Ontario by Bike – Award Winning Bicycle Friendly Businesses

Media Release                                                   For Immediate Release May 4, 2022

Award Winning Bicycle Friendly Businesses
Ready to Welcome Cyclists Across Ontario

(Ontario, Canada) As the cycling season gets going in full with warmer ride temperatures and summer ahead, Ontario By Bike announces the 23 best bicycle friendly businesses and award winners for 2022, across the province.

Whether riding closer to home, or travelling to destinations across Ontario, exploring Ontario’s vast array of trails and road routes, coupled with a stop at any one of these award winning locations to eat, visit or sleep, will be a highlight of any bike outing, day trip or longer multi-day tour.

With travel in Ontario by Ontario residents anticipated to have another boom year, plus the welcoming back of international and cross-Canada visitors, cycling and cycle tourism in Ontario is expected to be a highly popular activity this year.

• Cycling activity increased during Covid – 82% increased or did the same amount of cycling in 2021.
• 75% of cyclists are considering making non-local regional travel plans that include cycling in 2022.
• 46% of trips that include cycling in 2022 are anticipated to be overnight trips, 30% are considering day trips.
• 31% are considering participating in some type of organized cycling activity, including returning to events and tours in 2022.

(Source: Ontario Cycle Tourism and Cycling Activity Report 2021/2022 www.transportationoptions.org/ontarioresearch)

Cyclists can find over 1,550 Ontario businesses certified as bicycle friendly by Ontario By Bike across the province who are ready to roll out a welcome to cyclists.

Just announced and showcased this year are the 23 award winning businesses who have all gone above and beyond, offering extra services and amenities to cyclists stopping at their locations. The awards are presented by Ontario By Bike, whose certification program has criteria that helps ensure cyclists are welcomed at businesses they choose to stop at whether it be as a cycle tourist, on a longer trip, or while biking closer to home. The Network is free for businesses to participate in and the information on each location plus cycling trails and road routes in each region is easily accessible online.

“We are pleased to celebrate and recognize the commitment and level of service that these 23 bicycle friendly businesses offer cyclists that stop at their locations. With many welcoming a wide array of customers, not just cyclists, we encourage a visit to their businesses to support their ongoing enterprises during what has been a challenging few years. Congratulations to all winners of the annual awards, now in its fourth year.” – Louisa Mursell, Executive Director of Ontario By Bike/Transportation Options.

Businesses will be featured in the popular monthly e-newsletter that is issued by Ontario By Bike and avidly read by over 16,200 cyclists. Additionally, cyclists can find info on bike routes, itineraries and all certified bicycle friendly businesses at www.ontariobybike.ca, rated the most used website for ideas to plan cycling outings and routes in Ontario. Paired with the annual Cycling in Ontario / Le vélo en Ontario magazine cyclists have all the resources they need to get rolling.

2022 Ontario By Bike Bicycle Friendly Business Award Winners:

www.ontariobybike.ca/2022awardwinners

(See below for quotes from award winning businesses.)

Quotes From 2022 Award Winning Businesses:

“Since I have had the privilege of biking all over the world I know the importance of great hospitality. People everywhere have always been most helpful to me, so I appreciate all who travel on two wheels.” Jean Vedova, Kettle Creek Inn – Port Stanley.

“Covid and the closure of our border with the US has impacted traffic from tourists. The tourists who have visited are excited to have us personalize their visit and create experiences that surprise and delight them.” Lori Newton, The Windsor Bike Kitchen.

“We want our guests to feel as comfortable as possible before heading to the trails, so we do what we can to make this happen. We have an employee who is the ‘go to’ for cycling.” Lynn Goulet, Best Western Rose City Suites – Welland.

“Located at Mattamy National Cycling Centre we are a perfect location for group road ride starts and those riding the track. We will be able to offer food and coffee to groups and individuals through the whole year. If a quick fix is needed, tuneup or bike fit – we can do that as well with a certified mechanic on staff at all times.” Allison Green, The Fix powered by Velofix – Milton.

“We have rescued many travellers on their bikes from flat tires and needing adjustments to their bikes. It’s a great experience when you have someone from another community come in to your retail store and share a little about their cycling experiences.” Mike Longhurst, A1 Cycle – Brantford.

“I love sharing my experience with others to see our very own beautiful backyard.” Vicky Rao, Changing Gears – Guelph/Goderich.

“It always makes our day when cyclists from afar make Snapping Turtle Coffee Roasters a rest stop on their tour. Cyclists from Woodstock, Kitchener, London and Stratford – some arriving in large groups – regularly stopped by last season – bringing our bike parking corral and on-street patio alive with their colourful jerseys.” Chris Cumming, Snapping Turtle Coffee Roasters – St. Marys.

