Gabriola Transportation Society co-sponsored a well-attended evening presentation (flyer from the event below) about Cycling Tourism on April 2nd at the Golf Course. Presenters were Colleen MacDonald from Letsgobiking.net and the BC Cycling Tourism Vision Team; Heather Piwowar (Trails BC); Robin Jenkinson (Salt Spring Island Pathways) and Rob Fawcett (Pender Island Moving About Pender).
Gabriolans who didn’t get a chance to attend can now watch the doc that was premiered at our event about Pender Island’s new multi-use trail. Of note were the changed attitudes of some early doubters/opponents.
Colleen MacDonald’s presentation highlighted the amazing 1:23 return on investment that has resulted from New Zealand’s early investment in safe cycling tourism infrastructure. One wonders what could be done on Gabriola to ramp up for this rapidly-growing tourism segment and boost local business? And how the infrastructure improvements might improve the lives of all locals at the same time?
One immediate action from the event was that Heather Piwowar provided the RDN with recommendations about basic, inexpensive steps that are needed to make Descanso Bay and other regional parks more suitable for cycling tourists who want to camp. Given Gabriola’s limited accommodations and the goal to prolong people’s stays (and thus have them spending more money here), being cyclist-friendly at our campsites seems a win-win for everyone.
If you want to know more or want to get involved, contact Bruce Batchelor, Gabriola Transportation Society at (250) 380-0998 or email at bruce.batchelor@gmail.com
We are grateful to enjoy living on the unceded territories of the Snuneymuxw people.
