“A sense of arrival” is how BC Bike Race’s top organizer describes receiving a $65,000 investment from the province.
“When the government starts to recognize, ‘Wow this is a real economic driver in the whole province from a tourism perspective,’ this is really exciting,” said Dean Payne, president of the race, which runs through Squamish.
Payne said he sees this investment as a vote of confidence from the province. He also believes it’s a sign B.C. is starting to view mountain biking as a vital part of the tourism industry.
Indeed, that sentiment seems to be consistent with some of the numbers. One study from the Mountain Bike Tourism Association shows the mountain bike trails of the North Shore, Squamish and Whistler altogether generated $10.3 million in spending from riders living outside of those communities from June 4 to Sept. 17 in 2006.
The province also said the BC Bike Race recently generated $3.4 million of economic activity in the region, including $2.3 million in the towns participating in the tour.
“It just also shows where mountain biking as a sector in the province is becoming a lot more legitimate,” Payne said.
The race spans several towns near B.C.’s coast, with Squamish often being considered a favourite destination among participants.
More than 600 riders from 36 countries will be cruising through trails at this event, which will take place from July 5 to 13 this year.
The money is being given by Destination BC, the provincial branch responsible for tourism.
These funds will be used to create a video series that will highlight the towns the bike race occurs in.
“We promote our event, which is promoting B.C. and the coastal communities we go through,” said Payne.
“This will put it kind of on steroids.” Aside from Squamish, the race includes Cumberland, Powell River, Earls Cove to Sechelt, Sechelt to Langdale, North Vancouver and Whistler.
While event organizers have already prepared videos about the trails in each town, this new seven-part series will place more emphasis on the actual communities.
