Bike Routes Launch in 2015

Saturday, 8 November 2014 09:21

Oxford Cycling Committee has teamed up with Transportation Options to make Oxford County a cycling destination.

OXFORD COUNTY - Great roads and quiet traffic are just some of the assets Oxford County has that appeal to cyclists.

Oxford County Cycling Committee is working hard to develop a series of cycling routes in hopes of making us a prime cycling destination.

Tourism Specialist Meredith Maywood says they worked closely with the award winning non-profit organization 'Transportation Options'.

"They are known for the website 'Ontario By Bike' and what they do is they promote cycling and cycling tourism throughout the province. Ontario By Bike came down to Oxford County, they met with members of the Cycling Committee and reviewed the trails master plan and other cycling information for the area and they developed 11 cycling routes that would appeal to cyclists coming to the area."

"They vary in length from something that would appeal to someone who is very recreational so from 15-30km to people who are looking for a more challenging ride up in the area of 100km or more," says Maywood. " The routes have just been developed and we are actually just in the process of getting ready to launch the routes for 2015."

Oxford County businesses are being encouraged to have cycling amenities available which could earn them 'bike friendly certification'.

Ten local businesses have received the Ontario by Bike designation which Maywood says varies based on the type of business it is.

"For a restaurant having healthy food options, bike locks available and water bottle refill and then obviously information on cycling available. To accomodations they would want to have overnight lock up available so whether it's in the person's hotel room or another location on site and also a bicycle repair kit would be required for those groups."

Once the routes are launched, Maywood says a pocket-sized cycling map, downloadable route sheets and videos promoting cycling in the County will become available.