CRC - Cycle Tourism

Cycle Tourism is a growing niche market with considerable opportunities for regional economies. It has a number of key segments:

Cycling Holidays: touring cycling is the main purpose of the holiday
Holiday Cycling: recreational cycling is undertaken as an activity whilst on holiday
Cycling Day Visits: Trips from home to places outside a person’s usual place of residence
Cycling Events: this may involve
- direct participation, e.g. cycling festivals such as the Dungog PedalFest
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- mass participation events such as BikeSA’s Dirty Weekend – for mountain bikers
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- predominantly spectator participation events, e.g. cycling sporting events such as the Tour Down Under
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Cycle tourism has multiple benefits including:

boosting domestic and inbound tourism;
providing ecological sustainable tourism;
encouraging the economic revitalisation of regional Australia;
enhancing the infrastructure of local communities and its potential to encourage healthy activities.

Some studies on the economic benefit of cycle tourism are listed under Research. Some useful Cycle Tourism resources include the following:

Australia:

Cycle Tourism Australia - tool kit (available soon)

This organisation has been set up as a national not-for-profit organisation committed to the development of an integrated, co-ordinated approach to cycle tourism planning, development and promotion. Their website includes a range of resources, research and tools on cycle tourism in Australia.
Sustainable Regional Tourism Destination Project
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- Progress Report - October 2006(pdf)
- Project background
- Target destinations
- Researcher profiles
Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities - Cycle Tourism Research Project: The Research Tool Kit for the Cycle Tourism Resource Kit for Regional Communities
Chief Investigators:Professor John Martin, Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities, La Trobe University and Associate Professor Sue Beeton, La Trobe University
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CTA is aiming to provide regional communities involved with the development and maintenance of cycle trails with four Cycle Tourism Resource Kits. The fourth kit is an online research tool kit that will enable these communities 'to measure, get feedback and enhance the future of cycle tourism'. Professor Martin and Associate Professor Beeton are responsible for researching and developing Tool Kit 4: The Research Tool Kit.
Tourism Australia
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Cycle Tourism is a growing market within the tourism sector and within nature-based tourism in particular – albeit coming off a small base. There is increasing evidence available which demonstrates cycle tourism has the potential to make an active contribution towards the economic revitalisation of regional Australia as well as improve quality of life for its residents (Bicycle Federation of Australia). The niche is an ecologically sustainable tourism product, which is expected to grow in popularity.
Bicycle Federation of Australia
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The Bicycle Federation of Australia (BFA) is the national peak body representing people who ride bicycles for recreation, transport, tourism, health & fitness and fun. It aims to improve the environment for cycling and encourage more Australians to ride more often.
It has a useful bibliography on cycle tourism, Report and Submissions about Cycle Tourism.
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Railtrails Australia
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Railtrails Australia is a national organisation which promotes the preservation of old rail corridors for alternative public uses such as cycling, horse riding and bush walking. They liaise with other groups to promote the rail trail concept and publish a quarterly newsletter, books, brochures and maps.
A particularly relevant resource from Railtrails Australia include is:
Rail Trail Establishment Guidelines
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Railtrails Australia has developed an excellent manual on CD-ROM outlining the steps to get a rail trail established. It includes an extensive array of documents in the appendix that would be of assistance to those thinking of establishing a rail trail or maintaining an open rail trail
South Australian Tourism Commission, 2005, South Australian Cycle Tourism Strategy 2005-2009, Adelaide
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Developed in consultation with a number of stakeholders, this strategy outlines how SA can leverage economic benefit from cycle tourism as a high value niche market.

