March 31, 2003 (Montréal, Quebec) – Cyclists spend over $95 million CAD ($64.6 million USD) annually along the Route verte Vélo Québec reveals the results of a study conducted by the UQAM Chair of Tourism.
The UQAM Chair of Tourism has conducted a major new study on the economic impact of the Route verte on behalf of Vélo Québec.
In 2000, the annual amount spent by cyclists travelling on the Route verte totalled $95.4 million CAD ($64.6 million USD). This represents 2,000 jobs (person years) and revenues of $15.1 million for the Government of Québec ($10.2 million USD) and $11.9 million ($8.1 million USD) for the Government of Canada.
Jean-François Pronovost, Executive Director of Vélo Québec, is pleased to release this new economic data: “These figures confirm that the Route verte is having an even more positive impact on tourism than we had anticipated,” he says. “Our previous studies on the economic impact of the Route verte, conducted in 1997, estimated that annual spending by users of the bikeway network would total $41 million ($28 million USD) as of its inauguration in 2005. So cyclists are currently spending almost twice as much as was predicted,” adds Pronovost. This study was initially presented at a meeting of various Route verte partners, including government representatives, members of the cycling and tourism industries as well as bicycle retailers.
The Route verte, which will eventually comprise 4,300 kilometres (2671 miles), is currently over 75% complete in 10 of the 16 regions through which it passes.
Official guide to the Route verte Vélo Québec also announced the publication of the third edition of Take a Ride on the Green Side: Official guide to bicycling on Québec's Route verte. A very useful tool for planning cycling vacations, this enhanced edition now includes information on tourist associations, trail managers, bicycle retailers as well as various kinds of accommodations near the Route verte. This guide is available for $19.95 ($13.5 USD) at bookstores and bicycle retailers.
The Route verte is an original idea of Vélo Québec, realized in collaboration with the Government of Québec and regional partners.