The Ministry of Tourism has released a report showing a National Cycleway could double cycle tourism revenue from $320 million to $640 million per year.
Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) spokesperson Stephen McKernon says unless we address traffic issues New Zealand's potential cycle tourism growth won't be realised.
The report highlights a major barrier to the success of the National Cycleway is the speed and volume of New Zealand traffic, and with this, motorist attitudes and behaviours around cyclists.
"International and domestic cycle tourists both fear New Zealand's poor reputation for cyclist road safety," says McKernon.
McKernon says "the report considers the $640 million a conservative figure for revenues from the National Cycleway. This shows how much potential there is for economic growth through cycling. Kiwi cycle tourists have nearly doubled in the past five years, and international cycle tourist numbers could also increase rapidly if the National Cycleway is developed and marketed carefully. The $50 million price tag is a small price to pay for a huge, ongoing gain."
McKernon comments, "it's pretty simple. Either we improve motorist attitudes and behaviours, or we miss major opportunities to enjoy New Zealand by cycle and to capture the ongoing economic benefits."