It is inspiring to to see…

It is inspiring to to see the province of Ontario moving forward with a comprehensive cycling strategy!  I am an Ottawa resident who has moved from being a recreational cyclist who occasionally cycled to work to a regular bike commuter and bicycle tourist over the last five years or so.  As noted in one of the statistics cited in the report, my commute to work is a highlight of my day, as I am lucky to be able to cycle down the pathway along the Rideau River on my commute to work most days from April to early Dec (now that my kîds have grown up and I do not need to pick them up at daycare). I would love to tour the province by bicycle, and am very encouraged to see an emphasis on bicycle touriism in this strategy.  The province of Quebec has been an leader with the Route Verte.  My husband and I did a trip in the Eastern Townships of Quebec before we ever ventured on a bike trip outside Ottawa.  We have started exploring the areas around Ottawa, and have done day trips on the bike route east of Ottawa towards Pointe Fortune and also down the parkway along Lake Ontario towards Gananoque.  Our perception however is that most Ontario bike routes are on highways, which is not very appealing, even for folks who are pretty comfortable cycling in traffic.  Bicycle tourism has huge potential in Ontario if we can find and provide clear signs for appealing routes.  My husband and I have done 10-day self-directed bike tours in Switzerland and in France, and lomg weekends in the QC Eastern townships and in New York Finger Lakes area, and would love to do the same in Ontario if the infrastructure and signage were developed enough!  It is a great way for folks from around the world to discover what a wonderful place Ontario is, and how much it has to offer!

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