RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
BIKING IN ONTARIO'S HIGHLANDS
HALIBURTON, ONTARIO, CANADA
Photo: Haliburton Highlands Economic Development & Tourism
Travel has the power to give us new perspectives about recreation and transportation when we go home. Riding a bike is good fun, good exercise and emission free. And it’s not only for vacations and holidays in places like Haliburton, Ontario.
What's
changing
Cycling is already a popular recreational activity, offering significant benefits to health and the environment, though it is not always easily accessible or top of mind. Recognizing that travel, including local tourism, can change how people live, some organizations are implementing simple programs within their communities to help residents and visitors rethink both recreation and short commutes.
What's already
possible
In Haliburton, the Rotary Club provides six free bicycles for anyone to use. Many Rotary Club members are passionate cyclists and want cycling to be available to locals and visitors.
Seizing
the opportunity
Riders, who must be over the age of 18, use an app to unlock bicycles and place a security deposit. Helmets are also provided with the bikes. Startup costs for the bike share program totaled 16,000 Canadian dollars. Now, it costs about CA$3,000 to maintain the program annually.
Standout
tactic
Algonquin Outfitters, a local bike shop, maintains the bicycles in exchange for advertising on them. Dynamic Bicycles, the app used for unlocking bikes, monitors maintenance and sends alerts to the retail shop when bikes need attention.
How
it helps
The program’s popularity grows every year. About 400 people have used the program since it started in 2022. In 2023, an average of 16 bikes were used per week. The 2024 summer is seeing 28 bikes unlocked per week. Demand usually meets the supply available with some busier weekends exceeding it. Irv Handler, who advocated for the program alongside his colleague, Mike Landry, said that additional benefits of the program are the fun and community spirit that it adds to the fabric of the town.
Diving
deeper
How can bike share programs balance accessibility with the need to ensure that all users have the skills and knowledge to ride safely?
Increasing
impact
The Rotary Club is evaluating plans to add accessible bikes to the program. This initiative aims to broaden the program's definition of accessibility by addressing not only financial but also physical needs, ensuring that everyone can benefit from the service.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
