US destinations like Martha’s Vineyard cater to cyclists as a market

Cycling trails along scenic routes in Martha's Vineyard draw tourist traffic

PEI’s tourist business is declining year over year. One of the reasons is our attractions are based on decade’s old marketing. It’s like trying to sell flip-ph0nes when everyone wants a smartphone.

The current debate over cyclists is just one example of how little respect is shown for a genuine tourist market. Sidewalk cyclists warned by Charlottetown police reports CBC.

There is an endless and unproductive argument going on today about bicycles on streets or sidewalks.  Except for a few parts of the city like the cycle lane in Victoria Park, cyclists are trying to find a space to move in Charlottetown without getting injured.  

Yes they are on the sidewalk sometimes but not they are not a hazard.

Where are the designated cycle lanes? No where.

We have space for them already on major streets like North River Road and St. Peters Road that seems to be as far as it goes.

Rob Lantz, Ruk and Cynthia Dunsford are having a Twitter chat about it but it takes more than that. It takes the Province to upgrade the infrastructure of PEI to accommodate the market.  It takes the City of Charlottetown to move beyond 1970s attitudes towards what tourists want.

It also takes education by the government, both municipal and provincial, to demonstrate to the public and cyclists how interdependent they are on each other.

We have the scenery but we don’t have the infrastructure for cyclists to enjoy it.

Articles that demonstrate antagonism between merchants and cyclists are not moving the ball forward.

“Sohail Hashmi owns a gift shop on a busy downtown street in Charlottetown. He’s seen the danger of bicycles on the sidewalk right outside of his store.

“One of the customers was coming out of the store and this kid was, of course, coming pretty fast. You could hear the brakes,” said Hashmi.

“It is very dangerous for the pedestrian when people are biking.”  CBC

If Massachusetts can find a way to attract cyclists why not PEI.