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New
Bike Friendly Certification for
Canalway
Trail Businesses Rolls Out
|
Parks &
Trails New York and the New York State Canal Corporation
launch new
bike friendly business certification program along Canalway Trail;
Release initial
list of certified businesses
|
Albany,
NY – June 2017 / Newsmaker Alert / Parks
& Trails New York and the New York State Canal Corporation recently
introduced Bike Friendly New York (BFNY), a new certification program for
businesses along the Canalway Trail system. BFNY is New York’s first large-scale
bike-friendly certification,
and is open to a wide range of businesses, from B & B’s and restaurants
to retail stores and museums. The program provides an improved level of
service for cyclists on the Erie Canalway Trail and other New York destinations
to boost cycling-based economic development at the local level.
To
be certified as bike-friendly, businesses must demonstrate that they have
taken steps to cater to cyclists, such as becoming knowledgeable about
local trails and cycling routes and having basic repair tools available.
Above these basic requirements, participating businesses can choose from
a list of additional amenities that they commit to offering.
Bicycling
is the second most popular outdoor activity in the U.S., and an increasing
number of people are seeking out new places to ride, whether for an afternoon
or a week-long vacation. Bike tourists need food and places to stay, and
they spend money on gas and souvenirs. Bike friendly programs in other
states and Canada have shown that both businesses and cyclists benefit
from a greater awareness of the unique needs of biking customers.
Bike
Friendly New York and other efforts to encourage outdoor tourism were
buoyed by Governor Cuomo’s recent announcement of funding to build the
Empire State Trail, a 750-mile mega trail slated for completion in 2020.
The Empire State Trail will be the longest multi-use trail in the nation,
and a major draw for cyclists and others to visit New York.
“Canalside
businesses play an important role in conveying the heritage and history
of the Canal. With the Canalway Trail system now an internationally recognized
outdoor recreation destination, programs such as Bike Friendly New York
will help them better meet the needs of new and returning visitors,” said
Brian Stratton, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation.
“We’ve
always counted businesses along the Canalway Trail as important partners
in our efforts to attract visitors and to get more New Yorkers out on the
trail. Bike Friendly New York sets a new standard for what it means to
be ‘bike friendly’ and recognizes those businesses that cater to the growing
cycling market,” said PTNY Executive Director Robin Dropkin.
NYS
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose
Harvey said, “New York State offers an exceptional landscape for bicycling
adventures of all kinds. I am grateful to Parks & Trails NY and the
NYS Canal Corporation for this smart plan to encourage cycling-based economic
development here in New York.”
While
BFNY is open to a wide variety of businesses, providers of lodging have
been especially receptive to the program. These include small B & B’s,
such as Schenectady’s Stockade Inn where the program is being launched,
as well as national hotel chains located near the Canalway Trail.
“The
Stockade Inn is located right on the bike trail and we have always been
welcoming to cyclists, including providing interior storage for our overnight
guests, so becoming one of the first Bike Friendly New York certified businesses
in Schenectady County was a no brainer,” said Jeff McDonald, owner of the
Stockade Inn and President of the Schenectady County Convention and Visitors
Bureau. “Schenectady County has continually invested in our bike trails,
including the soon to be opened 1.5 mile Alco Heritage Trail along the
new Mohawk Harbor, and our goal is to be known as a great bike-friendly
tourist destination.”
“We
are absolutely delighted to be certified through Bike Friendly New York.
Our close proximity to the Erie Canalway trail makes the Hilton Garden
Inn the perfect spot for cyclists to refresh and relax during their travels,”
said Jessica Conley, Sales Director for the Hilton Garden Inn Rochester/Pittsford.
“We continue to see an increase in cyclists along the trail and this program
will allow us to make their stay more comfortable and convenient.”
Businesses
that meet the requirements and complete the online application will receive
a decal to display at their business, and will be included in various publications
and web listings. More information, including an up-to-date list of certified
businesses, program materials, and the online application, can be found
at www.PTNY.org/bikefriendly.
Initial
Bike Friendly New York certified businesses along the Canalway Trail include
the following:
Lodging:
-
Adams
Basin Inn B & B, Adams Basin
-
Canal
Side Inn , Little Falls
-
Clematis
Inn, Fairport
-
Ellwanger
Estate B & B, Rochester
-
Hampton
Inn & Suites - Rochester/Victor, Victor
-
Hilton
Garden Inn Rochester-Pittsford, Pittsford
-
Holiday
Inn Express Albany Downtown, Albany
-
Liberty
House B & B, Palmyra
-
Oak and
Ivy B&B, Rome
-
Parker
Inn and Suites, Schenectady
-
Peppermint
Cottage B & B, Lyons
-
The Pineapple
House B & B, Canajoharie
-
The Stockade
Inn, Schenectady
-
Through
the Grapevine B & B, Waterloo
-
Twenty
Woodlawn B & B, Fairport
-
Vintage
Gardens B & B, Newark
-
Green
Lakes State Park (Campground), Fayetteville
-
Oak Orchard
Marina & Campground, Savannah
-
Verona
Beach State Park (Campground), Verona Beach
Food
& Drink Service:
-
Carriage
Creek of North Manlius, Kirkville
-
Muddy
Waters Café, Palmyra
-
The Galley
Restaurant, Spencerport
Other
Businesses:
-
Carpenter
& Hughes, Fayetteville
-
Goldy’s
Goodies, Palmyra
-
Historic
Palmyra, Palmyra
-
Mackenzie’s,
Palmyra
-
Oneida
Commons Vendor Mall, Oneida
-
Schoharie
Crossing State Historic Site, Fort Hunter
-
The Palmyra
Canal Shop/Towpath Antique Center, Palmyra
-
Village
Bookmarket, Palmyra
About
Parks & Trails New York
Parks
& Trails New York (PTNY) is the State’s leading advocate for parks
and trails, dedicated since 1985 to improving New Yorkers’ health, economy,
and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of green space. PTNY
has been the leading advocate for completing the Erie Canalway Trail, as
promoting the trail as a community resource and tourism destination. More
information at www.PTNY.org and www.CycleTheErieCanal.com.
About
the New York State Canal Corporation
The
New York State Canal Corporation operates, maintains and promotes the 524-mile
New York State Canal System, comprised of the Erie, Champlain, Cayuga-Seneca,
and Oswego Canals. A recreationway and resurgent commercial waterway, the
iconic Canal System has been enlarged twice and has been in continuous
operation for 190 years. Today, though still used for commercial transportation,
New York’s Canals are primarily seen as a world-class destination for tourism
and recreation, and the Canal System remains vital to many communities,
businesses, industries and farming operations for its abundant, reliable
and inexpensive supply of water. The Canal Corporation also oversees the
development and promotion of the statewide Canalway Trail System and has
directed the construction of more than 200 miles of Canalway Trail since
1995. More information at Canals.NY.gov.
Contacts:
James
Meerdink
Project
Director
Parks
& Trails New York
608-217-9202
Robin
Dropkin
Executive
Director
Parks
& Trails New York
518-434-1583 |