The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure (GWTA) is an annual cycle tour and awareness ride that the Waterfront Regeneration Trust hosts in partnership with waterfront communities and First Nations. The ride attracts 150 to 200 cyclists from all over Canada and the US. Many are new to cycle tourism; many become enthusiastic champions for the initiative. Participants are in a unique position to offer insights into the quality of experience that that Trail provides. Survey participants rate the experience, evaluate the Trail and describe their interest in cycling tourism.
2019 GWTA Participant Survey
The 2019 Great Waterfront Trail Adventure (GWTA) launched the Lake Huron North Channel expansion, showcased 450 km of Trail from Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury and featured 11 projects. 150 participants from Canada and the US cycled the North, many for the first time. Survey participants rate the experience, evaluate the Trail and describe their interest in cycling tourism. The report also provides a summary of itinerary and political engagment.
2019 Survey Result Highlights
•150 participants aged 23 to 81. 102 responded to the survey.
•91% live in Ontario. 4% Reside in the United States (Florida, Massasschutes, Minnesota, New Jersey, Arizona). 4% reside in other Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick).
•54 elected representatives met participants at rest stops and in some cases cycled with the group.
•$143,000 estimated local total economic benefits related to the GWTA 2019 (based on survey).
•25% first time on the GWTA; 76% first time cycling in Northern Ontario.
•98% will recommend the GWTA to friends and family
•92% rate the GWTA as an excellent (60%) or very good (32%) summer holiday.
•79% will recommend the Lake Huron North Channel to friends and family for a visit (absolutely 40%; yes 39%)
•84% believe this section of the route is well-marked (33% strongly; 51% agree)
•78% felt safe on this section of the Trail (33% strongly agree; 45% agree)
•86% state this section of the Trail provides a great cycling experience (45% strongly agree; 41% agree)
•83% felt comfortable cycling on Hwy 17 (51% strongly; 32% agree). Noise and truck traffic on HWY 17 were listed as concerns by respondents.
•94% view the Trail as an important part of regenerating the Great Lakes (63% strongly agree; 31% agree)
•52% will return to visit a community or area we cycle during the 2019 GWTA.
•$985 Average spending per participant.
•Pave/compress gravel is recommended as a priority improvement
Where do we start! The incredibly beautiful raw and untouched scenery, the excellent shoulder improvement on Highway 17, the opportunity to see what lays behind the highway, the welcoming, friendly and enthused local people… 2019 GWTA participant
2018 GWTA Participant Survey
The 2018 Great Waterfront Trail Adventure (GWTA) showcased 540 km and six new trail projects from Ajax to South Glengarry. Survey participants rate the experience, evaluate the Trail and describe their interest in cycling tourism.
2018 Survey Result Highlights
•167 participants aged 13 to 80
•85% live in Ontario. 12% Reside in the United States (11 states). 3% reside in other Canadian provinces (Nova Scotia, Quebec, Alberta).
•26 elected representatives met participants at rest stops and in some cases cycled with the group.
•$203,805 estimated local total economic benefits related to the GWTA 2018.
•39% first time on the GWTA
•97% will recommend the GWTA to friends and family
•90% rate the GWTA as an excellent (52%) or very good (38%) summer holiday.
•99% will recommend the area to friends and family for a visit (absolutely 72%; yes 28%)
•43% believe this section of the route is well-marked (10% strongly; 33% agree)
•79% felt safe on this section of the Trail (33% strongly agree; 46% agree)
•98% state this section of the Trail provides a great cycling experience (66% strongly agree; 32% agree)
•99% view the Trail as an important part of regenerating the Great Lakes (75% strongly agree; 24% agree)
•75% will return to visit a community or area we cycle during the 2018 GWTA.
•$833 Average spending per participant.
•42% will take 2-4 pleasure trips where cycling is a significant part of the trip.
