TOURISM businesses in Cornwall are being encouraged to capture the cycle tourer market.

Cycling UK has developed the Cycle Friendly Places accreditation scheme to enable hospitality and accommodation providers to access resources and knowledge to make their businesses attractive to those looking to combine cycling and holidays.

The charity will also provide a free bike bundle valued at £175, which will give businesses which sign up everything they need to make a cyclist welcome.

Jonathan Sparks of Cycling UK said:

“With self-contained holiday businesses able to re-open from Monday, 12 April and with hotels and B&B’s set to follow suit from 17 May, there is pent-up demand for people to be able to get out and explore the wonderful cycling that regions like Cornwall have to offer.

“Cycling UK wants to help make sure businesses are ready and provide the sort of service which will keep people visiting long after foreign travel is back on the cards.”

Cycling UK says that around 1.23m overnight cycle trips are taken per year in the UK, with an average spend of £360 per trip, a high proportion of which is spent on accommodation and food stops along the route.

With the impact of coronavirus and uncertainty over foreign travel, many people are expected to staycation this year or may delay booking holiday times until after receiving a coronavirus vaccine later this year. Cycle touring is a year-round activity and can be a great way to extend traditional holiday periods to boost tourism in early spring and late autumn.

Whether it’s providing hire bikes and storage for customer’s own bikes, recommending nearby routes or access to basic maintenance kit, the charity says there are plenty of factors which can help businesses stand out from the crowd when it comes to welcoming cyclists.

Cycling UK points out that often businesses don’t have to go the extra mile, with many of those little extras which will make a difference to someone who has just spent a long day in the saddle already being provided, just not advertised.

Through the free Cycle Friendly Places toolkit, businesses are advised on how to cater for the cycling tourist and how they can secure accreditation which in turn will help them stand out from their competitors.

The Cycle Friendly Places is a launching in Cornwall, Kent and Norfolk and offers free of charge accreditation. The project is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund via the EXPERIENCE project.

Among the benefits accredited business will receive are:

· A free equipment bundle* valued at £175, including toolbox, pump, a lock and a First Aid kit.

· Training in digital marketing, cycle maintenance and route knowledge

· Promotion through Cycling UK’s Cyclists Welcome directory of places to stay and eat

Miranda Palmer who offers two bed Airbnb accommodation in rural Kent is among those who have already applied for Cycle Friendly Places accreditation.

She said: “We are situated in rural Kent surrounded by fantastic countryside and amazing cycle routes. As keen cyclists ourselves we are passionate about offering our guests a comfortable rural retreat while at the same providing facilities to safely store guests’ bikes and offer the necessary toolkits and pumps. We can also provide advice on cycle routes, ranging from short to longer distances, the best cycle cafe stops, bike shops and an array of local attractions to visit.”

To find out more about Cycle Friendly Places and to apply for free accreditation visit www.cyclinguk.org/cyclefriendlyplaces