“After experiencing COVID and losing so much as a small business, I decided to focus on my back door, unique laneways, interesting connections and the many dog walkers, cyclists and people who choose not to use a car by opening The Tea Cup Bike Patio.” Tracey Pepe, The Scented L’air – Brampton.

“We’ve had countless customers break down on the road and/or trail, feeling lost and afraid, and members of our team have gone out or come across them and helped out. Our staff carry extra tubes and CO2 and regularly replenish their stock because they’ve helped riders out of a jam.” Elie Riviere, Cycle Life – Port Perry & Pickering.

“Grackle Coffee cares about their community and those that choose to visit. It is frequented by thousands of cyclists annually. It is a regular weekend event for them to receive calls in advance from cycling clubs, letting them know that over 100 cyclists will be stopping by at a specific time.  During the winter season, it is not uncommon for the cyclists to return and bring their families to enjoy the Grackle experience.” Amanda Bachelor and Bryce Baker, The Grackle Coffee Company – Schomberg.

“Customers love to see how we incorporated both businesses under one roof, without the bike shop overwhelming the coffee seating area. The vibe is cozy and warm, while still allowing our bike mechanics to function with the tools and room they need.” Scott Campbell, Summit Social House – Collingwood.

“In front of our brewery is a big hill which cyclist love to challenge themselves on – there is a flat way in too – and then when they reach the top it is like heaven and they see our beautiful property with all its amenities waiting for them to relax and visit.” Catherine Pearson, Quayle’s Brewery – Coldwater.

“We have never had a cyclist stay that we didn’t like! As former cyclists, we know how important it is to be comfortable in your surroundings. We offer that comfort to all our guests, but most especially to our cycling guests!” Ron Currie, Russell Manor Bed & Breakfast – Morrisburg.

The Café has locks for our bicycles so that we can enjoy the patio out back on the river.  With friendly, healthy food and amazing service, groups are welcomed and the local owner Nathalie is always there for advice, suggestions, or any kind of help. Nathalie Bercier-Gauthier, Café Sur la rive – Plantagenet.

“With direct access to the Algonquin Trail, thousands of cyclists stop by each year. Last year we had a group of tourists backpacking cyclists from Germany who required major bikes repairs. Yantha Cycle fixed them up and got them moving in only a few hours.” Adam Yantha, Yantha Cycle – Pembroke.

“Rarely a day goes by that there aren’t bikes on our property. Being right downtown we make an ideal stopover for local and visiting cyclists. Our tile floors in the pub echo the clank from the clips of cyclists’ shoes when they arrive.  No sneaking in for sure! It always brings a grin and the servers know they are likely very thirsty!” Shawn Chamberlin, Dominion Hotel and Pub – Minden.

“We are located in the Almaguin Highlands and are a stop on many cycling routes and for cyclists touring near north breweries. Many cycling clubs use our parking facilities as a meeting place for the beginning of their ride. It’s always a pleasure speaking with them and hearing about their adventures.” Jacquie Lockhart, South River Brewing Company – South River.

“From the art gallery cyclists can access our gardens and shaded seating areas in a beautiful park like setting. They can also use the washroom, bike repair kit and cycling maps, plus fill up on water. We have added special treads to the stairs in the gallery to avoid slips with cycling shoes.” Shannon McMullan, Perivale Gallery – Spring Bay, Manitoulin Island.

“We pride ourselves in being in the heart of Thunder Bay’s downtown district and being a welcome beacon to cyclists from near and far. Our shop is frequently visited by those making their way across Canada from east to west or vice versa and it’s always nice to know we played a part in their successful tour across Canada.” Michelle Scott, 3ride Bicycle Co. – Thunder Bay.

 About Ontario By Bike™

Ontario By Bike™ works with a variety of partners to develop and promote cycling and cycle tourism across Ontario. Administering a Network of over 1,550 certified bicycle friendly businesses and providing a comprehensive portal of information, Ontario By Bike is inspiring visitors and residents to explore more of the province by bike. Ontario By Bike is a program of Transportation Options, a non-profit organization, celebrating 30 years of innovative programming, dedicated to fostering sustainable transportation and tourism solutions in Ontario.

• Ontario By Bike – www.ontariobybike.ca
• Transportation Options – www.transportationoptions.org
• Cycle tourism stats and facts including the Ontario Cycle Tourism and Cycling Activity Report 2021/2022 – www.transportationoptions.org/ontarioresearch
• 2022 Cycling in Ontario / Le velo en Ontario guide – www.ontariobybike.ca/2022

Media Contact: Louisa Mursell

Executive Director, Ontario By Bike / Transportation Option
lmursell@transportationoptions.org

Office: 416.827.2774 / 1.866.701.2774

Cell: 416.823.0465