Bicycle Touring Route WA - FAQ

Who is behind setting up the BTR?

We are, with a lot of help from some volunteers! We are not setting up a trail, but are collecting information to be incorporated free on this web site to use as a bicycle touring route. We are cyclists trying to make this information available to other cyclists for free.

What do you stand gain from setting this up?

The pleasure of being able to go out and ride this route, and map it at the same time if we have to, and then to pass the information on to other cyclists.

Why can't I see trail markers on the BTR?

That's because there are no markers. The information is provided free from this website, with suggestions for you to make your own trail. Unless we were a large committee, and having lots of meetings, we may qualify for funding to then mark the route after applying for permission. We would rather be riding than dealing with this.

Can I add information and other routes to the trail?

Yes. Any information you add, will be credited to you. This will help other cyclists have an enjoyable holiday. You may also adopt an area if you live in the area or have detailed riding knowledge of the area. You can do this my registering to become a member of the BicycleWA web site and asking one of the Admins for permission to be able to write articles for the BTR.

I am a business, can I get my information into the BTR?

Yes if you are providing a tourism or cycling related service.

Why did you choose this particular route?

It is the one that most cycle tourists are taking by road at present.

Is the BTR Guide available as maps and printed brochures.

No. That would cost us lots of money, which we don't have. The guide on this web site will allow you to make your own trail, or follow our suggestions.

Why do we even need a route for cyclists?

Cyclists need quiet, scenic roads and trails to enjoy.

What is the point of all this and why do we need cycle tourists anyway?

Only read the rest if you are not a cyclist, and believe that cycle touring doesn't happen. We have done some research, which is presented below. The sources for some of the information is presented at the end. As the start of this paragraph warns, if you already believe in cycle touring, then don't read any further.

Cycle Tourism is predicted to be worth over 40 billion pounds (A$ 93 billion) per year across Europe within 15 years. Considering this fact, the size of Western Australia, its climate, and tourist's desire for adventure tours, this is largely an unpromoted market at present.

Cycle Tourism - Some Facts

INTERNATIONALLY

• In Germany in 2003, over 2.2 million residents participated in cycle holidays, which is an increase of 12.5% from 2002. Australia is a popular destination for Germans;
• In 2002, 5.1 million visitor nights were recorded by German visitors;
• In Maine in the USA, cycle tourism delivers 1200 full time jobs;
• Germany's Bodensee Cycle Way is one of the most popular cycle ways in Europe, with an estimated 380,000 cyclists using the trail every year. It contributes an estimated 75 million Euro (A$120 million);
• In New Zealand, Tourism has overtaken the dairy industry as the country's biggest export, largely due to its adventure tourism market;
• The Swiss National Cycle way contributed an estimated annual spending of 100 million Swiss Francs (A$100 million) in 1999;
• Europe made use of over 200 million bicycles in 1996, a number that has increased bt 11% every year since.
• Evidence from Britain indicates that cycle tourism provides A$1.4 billion to its economy per year; and
• In the year 2000, along Canada's Route verte cyclists spent a total of $95.4 million;

LOCALLY

• Cycle related tourism injected over 13.2 million dollars into the South Australian economy in 2006 through one single event, the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under;
• In Australia, organised cycling events are attracting more and more people every year. Annual supported 'big rides' run by state cycling organisations in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria each attract between 800 and 8000 people and together inject many millions into the economy;
• The Tourism White Paper notes that regional tourism accounts for around 185,000 jobs or 6.8% of rural and regional employment, compared to around 6% of overall national employment;
• Last year, over a million new bicycles were sold in Australia, in a trend that continues to grow. This is a higher rate of sales than that of motor vehicles. Countries such as Canada and the UK are experiencing similar trends; and
• Currently, Tourism in Australia constitutes 4.7 % of Gross Domestic Product and employs over 550,000 Australians. 90% of this business is done through small to medium size businesses, and 40% are located in Rural and regional centres.

