Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The bike has re-emerged as an eco-friendly form of transport that also
keeps tourists fit.
We now have promotions such as Bike Week, National Ride to Work Day,
Car Free Days and Bike to School Days, all aimed at getting us more active
on two wheels.
Bike trails are appearing around the world both in cities and as rural
tracks. The longest bike trail in the world is the Munda Biddi Trail (
www.
mundabiddi.org.au)
in south Western Australia.
Being bike-friendly
The resurgence of bike riding provides new opportunities for businesses.
For example, the Albany Bike Users Group in Albany, Western Australia, are
promoting bike-accredited businesses. To become an accredited business
the business has to provide free air, in case of a puncture or tyre needing to
be pumped up, complimentary water to the cyclist, bike racks, and carbo-
hydrates on the menu if a food outlet. Accreditation is a simple process, but
could become a great marketing tool.
Cycle-friendly accredited towns
The next logical progression is to develop cycle-friendly towns and cities
and the Bike Users Group is helping to develop this concept. Towns and
cities that want to develop this strategy need to establish a Cyclist Advisory
Committee and a Bicycle Programme Manager.
Consideration needs to be given to the existing transport system and their
attitude to carrying bikes. Buses, taxis, trains and rental car companies would
all need to address their policy on bikes and develop bike-friendly policies.
Bike racks need to be strategically placed around the community, with
guidelines on the correct ratio to bikes, and the rack would need to be to a
national specification. Local authorities need to develop phone apps on bike
routes to help cyclists plan routes around the town and to local attractions.
One of the key strategies is to ensure bike tracks link in safely to allow the
rider to travel around the territory and not have to negotiate heavy traffic
and dangerous road junctions.
Transport will be an ongoing issue and new ways of transporting people
to rural areas around the world will continue to evolve.
References
1
The Trend Report 2014,
www.trendwatching.com,
authors are subscribers to the topic/report
proceedings.
2
ICTA/ICTD State of the Culinary Tourism Industry report 2010. Available at:
www.great-
readiness-index-now-available-to-trade-2
(accessed
12
December 2010).
3
Experience Renewal Solutions Inc. (2009) On-Farm Marketing in Ontario - 2009 Report. Available
(accessed
5
January 2014).