Case studies:

Some case studies of good cycle tourism initiatives are listed below:

The Central Coast Cycling Guide
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This website has been developed to encourage local and visiting bike riders to enjoy the outdoors and explore the picturesque Central Coast. Here you'll find details of a variety of local rides, each graded with a level of difficulty and experience required to negotiate the proposed routes. There are rides suitable for everyone - from individuals to families to professional riders.
Clarence Coast Walks Network
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Regional Partnership funding for this project will enable the creation of two scenic walking and cycling trails along the foreshore of the Clarence River. Grant details can be found through the Regional Partnerships search facility for approved grants.
Adelaide Free City Bike Program
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The free city bike program provides 2 hours free bicycle hire in Adelaide's CBD. Run by Adelaide City Council and Bicycle South Australia.
A Rail Trail & future economic/tourism development
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In Victoria’s northeast, around 94 kms of cycle path runs from Wangaratta to the delightful towns of Beechworth and Bright, the ‘Murray to Mountains Rail Trail’. A recent study has found that the way in which cycle tourism advocates go about presenting tourism-related opportunities to small businesses - such as bike hire, cafes, restaurants, winery tours and accommodation houses - can help in the economic development process.

International:

Managing leisure and tourism
- Doris Kammerer, Christian Steiner (2009) "Evaluacion y expansion del exitoso e innovada proyecto de movilidad en Tennengau", European Platform on Mobility Management Conference in Donostia-San Sebastián
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- Rita Leimer (2009) "Mobility Management for recreational and tourist transport", European Platform on Mobility Management Conference in Donostia-San Sebastián
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Velo.Info - Cycling and Leisure and Tourism
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This briefing looks at the role and potential of cycling leisure and tourism. View PDF
Tourabout - About Bicycle Touring
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Tourabout is your FREE holiday planning resource. We catalogue thousands of tours from over 50 of the world's best tour operators. We have a range of tours from classic European coach tours to Adventure tours, Family Adventures, River Cruises, Rail Journeys, Garden tours, Wildlife and Safari travel, walking tours, self drive and independent tours.
IBIKE Cultural tours
Philosophy - Visit Site
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Ibike offer small group (12 people max.) exploration of fascinating cultures, ethnic diversity, and the natural and social complexity of the world. To enhance our contact with the areas we visit, the primary mode of travel is bicycle. Thus we have a ground level view culture, historic sites, museums, architecture, religion, ecological niches, and the realities of daily life. We meet with unique local people and enjoy bicycling beautiful back roads. The programs are designed to be environmentally friendly, economically beneficial, educational, enriching and culturally sensitive, and accessible to ordinary active people who seek moderate adventure.
Adventure Cycling Association - US bicycle tourism
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Adventure Cycling Association’s nonprofit mission is to inspire people of all ages to travel by bicycle for fitness, fun, and self-discovery. Founded in 1973 as Bikecentennial, Adventure Cycling is the premier bicycle travel organization in North America with 44,500 members nationwide.
Info Hub Specialty Travel - Bicycling Vacations and Biking Tours
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When was the last time you took your bicycle out for a ride in the park, or a challenge of endurance along snaky mountain paths? Can’t remember? Well, then, perhaps, it’s time to prove “her” you can still do it!
Cycle Canada
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Cycle Canada is an innovator in developing unique cycling routes and supported cycling tours throughout Canada.
Trento Bike Pages
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The Trento Bike Pages collect bicycle tour reports, mainly for road bikes, but also mountain bikes, as well as general bicycle touring and travel information, and bicycle club and organization listings. If you plan a bicycle tour, you'll find plenty of tour reports of people who have been there before. The Trento Bike pages got started in 1995 by Andreas Caranti, and have grown from a mailing list for the Italian Trento area to cover all of Europe, and now also Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Australia.
Doherty, S., 1998, Rail-trails and community sentiment: A study of opposition to rails-trails and strategies for success, Rails to Trails Conservancy, USA
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This study documents minority opposition to rail trails and how this opposition is best dealt with.
Fraietta, J. (2004) Cycle Tourism Research Summary, Tourism Research Analyst
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The information in this report was compiled to profile the cycle tourism market, review the current literature on the subject, and increase tourism operators’ awareness of cycle tourism as an emerging market opportunity in Alberta.
Co, S.A. (2000), Integrating the Bicycle into the Yosemite Valley Transportation Network. Institute of Transport Studies, University of California, Davis, Research Report UCD-ITS-RR-00-18.
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Cycling in Yosemite Valley is evaluated as a viable transportation mode within the context of the alternatives described in the 2000 Draft Yosemite Valley Plan/Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Free from the obstacles that urban areas face in promoting the bicycle as transportation, Yosemite Valley offers a unique place to promote bicycle use. Traffic congestion occurs during the summer months peak season. During this time, the bicycle represents the quickest, most convenient way for many people to experience the Valley on the park roads and the dedicated Bikeway network portion of the Valley. Distances to locations in the seven mile by one mile Valley are short, allowing short travel times to destinations.
7Stanes is a Scottish Forestry Commission recreation and tourism project Visit Site

