1. Update on Cycling Initiatives Dec. 5, 2014 Cycling Activities 2014 - Cycling Survey Results Georgian Bay Cycling Route - Grey County Routes Ontario By Bike Update -Louisa Mursell Going Forward - 2015 Cycling Promotions

2. Visitgrey.ca Jan 1 – Dec 4, 2014 2

3. 3

4. Facebook campaign 246,725 impressions with 3041 ad clicks 1612 clicks to On-Road Cycling webpage 179 new likes - Grey County Tourism Facebook page 4

5. YouTube campaign 404,062 impressions with 80,095 video views 3780 viewers clicked through 1602 visiting the On-road Cycling webpage and 2178 visiting the Off-road cycling webpage. 5

6. Grey County Cycle Tourism Business Survey 2014 Prepared by December 2014

7. Cycle Tourism Businesses  Invited 40 businesses, all members of the Ontario by Bike Network in Grey County, to share their experiences with cyclist customers  21 businesses responded (50% response rate) 7

8. Cycle Business Activity 2014 8  All businesses served some cyclists in the 2014 season, although over half (11) indicated it was only “a few cyclists” eg. B&Bs and campgrounds served 2-5 cyclists.  7 businesses had a “regular flow of cyclists” and could count on some cyclists each week.  eg. Café/retail/bakery businesses estimated between 400-1500 cyclists in a season  Attractions like a museum, winery or cidery estimated from 40-250 cyclists  Touring businesses estimated up to 400 cyclists in 2014 Business Type # of Cyclists Bike shops1000-1500 Touring companiesUp to 400 Café/retail/bakeries400-1500 Winery/cidery/brewery40-200 Attractions250 B&Bs/campground2-5 Hotel50

9. Cycle Business Trends 2013-2014 9  Almost all businesses, felt cycle-related business had stayed the same or increased in the past year. One bike shop had a decrease.  Touring companies and attractions reported increased cycle business over last year.  For 8 accommodations, a total of 110 cyclist nights were recorded (# of cyclists X # of nights). Business Type Cycle Trend 2013-14* Bike shops (2)    Touring companies (2)  Café/retail/bakery (3)   Winery/cidery/brewery (3)  Attraction (1)  B&B/campgrounds (5)   Hotel na

10. Cycling Tourists in 2014 Cyclists Types # of Businesses Beginner11 Recreational Road17 Serious/competitive Road 10 Recreational Mtn7 Serious Mtn3 10 67% of businesses reported serving cycling tourists (i.e. permanent residence >40 km away). Most businesses served recreational road (17) and serious/ competitive road cyclists(10). 11 businesses served some beginner cyclists.

11. Cyclists’ Experiences in Grey County 11 When asked about the cycling experiences of their customers, businesses felt cyclists were coming to: Ride the rail trails Tour from attraction to attraction Participate in cycling events & training Cycle & stay packages are still new and evolving.

12. Marketing by Businesses 12 Online marketing (web, ads and social media) and promotion with bike shops and clubs were most popular marketing tools of businesses.

13. Suggestions From Businesses To Build A Stronger Cycle Tourism Destination Promotion & Advertising  Continued promotion  Outreach to cycling groups/clubs & shops  Increase social media efforts  Emphasize accommodation for cycle & stay packages  Market internationally Education  Continue cycling awareness  Continue Share the Road expectations among drivers and cyclists Programming  Develop guided cycling experiences  Cultivate GC Cycling Tour Ambassadors Infrastructure  Link routes with existing route and across borders in BGS, Bigger Impression!  Add more road & trail signage  Trail development between Meaford & Owen Sound  More trails & routes in Grey Highlands  Have cycling event every weekend and on some weekdays 13

14. Cycle Tourism Tracking in Grey County  All businesses (one wanted more information) who replied were willing to participate in tracking next year. 14

15. Until next year! Robert Wong Partner robert@rmcg.ca

16. GEORGIAN BAY CYCLING ROUTE FEASIBILITY STUDY Implementation Plan Transportation Options Association of Ontario & The Resource Management Consulting Group April 2014

17. Georgian Bay Cycling Route Feasibility Study Implementation Plan Presentation April 2014 17 Implementation Ready Route Core Routes A + B = 800 km A A A B B A Route Pending Parry Sound to Sudbury 200 km Proposed Georgian Bay Cycling Route 315 km of 800 km implementation ready route in BGS

18. Stakeholders embrace GBCyR vision 57 letters of support 800 of the 1,000 km implementation ready Georgian Bay Cycling Route Feasibility Study Implementation Plan Presentation April 2014 18 GBCyR Vision The Georgian Bay Cycling Route (GBCyR) will be a 1,000 kilometer long, signed Signature Cycling Route around Georgian Bay that connects communities around the Bay to develop the region's cycling tourism potential.

19. GBCyR Representation in RTO7 CountiesDistances (km)Lower Tier Municipalities Simcoe1268, no county roads Grey1204 (including Georgian Bluffs for Grey Rd 1) Bruce892 315 km of 850 km Implementation Ready Route Georgian Bay Cycling Route Feasibility Study Implementation Plan Presentation April 2014 19 Implementation Steps

20. Implementation Plan Georgian Bay Cycling Route Feasibility Study Benefit and Cost Assessment Presentation February 2014 20 Phase 1 Transition Phase 2 Preparing for Implementation Phase 3 Implementation Implementation Plan

21. 21

22. 22

23. Discussion in Meeting – Dec 5 Promotion & Advertising  Work on more collaboration, leveraging each other’s efforts, chamber of commerce  Outreach to cycling groups/clubs & shops – pick the right ones, tour directors, OBB is working on a listing to provide to members  Increase social media efforts, involve businesses and buyable experiences  “Flexible” packages or itineraries,  Awareness of what we have to offer: terrain, scenery, provide the details  Tell our story  Generic mapping showing touring for cycle, motorcycle, etc. with routes, attractions, etc…  Grey County is working with BC Hughes and will look at cycling marketing campaign Education  Continue cycling awareness  Continue Share the Road expectations among drivers and cyclists Programming  Cultivate GC Cycling Tour Ambassadors – eg. Series of weekly videos, mtn biking go-pros, Infrastructure  Link routes with existing route and across borders in BGS  Georgian Bay Cycling Route  Engage municipal road staff  County roads – paved shoulders – policy?  Grey County Rail Trail  More trails & routes in Grey Highlands  Cycling Events – potential Trillium project?  Signage  Infrastructure 23