Cycle Tourism in Western Australia - Some Facts

The Main Roads Lifecycle Great WA Bike Ride saw more than 2600 riders and 250 volunteers cycle through the South West from Albany to Perth from 19 March - 1 April. Of the cyclists, 1400 were interstate visitors, around 50 were international visitors, and 1200 were Western Australians.

The fully escorted camping tour overwhelmed the towns of Albany, Denmark, Walpole, Manjimup (1 rest day), Nannup, Augusta, Margaret River (2 rest days), Busselton, Bunbury, and Pinjarra before concluding in Perth. Many local businesses praised the event after it generated their busiest trading day in years; some testimonials are below:

• Augusta Visitor Centre: "The week leading up to the day, was flat out with people seeking accommodation. Couldn't fit anyone in town! It was the best weekend ever for town."
• Nannup Visitor Centre: "It was a phenomenal day for the visitor's centre, more than 1400 people coming through asking questions about Nannup and the surrounding places and attractions - everyone was really genuinely interested in the region and commented on the beauty of it. Accommodation was fully booked out in and around town - people were even booking places up to 40kms out of town. Some people even stayed at the owner's houses - because they were double booked!"
• Finance Officer Voyager Estate: "It was the biggest day of trade ever by 30% on the Sunday (26th). The following two days sales were tripled compared to the same day last year. We had all staff possible working. It was an unbelievable and incredible event - would love to have it back".

What was The Main Roads Lifecycle Great WA Bike Ride? It was an 827 kilometre bicycle ride from Albany to Perth via the beautiful south west coast of the state. It was sponsored by Main Roads Western Australia and organised by Bicycle Victoria. It attracted 2,600 riders and 250 volunteers. 1200 were Western Australian. It was a fully escorted camping tour, and the first of its kind of this size.

Cycle Touring and its Tourism Benefits

In Australia organised cycling events are attracting more participants each year. Annual "big rides" that are run by state cycling organisations in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria attract between 800 and 8000 people. These events inject millions of dollars into the local economies. In Victoria, two events, "Around the Bay in a Day" and the "Great Victorian Bike Ride", attracted more than 8000 riders each in 2004.

The only cycle touring event in Western Australia annually is the Cycle Touring Association's (WA) annual On Your Bike (OYB) tour, which is limited to 120 participants. Entries for this fill up fast. The 2006 OYB tour was in the Geraldton, Kalbarri area. This area is an excellent holiday area, but is also an excellent destination for a cycle tour. The climate is desirable, and the roads quite safe.

As well as paying an entry fee, ride participants also inject money into local economies when purchasing, food, accommodation and entertainment. Some regional areas stand to benefit from organised tours. Trends from overseas indicate that cycle tourism could reach 5 -10 % of the tourism market. To quote the Cycle Tourism of Australia's Fact Sheet, "Despite the size of the cycle tourism market overseas, little formal research on the potential of this market has been done in Australia".

Organisations

Cyclists in Australia are served by a range of associations and organisations. It should be noted that more recently the bicycle industry and cycling organisations have realized the potential of cycle tourism and taken a lead role in trying to develop a coherent and organized approach to its development and marketing through the establishment of the Australian Centre for Excellence for Cycle Tourism (now called Cycling Tourism Australia).

The Centre aims to create "an environment allowing cycling to become a high yield quality tourism niche market in Australia, benefiting regional economies and creating healthier, active communities" (Australian Centre for Excellence in Cycle Tourism, 2005) and is an initiative of Bicycle SA, the Cycling Promotion Alliance and the Bicycle Federation of Australia. However, the Centre attempts to bring together the cycling industry and associations with tourism development and promotion bodies at a national, regional and local level.

References:

1. Cycle Tourism Australia MEDIA FACT SHEET 20 October 2005;
2. Excerpt from Tourism WA's weekly newsletter April 2006;
3. Cycle Tourism Fact Sheet - Cycle Tourism Australia, and;
4. Cycle Tourism in Australia: An investigation into its size and scope February 2006 Ms Pam Faulks, Dr Brent Ritchie, Dr Martin Fluker, Sustainable Tourism CRC.