Cycling Tourism Self-Assessment Tool for Communities

Self-Assessment completed by:*
Community/destination representatives (e.g. city/municipal staff, city staff, community champions etc.) are good choices to complete this self-assessment. Tip: Staff members on the front line with visitors will have a particularly good perspective to bring to the discussion.
Title/Position:*
Business Name:*
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Date*
Phone*
Email*
A copy of your completed self-assessment will be emailed to the address you provide.
Please be advised that completed self-assessments are stored on Destination Northern Ontario’s database. Your business/personal information is protected under Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) with results kept confidential and only shared within DNO for the purpose of providing insights into needs and trends in product, training and workforce development initiatives and will not be used for anything outside this purpose. For any questions, please contact Karen Peacock, Senior Coordinator, Industry Training at k.peacock@destinationnorthernontario.ca.
A note on your responses: When you receive your completed self-assessment (emailed to you after you click the submit button), pay special attention to any 'Does Not Meet' selections. These are opportunities for improvement. Ideally, you want to see all 'Exceeds' or 'Meets' selections.
Key Practices for Working in Cycle Tourism
General Practices
5 Questions
1. Community has completed Tourism Excellence North’s Visitor Appeal Assessment Tool and Community Tourism Assessment Index.*
Links to both TEN tools will be emailed to you once you complete this self-assessment. If you have not yet completed these TEN tools, we highly recommend you begin. For any questions, contact Karen Peacock at 705-523-2228 or k.peacock@destinationnorthernontario.ca.
2. Community is involved with its local or regional Destination Marketing Organizations, Destination Northern Ontario and tourism partners within its cluster on priority product development, marketing and/or training initiatives.*
3. Community has an Ontario By Bike certified Bicycle-Friendly Business Areas (BFBA) submitted through a Business Improvement Area, Chamber of Commerce or similar association.*
4. Bicycle-Friendly Business Areas are located within a region supporting the Ontario By Bike Network.*
5. Community is designated (bronze, silver or gold) or is in the process of completing the application with Share The Road.*
Legal Practices
4 Questions
1. Community has a minimum of $2 million liability insurance. A higher amount of liability insurance may be required depending on the event (i.e. level of risk, alcohol involved, etc.). Inquire with insurance provider to ensure correct coverage and amount.*
2. Community complies with all municipal, provincial and federal health and safety laws and regulations.*
3. Community has prepared and reviewed a written occupational health and safety policy and has developed and maintained a program to implement that policy. All postings and training requirements have been met.*
4. Community has a policy that mandates the accommodation of cyclists on all roads.*
Operations
11 Questions
1. Community has at least five (5) applicable businesses participating and certified by Ontario By Bike as bicycle-friendly locations, including one of each category - accommodations, food services, attractions. Note: A certified bicycle-friendly accommodation business needs to be located no further than 3 km away from proposed business area.*
2. Community has a comprehensive, connected, and well-maintained bicycling network.*
3. Ample bike parking is available within the proposed business area and throughout the community. When hosting community events, additional bike parking or bike valet service is made available.*
4. Community participates in Ontario By Bike Network evaluation, including an annual Business Perception Survey of both participating and non-participating businesses.*
5. Community has a current comprehensive bicycle plan.*
6. Community provides law enforcement officers with training on the rights and responsibilities of all road users.*
7. All municipal/travel information centre staff are knowledgeable of participation in the Ontario By Bike Network, the Bicycle-Friendly Business Areas designation and the above-noted services and amenities.*
8. There is an allocation of (at least) one (1) storefront or community champion location designated and clearly promoted as a Bike Welcome Centre, equipped with a bike repair station (e.g. allen keys, wrenches, patch kits, tire levers, pump, etc.) and up-to-date local cycling information and maps.*
9. There is cycling infrastructure and/or a signed route in and out of proposed business area.*
10. Bikes/Ebikes (option for long distances) are available as rentals.*
11. Pre-trip planning materials are available online (e.g. maps, trail descriptions).*
Marketing
5 Questions
1. Community has a defined brand that is strong, consistent and attractive throughout the operation. It represents more than a logo, letterhead and website. It is also the set of expectations, memories, stories and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer’s decision to choose one product or service over another.*
2. Community promotes active and safe transportation including as an option to get to and from work, school or local events.*
3. Education and awareness are provided to motorists and cyclists on their rights and responsibilities as road users.*
4. A dedicated webpage indicating the Bicycle-Friendly Business Areas designation, listing certified bicycling-friendly business locations is in place.*
5. Bicycle-Friendly Business Areas champion(s) do outreach and promote Ontario By Bike Network to member businesses through distribution of its Business Outreach Kit.*
Congratulations! You've come to the end of the Self-Assessment. Once you click 'Submit' your completed Self-Assessment will be emailed to the address that you provided at the start of this form.
You will also receive suggestions on how to use the data from your completed Self-Assessment AND a list of online resources for organizations and regulations that appeared in this Self-Assessment

Cycling Tourism Self-Assessment Tool for Communities

Key Practices for Working in Cycle Tourism

General Practices

Legal Practices

Operations

Marketing

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