Consulting and Project Management Services

The Transportation Options team has extensive experience and success in the development, launch and coordination of cycle tourism products and other sustainable tourism initiatives across Ontario.  The following is an overview of the services that we can provide to government, regional tourism or private business clients.  

Menu of Services
Ontario By Bike Network
  • Industry training workshops
  • Customized research, information and supporting regional toolkits
  • Providing businesses with bicycle-friendly business certification
  • Promotion of region as a cycle tourism destination
Gateway Signage Program
  • Welcome Cyclists regional entry point signs
  • Distance and directions provided to nearby communities
  • QR codes driving user to custom map with bicycle friendly business locations
Marketing and Promotion 
  • Ontario cycle tourism listings, content and promotion: www.welcomecyclists.ca & www.biketrain.ca
  • Special events and programming (Bike Train weekends & regional cycling festivals)
  • Coordination of dedicated marketing campaigns
  • Publication of promotional literature, both web and print
  • Distribution of regional marketing materials to targeted audience
  • Event attendance and representation at our Ontario Cycle Tourism Information Centre at large scale consumer shows and cycling events       
Destination and Product Development Consulting
  • Complete destination audits and strategic planning services
  • Routes and service assessment
  • Route and itinerary development
  • Regional cycling map production
  • Wayfinding signage programs 
  • Facilitation of meetings with regional stakeholders
  • Transportation options evaluation
 Market Research Consulting
  • Demand assessment and growth potential for existing and future product
  • Quantitative regional research
  • Economic impact and evaluations
Media Relations/PR
  • Customized itinerary development and full media tour coordination
  • Media launch events
  • Media outreach, follow-up and specialized representation
Cycle Tourism Packages 
  • Itinerary and package development
  • Supplier research and liaison
  • Package marketing and sales (national, international)
Project Management
  • Innovative ideas turned to tangible products 
  • Ongoing project management by experienced staff
  • Versatile and accountable using a variety of funding models 

Sample of Past Consulting Projects for Clients (Click on links to see work completed)
About Transportation Options
Established in 1992, Transportation Options is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable mobility and tourism solutions across Ontario. The organization has taken a lead in the development and promotion of cycle tourism in Ontario through projects such as the Ontario By Bike Network and the Bike Train Initiative. We do so by engaging in projects that research, develop and promote new transportation and tourism choices, with a focus on those that are integrated, environmentally sound, healthy, service-oriented, and improve the experience of users.

In 2012, Transportation Options is launching the Ontario By Bike Industry Partnership, a province-wide cycle tourism development and promotional program. The Partnership will build on our innovative and award-winning cycle tourism initiatives, and provide a coordinated, province-wide approach to cycle tourism development and promotion in Ontario. 

Core services of the Ontario Welcome Cyclists Partnership include:
  • Coordinating a Program Advisory Committee and industry consultations on cycle tourism excellence.
  • Working with Ontario regions on cycle tourism product and destination development and marketing
  • Developing and bringing to market cycle tourism packages, feature itineraries and special events

Transportation Options Recent Milestones
2007
  • Greenbelt Express Toronto-Niagara Bike Train launches
  • Bike Train wins I Bike T.O. First Annual Award

2008
  • Welcome Cyclists pilot launches in Niagara
  • Bike Train wins 2 Ontario Tourism Awards: Innovator of the Year, Best Tourism Marketing Partnership

2009
  • Ontario Cycle Tourism Forum held featuring international speakers  
  • Bike Train expands to North Bay
  • Montreal-Toronto Bike Train pilot launches 
  • Bike Train finalist for TIAC Deloitte Tourism Innovator of the Year

2010
  • Bike Train expands to Windsor/Essex and Muskoka
  • 2,500+ Bike Train passengers over 30 weekends to date
  • Welcome Cyclists Network launches and expands to 8 new regions, 210 bicycle friendly businesses certified to date
  • GO Transit offers “Bike Train service” on Toronto-Niagara route
  • VIA Rail offers “Bike Train service” on daily corridor trains
  • Partners Summits held in April and November
  • Strategic Plan developed in consultation with 100+ partners and supporters representing government, business and non-profits

2011
  • Welcome Cyclists Network expands to Eastern Ontario and Manitoulin Island with 9 more workshops, 400+ bicycle-friendly businesses certified to date
  • Destination development consulting work in various regions
  • New events, ‘Celebrate Cycling in Ontario' Prince Edward County & Windsor/Essex event locations Festival’
  •  Lake Erie Waterfront Trail development work with partners Waterfront Regeneration Trust
  • Lead in coordinating Ontario Tourism support to Velo Quebec's Grand Tour 2011 in Eastern Ontario
  • Ontario Welcome Cyclists Partnership under development 
  • Introduced pilot project Parkbus, offering express bus service to Ontario parks 

2012
  • Ontario Welcome Cyclists Partnership launched with initial pan provincial Advisory Committee Meeting  
  • Promotion and marketing of Ontario's cycling destinations 
  • Continued expansion of Welcome Cyclists Network, with 28 workshops and 19 participating regions to date
  • Program management of Parkbus, offering express bus service to select national parks and Ontario provincial parks
  • Continuation as promotional partner to rail service providers offering Bike Train transportation options
  • Consulting work, destination development services continued

2013
  • Hosted the Ontario Cycle Tourism Forum, an industry conference in March
  • Continued expansion of Welcome Cyclists Network, with 38 workshops and 26 participating regions to date
  • Program management of Parkbus, offering express bus service to select national parks and Ontario provincial parks
  • Promotion and marketing of Ontario's cycling destinations 
  • Consulting work, destination development services continued

2014
  • Programs relaunched under new brand name: Ontario By Bike
  • Continued growth of all programs
    ​
2015
  • Continued expansion of the Ontario By Bike Network, with 60 workshops and 33 participating regions at year end
  • Coordinated significant marketing campaigns and outreach
  • Completed sizable research paper From Niche to Now: Cycle Tourism In Ontario
  • New website and redesign launched www.ontariobybike.ca 
  • Launched Ontario By Bike Rides, small group tours
  • Program management of Parkbus North, with program expansion adding Parkbus South and day trip options
  • Consulting work, destination development services continued
2016
  • Hosted the Cycle Tourism Conference for industry partners in Ontario and across Canada in March
  • Ontario By Bike Destination & Partner Renewal program commenced
  • Parkbus expands service to additional parks and conservation areas in Ontario

2017
  • Cycling in Ontario / Le velo en Ontario annual guide and publication now in it's 5 edition, grows to 32 pages with 37,000 copies distributed
  • Digital marketing campaign targeting Quebec and US border states market
  • Parkbus commences service in national urban centres

2018
  • Ontario By Bike Network has over 1,400 certified bicycle friendly businesses and participating locations
  • Hosted a total of 77 workshops with 2,240 participants, in 39 participating regions to date
  • Ontario By Bike Rides increase to 4 small group tours
  • Parkbus expands services in national urban centres
  • Consulting work, destination development services continued

For more information please contact the Transportation Options:
Louisa Mursell, Executive Director
416-827-2774  /  1-866-701-2774
lmursell (at) transportationoptions.org

Visit our websites
www.transportationoptions.org
www.ontariobybike.ca
www.biketrain.ca
www.parkbus.ca