This document discusses promoting bicycle tourism in New York State. It outlines several strategies to facilitate cycle tourism, including promoting point-to-point touring along routes like the Erie Canal and developing destination touring around the nine NY state regions. The advantages of bicycle tourism are noted, such as cyclists spending more money per mile than drivers. Businesses and government can stimulate growth by providing amenities like bike parking, dedicated bike lanes, and making bridges accessible. Examples are given of municipalities transformed by becoming more bike-friendly, attracting business and residents through reduced emissions and traffic. The conclusion is that economic revitalization does not require casinos or malls, and can be achieved through promoting bicycle tourism.

1. Promoting Bicycle Tourism in NY State
presented by

2. Creating consciousness of the
advantages of cycle tourism
• Cycling in the US has mushroomed as a fitness
activity (the ubiquitous pace club rides of bike
clubs) and as a tool of commuting, but has
room to grow as a mode of touring (going on
holiday).
• Facilitating cycle tourism can a big part of the
answer to revitalizing the upstate economy
and bring back distressed downtowns.

3. European Cycle Tourism

4. Downtown was made for the bike
The Interstate and the bypass spawned the mall and the
commercial strip and killed downtown; the bike path can
bring historic downtowns back!!!!!!

5. 1. Promoting Point to Point Touring
• The Erie Canal route
• NYC To Montreal
• NYC to the Long Island Forks
• East Coast Greenway
• FANY RIDE and other RAGBRAI style rides

6. The advantages of promoting point to point
Bicycle touring
• “Wallets on Wheels” by Geffen Semach in
Momentum magazine
• Cyclists spend more per mile than cars – A cyclist
covers 80 miles over 7 hours as opposed to a car
where the occupants only get out to visit and spend,
only when the reach their destination.
• Cyclists…….

7. Eat More

8. They Drink More

9. Stop in More Downtowns
Heading into Myersville Lunch in the Netherlands

10. Cyclists Need More Lodging

11. Stop at more Historic Places

12. They stop at more ducks

13. Defend more countries

14. Utilize More Bike Shops

15. Stop at more Street Fairs and Festivals

16. 2. Destination Touring
• Developing the concept of exploring each of
the 9 NY state regions. Cycle tourists are
looking to explore, participate and experience
activities, thus they will spend more than
sedentary tourists. Cyclists tend to be
outdoors minded thus coordinating with…..

17. Cycle tourism synergy businesses
• Kayak rentals,
• Wineries
• Apple orchards
• Outdoor museums,
• Historical sites,
• Festivals
• Concerts
• Outdoor markets
• Art shows
• Farmers markets
• State parks

18. 3. What businesses and Government
can do to stimulate bicycle tourism
growth
• Bike parking
• Outdoor seating
• Seats by windows
• Rail trails
• Dedicated and/or separated bike lanes
• Valet parking for concerts festivals, street fairs,
farmer’s market
• well lit downtowns

19. Its all about the sticker

20. Bike Parking or Valet

21. All beaches are open and free when you are on a bike. Many
beaches though need bike paths over bridges and causeways
At Cupsogue State Park
Jones Beach bike path, now
extended

22. Dedicated bike lanes with business
access

23. Make all bridges accessible

24. 4. Examples of municipalities that have been
transformed by becoming bike friendly
• Washington State
• Oregon
• Florida
• The Twin Cities
• Memphis
• Chicago
• NYC
• These municipalities
have witnessed how
being Bike Friendly is a
tool to attract business,
an educated
population, reduce
carbon emissions, and
reduce traffic. Even an
oil economy city like
Tulsa has seen the light

25. Washington State

26. The Twin Cities

27. Memphis and Tennessee

28. Florida

29. Conclusion – Casinos and shopping malls are not the
only solutions to economic revitalization.

30. The Stonybrookside

31. Thanks for coming
The original Rail trail, Elroy to Sparta.
Coast to Coast marathon 1976 Its just not the same by car