Travel Oregon Encourages Oregonians and Visitors to Participate in Bike Your Park Day

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of the inaugural Bike Your Park Day, Travel Oregon and Adventure Cycling Association are encouraging Oregonians and visitors to get out and enjoy the state's exceptional bicycling and parks infrastructure. Bike Your Park Day takes place on Saturday, Sept. 24, coinciding with National Public Lands Day, which is a free entrance day in some parks.  

Bike Your Park day is a great reason for people to discover new parks or experience their favorite parks in a new way. Adventure Cycling Association and Travel Oregon invite people to visit any type of public lands, whether it's a national or state park, monument or historic site, river, coast, recreation area, preserve, forest or parkway. Riders are encouraged to register their ride for a chance to win an Adventure Cycling 40th Anniversary Salsa Marrakesh touring bicycle, compliments of Adventure Cycling Association.  

"Cyclists have long been drawn to Oregon's outstanding park systems, our diverse geography and breathtaking scenery," said Travel Oregon CEO, Todd Davidson. "It's no surprise that each year bicycle-related tourism in our state contributes about $400 million to the state's $10.8 billion tourism economy. We all know that riding your bike is good for you, and studies have shown that travel is also good for one's well-being. So we are encouraging visitors and Oregonians to get out there and improve their health while enhancing the state's economy." 

Also taking place on Sept. 17 and Sept. 24 is Ride the Rim, an annual opportunity to circumnavigate the rim surrounding the Crater Lake volcano on roads open only to bicyclists, hikers and/or runners. The opportunity to experience Crater Lake National Park in this car-free way takes place every third and fourth Saturday in September. This challenging but incredibly scenic ride is free, although registration is required. This year also marks the National Park Service's centennial celebration, making this the perfect time to get out and enjoy Oregon's stunning parks from the seat of your bike.  

"When we first worked with Senator Ron Wyden in 2010 to develop the concept of a 'motor vehicle free' opportunity, we knew that there was an unmet visitor need for these type activities," Said Craig Ackerman, Crater Lake National Park's Superintendent. "However, we weren't prepared for the overwhelming response after the first two years. The exploding popularity of the vehicle-free days demonstrates the desire of many of our visitors for opportunities to experience the park in a quiet and sustainable manner. Crater Lake National Park and the State of Oregon have become recognized around the country as leaders in providing great venues in which bikers and hikers may enjoy the scenery and wonders of nature in a more safe and serene environment."

Oregon is considered among the top innovators in bicycle tourism in the U.S. In 2010, collaboration between Travel Oregon, Cycle Oregon, and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department produced the nation's first Scenic Bikeways program, which, just six years later, boasts 15 routes totaling more than 1,200 miles of 'best of the best' bicycling rides around the state. Bicyclists who ride the state's Scenic Bikeways miles of 'best of the best' bicycling rides around the state. Bicyclists who ride the state's Scenic Bikeways generate more than $12 million for Oregon's economy. Additionally, in 2014 Travel Oregon developed the Oregon Bike Friendly Business program geared to travelers. The program provides local businesses with tips and tools on how to be bike-friendly and cater to the growing contingent of cyclist tourists – from in and out of state. 

The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, works to enhance visitors' experience by providing information, resources and trip planning tools that inspire travel and consistently convey the exceptional quality of Oregon. The commission aims to improve Oregonians' quality of life by strengthening economic impacts of the state's $10.8 billion tourism industry that employs more than 105,000 Oregonians. www.TravelOregon.com

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SOURCE Travel Oregon

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