Forum looks at Bendigo’s cycle tourism potential

What is Bendigo’s cycle tourism potential? How do we harness it to benefit local clubs and businesses? The Friends have organised a forum to ask what other cycling groups and businesses think.

If you watched any of the Tour de France last year, you might remember the Ballarat cycling ad that played constantly during the coverage. Then there’s the Cycle Ballarat website, the Cycle Ballarat Facebook page and @CycleBallarat tweets. Ballarat, among other regional centres like Shepparton, has been actively pushing its cycling credentials. Can Bendigo do the same?

>From competitive to recreational, Bendigo too has something for every flavour of cyclist. Wrap cycling up with our huge range of accommodation, food, wine, art and heritage offerings, and we have a unique tourism product. Show that promoting cycle tourism brings visitors to Bendigo and we have evidence that investment in cycling infrastructure brings not just wellbeing, but financial returns.

We believe that by drawing together Bendigo’s cycling groups and the business community, we could turn Bendigo into the cycling destination with a full calendar of competitive and recreational attractions.

We’d like to hear what you think. Join us for the forum:

Facilitator:          Keith Sutherland
Guest speaker:   Clayton Neil, Economic Development Manager Alpine Shire,
former cycle tourism officer Murray to Mountains rail trail.

When:                Wednesday 9 May, 7.15 pm for 7.30 pm
Where:               Bendigo & District Cycling Club Rooms, Tom Flood sports centre (off Water Street)
RSVP:                Helen Cronin, [email protected] or 0419 875 801, by Monday 7 May

We look forward to seeing you there.