 million USD in visitor spending.

On March 2, an impressive line-up of international and Canadian experts will be presenting and sharing their experience and best practises at the Cycle Tourism Conference Canada. Joining speakers from across Canada, Ontario and USA, representatives from both France and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in USA and many more will be participating at this highly anticipated conference.

Hosted by Ontario By Bike / Transportation Options, the fifth Cycle Tourism Conference Canada, last held in 2019, is on the calendar for industry professionals from both the public and private sectors. Attendees will benefit from the learning opportunities and in-person networking at this one day only conference being held in Toronto, getting the wheels turning in anticipation of an early 2023 cycling and tourism season.

Offering further ride inspiration, Ontario By Bike will be releasing its 11^th annual Cycling in Ontario / Le vélo en Ontario guide, a free and popular 56 page publication used by cyclists of all types as a trip planning resource, available in both French and English, at the conference. The best bicycle friendly business awards for 2023 will be announced during a special presentation at the conference, with tourism business owners present to accept the awards and recognition for taking the extra steps to welcome this lucrative and ever-growing market.

Quick Facts:

• In 2019, there were 1.6 million cycling visits in Ontario, representing 1.2% of total visits in Ontario.
• Cycling visitors in Ontario spent $644 million, accounting for 2% of total visitor spending in Ontario.
• Cycling visitors generally spend more on average per trip than other visitors, $404/trip for cycling tourists compared to $223/trip for all other visitors. Cycling tourists in Ontario stay longer than regular visitors, 3.7 nights compared to Ontario’s average of 1.4 nights.
• 175 attendees are expected at the Cycle Tourism Conference Canada.
• Conference is funded in part by Government of Ontario.
• 40,000 print copies of the Cycling in Ontario / Le velo en Ontario guide are distributed annually.

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