Bicyclists riding the paths of the Erie Canalway in New York this summer shouldn't be surprised if some communities all but roll out the red carpet when they arrive.
The towns would be following suggestions in a 28-page booklet that explains why it makes economic sense to encourage and embrace two-wheeled visitors in their communities.
Entitled “Bicyclists Bring Business: A Guide for Attracting Bicyclists to New York's Canal Communities,” the book is used in roundtable workshops offered by Parks & Trails New York and the New York State Canal Corporation in canal towns.
Although we might like communities to cater to traveling bicyclists for altruistic reasons, it's a matter of dollars and cents to business people. According to the booklet:
“When a particular bicycling destination is so appealing to bicyclists that they come from some distance away to enjoy it, the dollars they bring with them can be significant.”
Erie Canalway
The authors believe the old canal is such a destination. The Erie Canalway Trail comprises six different off-road trails between Buffalo and Albany; about 270 miles of the total 360-mile off-road trail is complete; more construction is planned.
Sections include the Erie Canal Heritage Trail (the longest at 114 miles), Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway (86 miles) and the Old Erie Canal State Park Trail (36 miles).
Good relationship
Their research shows that the canalway is a good fit for many bicycle tourists because of its flat terrain and absence of motor vehicles. Its length allows four- to seven-day trips, and there are accommodations for lodging and camping along the way.
Bicyclists are an “attractive audience” because they usually have college degrees and higher family incomes, they spend money and they like to stop and enjoy communities along their rides. Further, they're “low-impact” visitors who don't add to traffic, noise or air pollution caused by motor vehicles.
Based on their research, the authors estimate that bicyclists on multi-day vacations usually spend between $100 and $300 a day on food, lodging, entertainment and equipment; credit card cyclists often spend near the upper level.
Attracting bicyclists
The book offers a lot of suggestions on how to make our visits more pleasureable so we'll stay longer, make a return visit or tell others about our experiences. Just of few of the ideas:
A rack of maps and brochures at the canal entrance to town with information for lodging, eating and sight-seeing and bike shop locations;
Restaurants with health-conscious menu items, bicyclist breakfast specials, and signs that bicycling attire is welcome;
Retailers can offer shipping so bicyclists can easily send purchases home;
All businesses can offer computer or wi-fi access to bicyclists, or a place to recharge cellphones or other electronic equipment;
Hotels or motels provide outdoor workspace for cleaning bikes, laundry facilities, accept resupply packages mailed ahead, and indoor parking space for bicycles.
Earning business
Although the booklet is written with the Erie Canalway in mind, it would be useful to any community that's making the intelligent and useful decision to become more friendly to bicycle travelers. Towns and businesses along the Great Allegheny Passage, where bicyclists pump about $40 million a year into local Pennsylvania economies, already have learned these lessons.
As the book says, it's more than a matter of “build it and they will come.” Towns and businesses will have to earn the bicycle travelers trust.
You can download the booklet for free from Parks & Trails New York.
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