Perth County Tourism, Destination Stratford, and the Town of St. Marys have collaborated to establish the county as a premier cycle-friendly destination by creating a new and improved 'Cycle Route Map'.
Recognizing the importance of the cycle-tourism industry, the three organizations worked together to develop, enhance, and promote cycle tourism assets.
The map features city, rural, and gravel routes, and also showcases over 13 ‘signature routes.’
Ashley Lansink, tourism officer, County of Perth, and Kelly Deeks-Johnson, tourism and economic development manager, Town of St. Marys, told StratfordToday about why the map is so important for the region.
“Perth County, Stratford and St. Marys got together a couple of years ago coming out of the pandemic,” Lansink explained. “We saw the growth in southwestern Ontario and in our area and saw it as an opportunity.”
Deeks-Johnson concurred, saying that Lansink, Zac Gribble of Destination Stratford, and herself frequently met to discuss how to create a self-directed outdoor experience that would lend itself to social distancing at the time.
Additionally, the Province of Ontario was also helpful in promoting local travel, causing tourists to explore their backyard, or to be a ‘tourist in your own town,’ as Deeks-Johnson put it.
Even as restrictions are lifting and the pandemic is easing, they believe the idea of ‘being a tourist in your own town’ will continue well into the future.
“If there’s a silver-lining,” Deeks-Johnson said about the pandemic. “I think it was really beneficial to people who’ve been in this region or even in the province to start really realizing the assets that they have around them.”
The response from cyclists to an earlier cycling map produced by the county was promising and after an endeavour from the County to produce a cycle tourism strategy, they began to update the map.
“We've worked with our consultants, some local cyclist experts, to find really the best routes possible,” Lansink said. “We wanted it to be a good asset for cyclists, but something not too intimidating that people new to the sport would also want to pick it up.”
The routes feature information on cycle safety, local trails, and notable stops along the routes. The routes range from a 7km ‘Avon River Rover’ route to a 230km ‘Perth County Adventure & Gravel Circuit,’ envisioned as a multi-day ride.
Lansink noted that they have routes for everyone, though cyclists need to know what awaits them on these routes. Many routes are on public roads and have portions that are gravel, requiring precautions.
To be a tourist in your own town
Listed in the legend of the map are mentions of local restaurants, accommodations, and small town shops. No specifics are listed, though Lansink and Deeks-Johnson say that is something they wish to expand.
“We’ll be building out itineraries,” Lansink confirmed. “If people choose to select one of the signature routes they’ll be able to click and see what stops are along the way, tourism related, that they might want to stop on … we just want cyclists to be aware if they're going to be using our signature routes, you're going by all these incredible things. Feel free to plan your trip around it and maybe extend your stay.”
One of the suggestions that came through consultation wasn’t specifically about the routes, but about the supports around the map. Places to lock up bicycles are available across the county, though consultants pointed out that many ride on very expensive bikes. Not many are willing to lock them up and travel too far to eat at a restaurant or shop.
Following that point, Lansink and the team have been working on getting more bicycle parking scattered around St. Marys, Stratford, and other destinations, as well installing additional infrastructure like water bottle refilling and bike wash stations.
Hard-copies of the map can be found at several locations across Perth County, including any municipal offices, Destination Stratford at 47 Downie St, Stratford, and St. Marys Town Hall at 175 Queen St. S, St. Marys.
It can be found online here and can be linked to a phone’s GPS mapping app to be used while cyclists are on the road.
