The
Rusty Spoke
News and Views from the Vancouver
Island Cycle Tourism Alliance
February
2003
1.
Seaside
Touring Route inventory
released
2.
Map and Guide available in time for Bike to Work Week
3.
Stats Can says Victoria is still tops
4.
Trail Tourism Gets a Boost
5.
Vancouver Votes Yes
See the Seaside
VICTA
Chair Brian Hobson and Coordinator John Luton have created a route sign
database for planning, analysis and promotions. Created after and inquiry from
a Colorado journalist, the MS Excel spreadsheet pinpoints sign locations and
identifies prominent features along a spectacular route directionally signed
through 3 municipalities and salted with more than 20 public beaches over 30
km. For a copy of the inventory, contact: jluton@horizon.bc.ca
The
Seaside Route can be traced
on the recreational ride maps produced by volunteers of the Greater Victoria
Cycling Coalition. http://www.gvcc.bc.ca/
Map and Guide Targets May Release
Vancouver Island's cycling hotspots and
supportive businesses will be profiled in the 1st edition of the Islands
Cycling Guide under assembly by the Vancouver Island Cycle Tourism Alliance.
The product will aim to highlight services and destinations around the Georgia
Basin in easy reach of cycle tourists and day trippers visiting the region For
information on VICTA's Map and Guide and supportive membership program, contact
jluton@horizon.bc.ca or see rates at www.cycletourism.com Deadline is April
15th, 2003.
Census Figures on Transportation Released
Victoria is still the
cycling capital of Canada. Figures
released in February show that 1.2% of Canadians bicycle to work compared to
.4% in the US. Victoria out-pedals
every major city in North America with 4.8% of
the population bicycling as the primary commute mode. View the numbers at:
http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/Products/Analytic/companion/pow/ftorbike.cfm
Province Plans More Trail Work
Trail
planning work to support tourism objectives will focus on BC's Kettle Valley
Rail Trail says a BC government news release.
The
Ministry has identified 2,000 kilometres of abandoned rail corridors that could
be converted to trails. Under the pilot project work will be done to develop a
management plan for opening up 273 kilometres of rail corridors near Penticton and Princeton, including
funding, implementation and maintenance. Tourism BC will be a
partner in developing strategic marketing for the Rails to Trails program. Cowichan Valley and Grand Forks will
also be considered for similar projects. http://www.gov.bc.ca/
Olympic Bid Endorsed
64%
of Vancouver residents
voted yes to the 2010 Winter Games bid. Turnout was a strong 46% of city
voters. Whistler, central to the Games, is also a popular summer destination
for mountain bikers and bound to attract the active travel market exposed
through the Olympics.
Get
Maps:
VICTA will carry an extensive library of local maps and information guides
covering Vancouver Island. Contact: jluton@horizon.bc.ca
Got an event or tourism tip? Favourite
Ride? Share it with The
Rusty Spoke. jluton@horizon.bc.ca
This issue's event profile:
Bike to Work Week 2003
In
2002, more than 300 teams and 3,500 cyclists participated in the 4th annual
commuter challenge. 500 cyclists an hour passed over the Selkirk Trestle every
weekday morning. A restored timber rail trestle, the bridge links downtown Victoria to 100
kilometres of regional trails popular with locals and visitors alike. For more
information on Bike to Work Week visit http://biketoworkvictoria.ca/
The
Rusty Spoke is John Luton, Coordinator of the Vancouver Island Cycle Tourism
Alliance and Chair of the Victoria Host Committee for Pro Bike - Pro Walk 2004.
22 Philippa Place; Victoria, BC; V8S 1S6;
250-592-4753/250-886-4166 (cell) jluton@horizon.bc.ca