The 7stanes are seven mountain biking centres spanning the south of Scotland, from the heart of the Scottish Borders to Dumfries and Galloway. 'Stane' is the Scots word for stone, and at each of the 7stanes locations, you'll find a stone sculpture reflecting a local myth or legend.
The stanes are found out on the trails in the forests, in prominent locations near cycling and walking paths. They’re accessible on foot or by horse as well as by bike, and range in size from one to three metres high and from two to six tons in weight.
Find out more about the STANES themselves Visit Site

Examples of Australian Cycle Tourism:

Pedal to Produce - Vistorian regional cycle tourism website
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Pick an area within the region and it will give you the rides: distance, ride surface, description e.g. flat, ride grade e.g. beginner and ride time, with a list of products and producers to visit along the way.
David Scott, (2008) "Going green on bike tour", 4 October 2008, The Sydney Morning Herald - Travel section
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You leave the lightest ecological wheelmark when you are pedalling on the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail. Much of the earth beneath your tyres was packed in the late 1800s so trains could link the gold-riddled towns of north-east Victoria.

The railway line was decommissioned two generations ago but is now whirring with life as cyclists take their mechanical steeds along the path of the iron horse.

Up to 45,000 riders take to the trail each year, with 8000 choosing the Easter weekend, says Clayton Neil, a cycle tourism officer for the three municipalities that administer the rail trail.
Victoria’s 100 km East Gippsland Rail Trail to open 5 years ‘ahead of schedule’
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In September 2004 Victoria’s East Gippsland Rail Trail received a $660,000 Regional Partnerships grant to extend the trail 28 kms east from Nowa Nowa to Orbost on the Snowy River. The 100 km long trail will open on Saturday 28 January 2006, five years ahead of the initial estimate, with a community barbecue - ribbon cutting event.

Examples of International Cycle Tourism:

DAVID JOHNSTON, (2009) "Quebec’s Valleyfield a cycling haven for enthusiasts", 26 May 2009, Amherst Daily News (Canada)
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This year’s season begins with a new tour between Ottawa and Montreal. The tour leaves Ottawa Saturday and ends up in the Old Port of Montreal the following weekend. Another new tour, back and forth between Montreal and Kingston, is also planned for this year.

The way it works is this: The barge follows the cyclists by day, and the cyclists sleep on it at night. Every morning and night, meals are served in the dining room. Each room has two single beds, a toilet and a shower. After breakfast, cyclists set out with a tour leader to do a good 35 to 75 kilometres of cycling.
Ralph Jennings, 19 May 2009, Taiwan pedals ahead with bike tours to lure visitors, Reuters - Life!
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TAIPEI, May 19 (Reuters Life!) - Taiwan is rolling out Asia's first comprehensive bicycle tourism plan, including rentals, special railway cars and guides for rides down the rugged coastline or up the island's steep central mountains.
Hal Amen, 30 April 2009, MatadorTrips - "The World’s 15 Most Bike Friendly Cities"
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Grab a helmet and check out these 15 pedal heavens, where drivers have actually been known to use all five fingers when they wave at you.
Reuters, (2009) "'Death strip' becomes cycling trail", 17 April 2009, The Age
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Twenty years after the fall of the Iron Curtain, a project to convert the former "death strip" into a cycling path is picking up speed.

The new cycle trail, which will run 7000 km from the Barents Sea in the north to the Black Sea in the south, is aimed at promoting eco-tourism along the former militarized zone and tapping into booming interest in cycling holidays.