October 26, 2007 (Toronto, ON) – The Toronto-Niagara Bike Train Initiative was developed in response to the growing demand and opportunity for improved transportation for cyclists between Toronto and the Niagara Region. The initiative addressed a key need identified in the Niagara Region Tourism Strategy. In order to increase visitation to key Niagara tourist areas, one of the four pillars of success identified in that report was Destination Development and the need “to enhance all modes of transportation to support accessibility for visitors.”

The Pilot Year of the Toronto-Niagara Bike Train Initiative has been a resounding success. The service officially launched with two media events on Tuesday, June 5, 2007, and operated over four weekends during the summer, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from Bike Train passengers, VIA Rail employees, Niagara tourism industry representatives and the general public. In total, there were 286 passengers who travelled on the Bike Train with a notable diversity of age, abilities, partners and group affiliations. There was an average of 90% capacity on Saturday departures from Toronto; two out of the four were at 100% capacity.

To facilitate the Bike Train service, several project components had to be addressed and coordinated:

– A baggage car with 56 bike racks installed onboard was added to select VIA Rail departures between Toronto and Niagara Falls.
– The return trip price was set at $59 including tax and bike transport fees.
– A reservations system and “third party” ticketing process was coordinated by the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce using a 1-888 toll free phone number and online booking service.
– VIA train ticket sales totaled $13,160 including $2,395 in bike transport fees.
– Bike Train staff and volunteers facilitated passenger check-in, onboard service and loading and unloading bikes at Niagara Falls station.
– Upon each Bike Train arrival at Niagara Falls station, local “cycling expert” volunteers were available to provide passengers with cycle tourism information and route suggestions.

Creative means were used to promote the Toronto-Niagara Bike Train with a limited budget including co-promotional campaigns, media launch events held in both Toronto and Niagara, a customized Bike Train Guide to Exploring Niagara, event and conference attendance, passenger “Ambassadors” and social networking sites.

The media launch generated at least 20 tracked media hits with a reach of over 3 million people, while the project website www.biketrain.ca received over 20,000 unique visitors from around the world in just six months. The initiative was also nominated and won the “I Bike T.O. First Annual Award” at a community bicycling event recently held in Toronto.

The Bike Train Pilot Year Evaluation Questionnaire was distributed to passengers on their return train trip from Niagara Falls to Toronto.

The results indicated:

– 71% had never, or very rarely travelled (less than once a year) to the Niagara Region to cycle
– 89% travelled with family and/or friends
– 72% stayed overnight
– 57% were between 30 and 50
– 55% indicated an annual household income of over $75,000

The Bike Train attracted new cycle tourists to the Niagara Region. Over half of the survey respondents had never before travelled to Niagara to cycle, and 94% indicated they were very likely or definitely going to take the Bike Train in the future.

Positive participation and feedback from Bike Train passengers has shown significant market potential for increased cycle tourism and overnight stays in the Niagara region. More broadly speaking, the Bike Train initiative has demonstrated an opportunity to grow environmentally sustainable, green tourism options throughout Ontario.

The success of the Bike Train is also due in part to the Niagara Region’s well-developed cycling infrastructure (i.e. large network of bike paths, detailed regional bike map, established bike events and festivals, good trail signage, widespread bike parking facilities, etc), as well as the region’s relatively compact geographic area, diverse natural landscapes, mild climate and many tourist areas and attractions.

As a result, it is recommended that funding and support for the Bike Train Initiative be continued and the project be expanded in 2008 to build upon the momentum developed during the Pilot Year.

Overall recommendations are to:

1. Expand Bike Train service between Toronto and Niagara, and other destinations in Ontario.
2. Maintain the Bike Train as a convenient, affordable and integrated transportation service.
3. Promote the Niagara Region and Toronto as leading cycle tourism estinations.

These overall recommendations include several initiatives and improvements to better integrate the Bike Train into tourism packages and to coordinate with existing and future bicycle promotion and infrastructure development.

By implementing these recommendations, the Bike Train Initiative will continue to provide an innovative and invaluable contribution toward a vibrant and sustainable cycle tourism industry in Ontario.

More news on plans for 2008 will be released at a later date – for information visit www.biketrain.ca