News and Views from the Vancouver Island Cycle Tourism Alliance
March 1, 2003
  1. Goose Gets Gas Pains
  2. Vermont Does Research
  3. Quebec Finds Gold
  4. North Island Hosts Snow Bikers
 
Galloping Goose Closures:
The Galloping Goose Trail is facing a series of temporary closures to facilitate construction of a Centra Gas pipeline from Langford to Sooke. Capital Regional District Parks staff are closely monitoring work to protect the integrity of the trail. Between March 24th - April 11th and the trail will be closed between Rocky Point and Lombard roads in Metchosin.

Centra is paying in excess of $400,000 to lease subsurface rights. A bridge over Colwood Creek west of Jacklin road near the Colwood/Langford border is one project Parks will take on with the proceeds.

As much as $200,000 still could be allocated to bridge other gaps. As a gateway facility to the Trans Canada trail link to Shawnigan Lake and the Cowichan Valley, fixing gaps on the Goose is critical to support regional cycle tourism. Metchosin, Sooke and the Circle Route through Port Renfrew require access through Greater Victoria’s west shore suburbs. The trail needs an overpass by Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in Colwood, a better crossing at the new Millstream/Kelly Road intersection at Langford and will need to plan for a new bridge where Colwood plans to link Nob Hill with Wale Road to connect with Goldstream Ave.

For further information, please visit CRD Parks web site at www.crd.bc.ca/parks or call the CRD Parks
Info Line at: 474-PARK. To map your detour around trail closures, pick up a Davenport "Victoria Cycling and Walking Map" On-road facilities for cyclists have been identified and rated by the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition.

Cycle Tourism Research:
Vermont, a major cycling tourism destination, reports that outdoor recreation visitors are more apt to stay longer and visit more often. Return visit intentions were much higher and spending per visitor was a third higher than other visitors according to a study done for the University of Vermont. For details on the study go to: www.uvm.edu/~snrvtdc/publications/Outdoor_Recreation_Report.pdf
 
Quebec Taps Into Winning Formula:
Velo Quebec has Canadian info on cycling tourism benefits: Among their findings:
  • The average bicycle tourist spend $100/day versus conventional travel tourists at $52/day.
  • Bicycle tourists average of 6.5 nights away from home compared to conventional travel tourists at 3.1 nights.
  • Bicycle tourist travel extends their "tourism season" from May to September.
  • For information on the Velo Quebec analysis, go to: www.velo.qc.ca/bulletins/RV-bulletin8-2_e.pdf.
American drivers on our side:
An American Automobile Association (AAA) survey of its members found that they would put up 7% of highway user fees for bicycle and pedestrian projects. If investments were allocated on this basis, it would represent a huge boost for cycling and walking infrastructure in the U.S. Find the survey numbers at: http://www.ouraaa.com/traveler/index_mid.html
 
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:
Mount Washington Slides from Skiing into Mountain Bikes
A charity bike race will hit the slopes March 29th and 30th. Dual slalom bike races will be held on the fast melting snow at the Northern Vancouver Island Ski Hill. Nestled against Strathcona Provincial Park, the oldest protected area in the province, Mount Washington is a summer mountain biking destination giving Whistler a run for its money.
The "Big Stupid Bike Race" is sponsored by Vancouver Island Breweries and a smorgasboard of other island businesses. For more information on the race visit:
http://www.mountwashington.ca/winter03/news/events.cfm?eventID=196
 
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 
 
For more information on the Vancouver Island Cycle Tourism Alliance, visit:  www.cyclevancouverisland.ca
 
Other info from this issue:
Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition:  www.gvcc.bc.ca
Davenpot Maps:  www.davenportmaps.com