1

The

Georgian Bay

Cycling Route

Together

we will make it

a reality

Hi, my name is Maja Mielonen and my partner’s name is Guy Nielen. We are chair and co-chair of the Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates, also known as MICA. We bring you greetings from beautiful Manitoulin. This region is actively represented by the LaCloche Manitoulin Business Assistance Corporation, MP Carol Hughes and MPP Michael Mantha, who have given their full support to the Georgian Bay Cycling Route.

2

In the winter of 2010, Guy and I

started to lobby for paved

shoulders on Hwy 6 with a lot of

local support.

These paved shoulders are now

noted as existing infrastructure in

the MTO Cycling Strategy draft

paper.

MICA was inaugurated in

Dec 2010.

3

In spring of 2011 MICA, supported by the

LACLOCHE MANITOULIN BUSINESS

ASSISTANCE CORPORATION,

held its first Annual Share the Road Ride.

I am happy to invite you to our:

3rd Annual

Manitoulin Passage Ride

Held this year on June 8 & 9

It is a wonderful 2 day ride with

FREE FERRY PASSAGE for cyclists,

great food, good fun and live

entertainment.

4

NOW, I am excited to present to you the

Georgian Bay Cycling Route •It is over 900 km long. •Wraps around all of Georgian Bay. •Involves three Regional Tourist Organizations known as RTO’s. •Includes the Trans Canada Trail. •Connects to existing public transportation options and •reopens the old hwy 69 corridor to active living tourism that is now bypassed by Hwy 400. •A keen cyclist is able to ride the entirety of this route in a week.

5

Today's ride around Georgian Bay starts in South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island. We cycle north on paved shoulders along Hwy 6, through scenic Manitoulin and the breathtaking La Cloche Mountains all the way to Espanola.

6

Continuing West – East: We follow the preliminary route laid out by the tireless work of Denis Baldwin and Guy Nielen, primarily using low traffic roads and following the wonderful Trans Canada Trail, A great Rainbow Routes achievement, right through the heart of Sudbury, all the way out to Wahnapitae.

7

Heading North to South:

We continue south along old Hwy 69,

skirting Hwy 400. This section will re-

establish active living and economic

development options to that region.

• Benefiting local businesses now cut off

by Hwy 400 along this corridor.

• Reopening access for cyclists from

north and south to the spectacular,

rugged, northern beauty found in

Killarney Provincial Park.

• Creating recreational and commuting

opportunities for locals and visitors

alike.

8

Following our Route South to North:

•We cycle on low traffic roads,

existing non-motorized trails and

arrive again on the paved shoulders

of Hwy 6 through the Bruce Peninsula

to Tobermory.

•Ontario has public transportation in

place connecting the GTA to our

route.

•The Parkbus brings you to Owen Sound,

and the Go Train to Barrie,

offering a perfect and

sustainable green holiday option.

9

To conclude today's journey

around Georgian Bay:

The Ferry represents the

essential component.

The M.S. Chi-Cheemaun,

provides a very pleasant

passage, bringing us back to

Manitoulin, the largest

freshwater Island in the world.

10

Economic Benefits: LODGING You can well imagine that a good bed at night is appreciated after a long day in the saddle. GASTRONOMY We all know that good, healthy food fuels the cyclist. ATTRACTIONS Cyclists, just like all our other visitors, enjoy attending local attractions and events to sweeten their journey.

11

Local Benefits & Marketing:

Safe cycling routes

•Assist in building healthy, happy,

environmentally friendly communities.

•Help individuals to make green

commuting choices and they also

have great socio-economic benefits.

•Provide affordable holiday options

for local families and individuals.

•Keep local dollars local.

12

Benefits & Marketing to the GTA: Easy public transportation connections to the Georgian Bay area offer weekend getaways for GTA dwellers who plan to escape the city in a sustainable way. __________________________________________ A document titled Transportation and the new Generation reports a drop of 23% in car miles driven by 16-34 year olds. It states that cycling has increased by 24% between 2001-2009. This same generation has 26% fewer licensed drivers. 45% of this generation are making a conscious effort to replace driving with transportation alternatives.

13

International Benefits & Marketing: The Georgian Bay Cycling Route will in no time become an Internationally recognized cycling destination by its sheer size and connections from every point on the compass. Touring companies from all over the world will start to offer cycling vacations to this splendid route once it is in place. Being green at home often means wanting to travel green on holidays.

14

Where can we find funding?

Ontario has made Cycling

Infrastructure eligible under the

Municipal Infrastructure

Investment Initiative, as part of

a Municipality’s complete Asset

Management Plan.

15

MICA believes that the Georgian Bay Cycling

Route meets MTO funding criteria. Due to the facts: 1. that a large portion of the route has no

alternative options.

2. that the Georgian Bay Cycling Route fits into the goals of the Ministry of Tourism.

3. that the Georgian Bay cycling Route satisfies the goals found in the RTO’s strategy papers.

MICA sees this route as a vital link to the province-wide cycling network.

16

Some implementation needs MICA

can see are:

1. Someone taking on the lead for a

province-wide cycling plan.

2. Community support possibly led

by the three RTO’s involved.

3. MTO’s ongoing involvement

making their vision of an Ontario-

wide cycling web come true.

4. Ontario will need to place

Internationally recognized signs.

17

Actions Needed Now:

Right now we ask for letters of support

from all of you for a feasibility study.

We welcome detailed input to this route.

Our website will let you interactively

add your local suggestions.

We believe that the Georgian Bay Cycling

Route will enhance and provide essential

links to the provincial cycling plan.

Together we can succeed in building this

wonderful route.

18

We brought with us the beautiful

Manitoulin Cycling Routes

&

Road Map

The map is available for $ 2.00.

MICA needs to provide 10% of the

funding for the Georgian Bay Cycling

Route feasibility study.

We ask you to assist our small

organization with this big project.

Please make a generous donation.

Maps and donation forms are

available at the back.

We thank you for your support.

19

Potential Partners:

Many hands make light work.

This route has so many benefits on

so many levels, that we are looking

forward to receiving helping hands

from just as many sides.

By working together from the

grassroots up and from the top

down, we will create a powerful

foundation to ride happily, safely,

healthfully and cleanly into the

future.

20

Your support and assistance

will be invaluable to

polish the

Georgian Bay Cycling

Route

to the Jewel it can be

21

We thank you for your time,

support and interest.

You can find facts, stats,

contact information , and

map details on our website.

www.manitoulincycling.com

22

23