The European Cycle Route Network Eurovelo: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Tourism

25th Sep 2012

This 2012 update of a 2009 study evaluates the challenges and opportunities of developing a cycle tourism network across Europe. It focuses on EuroVelo, a network of 14 long distance routes managed by the European Cyclists’ Federation. The study reviews the market for cycle tourism and presents a model of demand for EuroVelo. 

The Epidemiology of Mountain Bike Park Injuries at the Whistler Bike Park (Canada)

10th Aug 2012

This research report, published in the June 2012 edition of Wilderness & Environmental Medicine,describes the epidemiology of injuries sustained during the 2009 season at Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Although exposure information is unavailable, the researchers suggest the findings demonstrate serious risks associated with this sport and highlight the need for continued research into appropriate safety equipment and risk avoidance measures.

Maps for Australian cycle tourists in the online world: who uses them and what content are they looking for? (Australia)

10th Apr 2012

This paper reports on recent research at the University of Canberra that has explored the use of online technologies by cycle tourists in Australia. The paper briefly explores the definition and scope of cycle tourism and then goes on to identify the online aids that cycle tourists are using and what content they are seeking from these sources, particularly online maps. This paper was published in 2012 in the Proceedings of the Fourth Australian Cycling Conference.

Capital Region Cycle Tourism Project (Australia)

23rd Jun 2011

This presentation by Dennis Puniard, Centre for Tourism Research, University of Canberra provides an overview of the Capital Region Cycle Tourism research project. The research has identified detailed information about cycle tourism behaviour.

Regional Communities and Cycling: A Longitudinal Study of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail (Australia)

27th Sep 2010

This report, published in 2009, is the third in a longitudinal study of the impact of rail trails on the communities through which they pass, particularly in terms of economic input and increased amenity for all.  The study attempts to address a dearth of information relating to cycling, tourism and regional communities in Australia by concentrating not only on an overall economic contribution of a Rail Trail, but also on the host communities through which it travels. 

Rail-trails and community sentiment (USA)

27th Sep 2010

This report, published in 1998 by Rails to Trails Conservancy, documents the types of opposition to rail trails and provides strategies for overcoming opposition. Of the 125 projects studied, 85% met with no local opposition and where the community raised concerns trail proponents were able to work with the community to reach common ground. 

Cycle Tourism in Australia - an investigation into its size and scope (Australia)

27th Sep 2010

This research report, published by Sustainable Tourism CRC in 2007, investigates the size and scope of the Australian cycle tourism market. Information contained in this report was based on a literature review on cycle tourism; an internet search of cycling organisations and cycling events; and personal communications with cycling organisations and event organisers.  

The European Cycle Route Network EuroVelo - Challenges & opportunities for sustainable tourism (EU)

27th Sep 2010

This study, published in 2009, evaluates the challenges and opportunities of developing a cycle tourism network across Europe. It focuses on EuroVelo, a network of 12 long-distance routes managed by the European Cyclists’ Federation, which is being developed in different countries by a wide range of partners. The study reviews the market for cycle tourism in Europe and presents a EuroVelo demand model. It reviews the carriage of cycles on trains. Finally, it evaluates the potential of the Iron Curtain Trail.

An Economic Analysis of Rail Trails in Victoria, Australia

09th May 2009

Rail Trails are multi-use tourism and recreation trails using abandoned railway lines for use usually by cyclists, walkers and horse riders. Many of the disused railways in Australia are in rural areas, providing unprecedented access to and through some spectacular scenery and bushland, along with associated personal and community benefits.

The main aim of the study was to establish the economic benefits of the development of Rail Trails to the communities surrounding the trails, especially in terms of direct and indirect employment and financial injection. The ongoing costs of community-based projects such as Rail Trails need to be considered against the benefits (in this case, economic), which are many, but have not been adequately quantified in Australia.