News and Views from the Vancouver Island Cycle
Tourism Alliance
March
10, 2003
1.
Sport Host promotes Vancouver Island
2.
British Columbia Magazine Sells
Victoria
3.
Building for Cyclists: Victoria's Bike
Box
4.
Tour de Garden City Partners with GVCC
5.
Event Profile: Sooke Challenge
Sport Host sells the Island
Sport
Host is selling Vancouver Island as THE cycle tourism destination of the
Pacific Northwest in a special cycling section of the Seattle Post
Intelligencer, read all across Washington State. Thanks to Hugh McDonald of
Sport Host for jumping on this opportunity to support VICTA's efforts to
promote Vancouver Island. For more information on Sport Host: www.tourismvictoria.com/EN/612.asp
British Columbia Magazine features: "The New Victoria"
The
Spring Issue of British Columbia Magazine, just out this week and sold across
the world sports a front cover image of two cyclists enjoying the sunset
colours across the waters of Oak Bay.
The
10 page, full colour feature reads: "Bounded by green hills and blue
ocean, British Columbia's capital has all the makings of a model city: abundant
accessible parklands, smog-free skies, and a vibrant core of neighbourhoods
linked by cycle-friendly urban trails."
Cycling
is heavily profiled alongside other outdoor activities, as key reasons to live
in, and visit, our beautiful region. Our profile is thanks to the efforts of
the Cycle Tourism Advisory Committee (now Vancouver Island Cycle Tourism
Alliance), the fine work of the GVCC, the CRD, and Councillors such as Denise
Savoie (featured in the article!), David Cubberley, and the many others that
helped make this city the Cycling Capital of Canada.
British
Columbia Magazine is on newstands now.
Bike Box Delivery Scheduled
Victoria
transportation staff released design concepts for the city’s first bike box.
The treatment will be applied on Wharf Street at Johnson to accommodate
platoons of cyclists heading across the Johnson Street Blue Bridge to the
Galloping Goose trailhead. Afternoon bicycle traffic often exceeds 300 an hour
over the bridge. Some traffic continues north along Store Street, while queue
jumping cyclists head towards the bridge. The city’s Cycling Advisory Committee
recommended staff develop the concept for review by local cyclists. Slated for
implementation during Bike to Work Week, drawings are on display at the Cycling
Resource Centre (1056A North Park St.) to encourage feedback from the
community. Info is also up on the GVCC Web site at www.gvcc.bc.ca
GVCC Works on Community Ride
The
"Tour de Garden City" community ride is organized yearly by the
Bastion Square Cycling Festival, a race series that has brought Canada's
Olympic athletes home to race on southern Vancouver Island. The last few years
of the festival have included a community ride event for recreational riders.
This year's race program includes Sooke and the Bastion Square Grand Prix. The
Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition (GVCC) is on board to assist in crafting an
event to appeal to recreational riders, touring cyclists and casual visitors to
the city. More info: www.victoriacyclingfestival.com/
Map and Guide:
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.
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
VICTA. Contact jluton@horizon.bc.ca
This issue's
event profile:
Sooke Challenge: A Fun Race
Run
- Kayak - Bike Relay/Triathlon: 10 K Run, 6 naut. mi. Kayak, 30 K Bike
Held
the last Sunday in September in Sooke, at the Sooke Flats: (Sept. 28, 2003)
A
community fundraiser for the Sooke Women's Transition House and the Sooke Sea
Cadets.
More info: Contact: Barb Broster
Web:
www.insooke.com/sookecyclesurf
Phone/Fax:
(250) 642-3123
New on the List?
News
and Views highlights issues and events in cycle tourism around the Georgia
Basin. If this is your introductory issue, visit www.cycletourism.com to see archived
issues. Feel free to pass on this issue to friends and colleagues.
News
and Views are published by 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