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
2019 Survey Result Highlights
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
2018 Survey Result Highlights
2015 Greenbelt Route Edition
- For the first time in 2015, the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure (GWTA) moved away from the water and into Ontario’s protected countryside. The GWTA is a six-day ride (August 16-21) along the 475 km Greenbelt Route, spanning seven regions from Northumberland to Niagara.
- The Greenbelt Route is the successful result of a three-year initiative funded by the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and led by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust in collaboration with the 27 communities through which the route runs.
Participant Survey highlights:
- 84% think the Greenbelt Route provides a great cycling experience (40% strongly agree and 44% agree)
- 67% view the Greenbelt Route as well-marked (31% strongly agree; 36% agree)
- 75% feel safe on the Greenbelt Route (23% strongly agree; 52% agree)
- 64% will return to the Greenbelt Route in the next 24 months
- 40% first time on the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure (GWTA)
- 73% will/have participated in one or more other cycling holidays in Ontario in 2015
- 36% will/have participated in one or more other cycling holiday outside Ontario in 2015
- 100% enjoyed the Special edition GWTA-Greenbelt Launch (67% strongly agree and 33% agree)
- On average participants spent $849 during the six days ($142 daily) of the GWTA on transportation, food, accommodation, shopping, merchandise and other recreational activities)
- Economic benefits associated with the ride was $176K
See Survey Results: GWTA 2015 Survey Results for GB Partner Meeting
“So hilly, but a welcome challenge and never boring! And the hard work of up hills is so often rewarded with spectacular views!”
“How I wish I was close enough to go there on a whim to enjoy again! It is BEAUTIFUL!”
“Have already been back!”
“We will definitely take our bikes when we drive up to the Greenbelt in the future.”
