Bicyclists Bring Business: Attracting bicyclists to NY canal communities

BBBThe growing interest in bicycle tourism can help communities bring in significant economic benefits while promoting local natural and historic heritage.

Studies consistently show that bicycle and other outdoor tourists come from high-income households and will travel significant distances to regions offering a good mix of cycling, attractions, and services.

To help local business people discover how to make the most of this emerging opportunity, Parks & Trails New York and the New York State Canal Corporation have published a free guide “Bicyclists Bring Business!” and are holding roundtables in communities along the Canalway Trail. The guide and roundtables cover the demographics and needs of the bicycle tourist, tips on making communities and businesses more bicycle-friendly, the types of infrastructure needed to accommodate bicycles and bicyclists, and ways to market to outdoor recreationalists.

The Erie Canal Corridor has all the right ingredients to become an international bicycle touring destination: a premier off-road trail, peaceful country roads with wide shoulders, picturesque villages, impressive historic sites and museums, charming B&B’s and inns, ample campgrounds, and country stores and farm stands. With the Canalway Trail expanding across the state and the renown of the Erie Canal growing, more and more cyclists are choosing to take their vacation in Upstate New York.

Roundtables held in Brockport, Canajoharie, Glens Falls, Jordan, Lockport, Palmyra, Schuylerville, Utica, and Waterford have generated lots of excitement and ideas from hundreds of local business people, tourism professionals, elected officials, and interested citizens.  For summaries of the specific roundtables, click on the location names below.

Roundtable suggestions for increasing local bicycle tourism:

  • share and distribute information about benefits of bicycle tourism via meetings, signage, maps, brochures, and public education among business owners, tourism offices, and nearby attractions
  • focus on services that are particularly important to bicyclists, such as lodging and campsites, local maps, transport of luggage, bicycle repairs and bicycle security
  • link local trails into a larger network of potential users
  • promote local events and bicycle-friendliness on web and elsewhere
  • anticipate issues that may arise, such as trail appropriateness for bicycles and conflicts with walkers and motorized vehicles
  • modest investments can result in a substantial boost for tourism

Bicyclists Bring Business Roundtable Summaries

Contact Parks & Trails New York with any questions and to sign up for PTNY’s E-News, which will include notices about upcoming Bicyclists Bring Business Roundtables and other news about NY’s parks and trails.

 

  

 
           
 

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