According to Ontario By Bike, in 2023, 14% of all cycling visits in Ontario took place in Tourism Region 7, compared to 8% of total visits overall. Cyclists are choosing our region at a higher rate than the average visitor.

Across Ontario, domestic visitors participating in cycling activities spent $535 million. Cyclists spend an average of $356 per trip compared to $206 for non-cyclists. They stay longer, averaging 3.5 nights, and 69% of cycling visits are overnight trips. They also allocate 28% of their trip budget to accommodations and 25% to food and beverage.

That translates into longer stays, stronger local spending, and more opportunity for businesses and communities across the region.

Why This Should Be on Your Radar

If you are a municipality, DMO, chamber, BIA, event organizer, or tourism business, cycling tourism connects directly to your work.

BruceGreySimcoe already has the foundation in place:

• Simcoe County Loop Trail
• Georgian Trail
• Clearview Collingwood Train Trail
• Grey County Rail Trail
• Bruce County Rail Trail
• Great Lakes Waterfront Trail
• Apple Pie Trail
• Blue Mountain, Kolapore, Copeland Forest and more

The infrastructure exists. The trails are here. The riders are coming.

The next step is alignment.

How RTO7 Is Supporting the Market

RTO7 is working with Ontario By Bike to support advertising efforts that promote our region to their established network of cyclists. The focus is on our existing trails, gravel routes, mountain biking networks, and multi-day itineraries.

This is not about promoting road cycling across busy corridors. It is about leveraging the assets we already have and growing the market responsibly.

Join Us: Free Cycle Tourism Destination Development Workshop

March 25, 2026
2:00 to 4:00 PM
Collingwood Public Library

This in-person session is designed specifically for tourism stakeholders in Bruce, Grey and Simcoe who want to better understand the opportunity and take practical next steps.

You will learn:

• How to better welcome cyclists to your community or business
• What bicycle-friendly certification means and how it can benefit you
• How to align your marketing with regional routes and trails
• How to turn cycling infrastructure into bookable experiences
• What is ahead for the cycling tourism market

Practical ideas you can implement right away:

• Clearly communicating proximity to trails on your website
• Offering secure bike parking
• Providing water bottle refills and washroom access
• Creating cycling-friendly packages and itineraries
• Using authentic cycling imagery in your marketing

This session is about practical action. Small changes can make a measurable difference.

Who Should Attend

• Municipal economic development and tourism staff
• Destination marketing organizations
• Chambers and BIAs
• Event organizers
• Accommodation providers
• Attractions, restaurants, and retailers near cycling routes
• Trail managers and community groups

Cycling tourism works best when it is collaborative. It also needs to respect residents, protect natural assets, and support local businesses across the economic, social, and environmental pillars of sustainability.

If we want to grow this market in a way that benefits our communities long term, we need to approach it intentionally.

Register Now

Spots are limited.

Register at:
cycletourismworkshopbgs.eventbrite.ca

If you want to better understand how your organization can benefit from cycling tourism and be part of a coordinated regional approach, this workshop is for you.