Touting Trail Tourism in Utica

2017 Bicyclists Bring Business Events Head to Utica

Join Parks & Trails New York and the New York State Canal Corporation as we hit the trail to Utica for our annual "Bicyclists Bring Business: Canalway Trail Tourism for Your Downtown!" event. We're excited to discuss how Utica, Oneida County, and the Mohawk Valley can further develop as cycling destinations.

This year's event is sponsored by City of Utica, Oneida County Tourism, Oneida County Health Department, and Utica Bike Rescue, Homegrown Bicycle Adventures, and Mohawk Valley GIS.

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The Evening Roundtable will to be held at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, September 12 at thINCubator (326 Broad Street, Utica) , After light refreshments, the evening’s presentations and discussion will provide a brief background on bicycle tourism on the Erie Canalway Trail, update attendees on Utica’s growing urban cycling network and future connections to the Empire State Trail, showcase a new Bike Friendly New York business certification program, and offer ideas for making Utica and Oneida County a premier cycling destination.

All Attendees will receive a copy of the handbook, Bicyclists Bring Business: A Guide to Attracting Bicyclists to New York's Canal Communities.

As a follow-up to the presentation, staff from Utica Bike Rescue will lead a Community Bike-a-Round, heading out from the thINCubator parking lot at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, September 13. Bring your bike and helmet. We’ll ride on parts of the Erie Canalway Trail, experience Utica’s downtown cycling network, and check out new recreational loop routes from the perspective of a cycling tourist. We’ll make stops to discuss connection to local points of interest and opportunities for improved infrastructure, programming, and promotion. After the ride, we’ll review findings from the Bike-a-Round during lunch at a local restaurant.

According to a 2014 study, the Erie Canalway Trail experiences more than 1.58 million visits per year, and spending by ECT visitors generates approximately $253 million in annual economic impact. Oneida County’s 25 miles of existing Canalway Trail feature scenic views of the Mohawk River and connect the cities of Rome and Utica to the statewide trail network. With the County’s remaining gap section scheduled to be closed by 2020 as part of Governor Cuomo’s Empire State Trail vision, and the region’s unique combination of big-city amenities and access to the Mohawk Valley and Southern Adirondacks, Utica is well positioned to become a premier destination for cycling tourists and other recreationalists.

Bicyclists Bring Business is presented in one Canalway Trail community each year by Parks & Trails New York and the NYS Canal Corporation. In additions to the hosts listed above, this year’s event is also being sponsored by Homegrown Bicycle Adventures and Mohawk Valley GIS. Space is limited, so please RSVP at ptny.org/events or by emailing B3roundtable@ptny.org by September 5. Registration is required for the September 13 Community Bike-a-Round.

Event details:

EVENING ROUNDTABLE
thINCubator
326 Broad Street, Utica
Tuesday, September 12
Light refreshments at 5:30 PM, Program begins at 6 PM

COMMUNITY BIKE-A-ROUND
Wednesday, September 13
Meet at thINCubator at 10 AM
Participants must bring their own bike and helmet
Ride will be followed by discussion over lunch at a local eatery

See you in Utica!




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