Cycling promotion paying off in Penticton

PENTICTON – Penticton is starting to see benefits from being promoted as a cycling destination, says Tourism Penticton.

Tourism Penticton Executive Director Kelly Hopkins says last fall’s "Go Media" conference has resulted in a surge of media writers visiting the city this summer from across Canada and Europe, who are writing about the city’s cycling possibilities.

“We are becoming better known as a place for cycling. Last spring’s “Chain of Events” promotion highlighted early cycling in the area and events that compliment cycling in Penticton, Naramata and Summerland, and we have a campaign out now aimed at markets in Spokane, Seattle and Vancouver to attract fall cyclists,” Hopkins says.

Tourists are trending towards being more adventurous, Hopkins says, noting the visitor’s centre's requests for information regarding adventure recreation was up 200 per cent this year over last year.

Cycling requests were up 38 per cent, with tourists making more inquiries regarding off-road biking.

“With the improvements to the Three Blind Mice” trails, the area is getting known as a place to come not only for entry level cycling, but for higher levels of biking as well,” Hopkins says, a sentiment echoed by Freedom Bike Shop manager Kurt Flaman.

I’ve noticed a bit of a spike in tourism this year, especially off-road biking,” Flaman says.

“Three Blind Mice is now a sanctioned recreation site, with an active club and well maintained trails that now outstrip anything Whistler, Kamloops and Nelson have to offer,” he says.

“If you build it, they will come,” he adds.

Flaman also gives high praise to Penticton City Council for embracing the idea of making Penticton a cycling destination.

“The city has been really receptive to doing things these days, where previous councils have been, frankly, hostile towards cycling advocacy,” Flaman says, noting council has been working with stakeholders and other biking enthusiasts to improve the trail system so cyclists can stay off busy roads and highways.

“We get a lot of complaints from people who want to ride the KVR, but can’t because it’s not a consistent, congruent route,” he says, blaming previous councils for selling off portions of the right of way and forcing portions of the trail onto roads.

“Those trail incongruencies need to be taken care of so cyclists don’t have to take roads,” Flaman says.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

Steve Arstad's Stories

More Articles