Cycle Ontario and Quebec Corridor

“Connecting Ottawa, Montreal, and Cornwall through scenic cycling routes that celebrate cultural heritage and natural beauty.”

The Cycle Ontario and Quebec corridor offers a vibrant four-season experience that connects existing and new cycling routes between Ottawa, Prescott-Russell, Montreal, and Cornwall. This corridor aims to elevate and enrich the cycling experience by integrating diverse elements such as wineries, breweries, artisans, culinary experiences, Indigenous products, and agritourism.

• Alignment with Federal Tourism Growth Strategy (FTGS): The corridor directly supports the development of trails and outdoor experiences, which are priority areas in the FTGS.
• Promotion of Slow Tourism: The cycling routes encourage visitors to explore the region at a leisurely pace, fostering deeper connections with local communities and environments.
• Strategic Gateway Access: The corridor leverages major transportation hubs in Ottawa and Montreal, facilitating easy access for domestic and international visitors.
• Four-Season Appeal: By incorporating winter fat biking and other year-round activities, the corridor supports efforts to extend the tourism season.
• Sustainable Tourism Development: Cycling as a low-impact form of transportation supports Canada's commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly tourism practices.

• Cycling along UNESCO World Heritage Sites and historic waterways
• Exploring vibrant urban centers and their cultural offerings
• Traversing scenic countryside routes with varied terrain and difficulty levels
• Enjoying local wineries, breweries, and culinary experiences
• Engaging with Indigenous cultures and traditions
• Participating in year-round cycling activities, including winter fat biking
• Discovering local artisanal crafts and products
• Experiencing rural agritourism and farm-to-table dining

• Regional Tourism Organization 9 (RTO9) South Eastern Ontario
• Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail
• Vélo Québec (VQ)
• Local businesses along the corridor
• Indigenous communities, particularly on Cornwall Island
• Municipalities of Ottawa, Montreal, Cornwall, and Prescott-Russell

Planning partners are developing the strategy, which aims for completion by December 2025.

Find the latest updates here.

“Bicycle touring is one of the things that makes the Montérégie region what it is. Backed by an agreement with local and provincial stakeholders to encourage the development of multi-use trails, we are committed to making a well-built and well-connected bicycle network a core part of our regional priorities. We are proud to contribute to this forward-looking initiative, which will undoubtedly strengthen our ties with neighbouring communities, attract a steady flow of tourists from Ontario and support a sustainable and active form of travel.”
– Mario Leblanc, General Manager, Tourisme Montérégie

“The new Cycle Ontario and Quebec corridor will inspire residents and visitors to discover the beauty of eastern Ontario communities.”
– Stan Cho, Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming

“We understand the importance of increasing experiential product for the region and the ripple effect this strategy will have on increasing tourism in South Eastern Ontario.”
– Bonnie Ruddock, Executive Director, RTO 9

“I would like to warmly congratulate the Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail for being recognized as a must-visit cycling destination in the Cycle Ontario and Quebec corridor... The Recreational Trail is not only an asset for cycling enthusiasts but also a source of pride for the entire community.”
– Mario Zanth, Mayor - City of Clarence-Rockland

"The development of a cross-provincial cycling corridor… will boost local economies, enhance visitor experiences, and strengthen our collaboration with regional tourism partners."
– Karina Belanger, Acting Manager of Economic Development, United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry

"Cornwall has seen significant growth over the past few years and this would surely continue to push us in the right direction. We look forward to seeing this strategy implemented and are proud to see Cornwall included!"
– Cris Urroz, Board of Directors, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce

Cycling tourism in Quebec alone produces $700 million annually in tourist spending and supports over 7,000 jobs related to cycling tourism. The Cycle Ontario and Quebec corridor presents significant potential for tourism growth, including:

• Infrastructure development for cycling paths and amenities
• Partnerships with local businesses for cyclist-friendly services
• Development of cyclist-friendly accommodations and rest areas
• Creation of technology-enhanced cycling experiences (e.g., app-guided tours)
• Investment in sustainable transportation options for cyclists
   

The global cycling market is projected to reach $241.27 billion USD by 2030, up from $127.82 billion USD in 2023. In Canada, approximately 2.5 million adults (8% of the population) have gone on cycling vacations in the past two years.

Potential opportunities in this corridor align with global trends:

• Development of diverse cycling routes catering to different skill levels and preferences.
• Creation of cycling-themed accommodations and amenities along routes.
• Investment in technology for route planning, navigation, and visitor experience enhancement.
• Development of year-round cycling experiences, including winter fat biking.
• Expansion of bike rental and repair services to support the growing market.

Current Investment in the Corridor

Ongoing initiatives include:

• Enhancement of existing cycling infrastructure between major cities.
• Development of new routes connecting urban and rural experiences.
• Integration of cycling experiences with local culinary and cultural offerings.
   

For detailed information on investment prospects in this corridor, please contact:

Jennifer Horsnell
Senior Director, Destination Development
Destination Canada
horsnell.jennifer@destinationcanada.com

1. Visit the Knowledge Hub for case studies and more.
2. Find the latest updates
3. Visit TourismScapes for information on this Corridor

To learn more about how you can be involved in the Corridor, including partnerships and investor opportunities, community engagement initiatives, and volunteer opportunities, please contact us.

To contact the Corridor team directly:

Erica D'Souza
Senior Director, Destination Development
Destination Canada
dsouza.erica@destinationcanada.com

Bonnie Ruddock
Executive Director, RTO 9
bruddock@region9tourism.ca
613-329-2753

Eric Collard
Executive Director, Sentier récréatif Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail
info@sentierviatrail.com

Nathalie Lauzon
Vice-présidente opérations, Vélo Québec Voyages / Événements
nlauzon@velo.q
514-521-8356, poste 366 or 1-800-567-8356