Bike train rolls in to the Bay today

ONR News Release

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The award-winning Bike Train will be heading to North Bay for an inaugural pilot weekend August 7-10, making cycling holidays in North Bay easy and accessible.

The Bike Train will take passengers from downtown Toronto to North Bay on Friday, August 7, 2009. Passengers will travel on Ontario Northland’s Northlander rail service, winding through the scenic back country of Muskoka and the Algonquin Highlands.

Along the journey to North Bay, passengers can win great prizes via an onboard trivia twitter competition. The Bike Train Twitter account will be awash with tips from passengers and locals alike on great cycling routes, refreshing swimming spots, fun attractions, and delicious dinner locales.

Upon arrival in North Bay, a welcome event will take place at 2:30 p.m. followed by a media event at 3 p.m. Guests attending include the Honourable Monique Smith, Minister of Tourism and MPP for Nipissing, Mayor Vic Fedeli, other local dignitaries.

“I am delighted that with the help of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Bike Train is making its way to North Bay,” said Nipissing MPP Monique Smith. “I hope this is the first of many visits from the Bike Train to North Bay.”

“North Bay is pleased to be part of the Bike Train Program. When the cyclists arrive, they will see what a beautiful city North Bay is, and experience our world–class cycling trails. We hope this encourages other tourists as well as our own residents to experience North Bay on wheels!” said Mayor Vic Fedeli.

“I am proud of our new and exciting excursion train, the Bike Train! Biking enthusiasts will have the weekend to explore North Bay and the surrounding area on their bikes,” remarked Cheryl Sutton, Ontario Northland’s Vice President of Passenger Services. “The Bike Train is an initiative that promotes cycle tourism in Ontario; it encourages low impact tourism and healthy lifestyles. This service combines two sustainable modes of transportation, bikes and trains, allowing passengers to reduce their carbon footprint, and have fun too!”

The Bike Train was originally developed by Toronto cyclist, Justin Lafontaine, and launched in partnership with VIA Rail between Toronto and Niagara in 2007. The Bike Train has proven to be a fun, economically and environmentally-friendly way to enjoy a cycling getaway. Passengers travel in comfort in the passenger car while their bicycles are safely secured in a baggage car outfitted with bike racks.

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