Early registration discount through April 30

FREE CONTINUING EDUCATION LEARNING CREDITS AVAILABLE

Bicycle Tourism Blueprint: A Community-Led Approach to Attracting Cyclists, Boosting Businesses, and Creating a Bicycle-Friendly Destination

Four 90-minute VIDEO CONFERENCE SESSIONS

Thursdays, June 5-26, 2025 • 9-10:30 PT/12-1:30 ET

 

Bicycle tourism is more than just an economic boost—it’s an opportunity to create lively, welcoming communities where people love to live, work, and visit. Whether it’s long-distance touring cyclists, mountain bikers, or casual riders exploring scenic backroads, communities that embrace bicycle tourism see increased business, stronger local economies, and a renewed sense of place.

This course is all about action—helping you tap into your community’s natural assets, spark creativity, engage local businesses, and create a place where cyclists want to stop, stay, and explore. From historic downtowns to rail trails, rural roads to mountain bike parks, every community has unique features that can be enhanced to attract and support cyclists.

Through hands-on exercises, success stories, and expert insights, you’ll discover what works, where to start, and how to turn small steps into big wins.

🚴‍♂️ What You’ll Learn in 4 Sessions:

Session 1: Discovering Bicycle Tourism Opportunities in Your Community

  • The different types of bicycle tourists and what they look for

  • How bicycle tourism fuels local economies and strengthens small businesses

  • Finding your community’s unique assets and creating memorable cycling experiences

  • Identifying what makes your town a great place for cyclists

Session 2: Creating a Bicycle-Friendly Destination

  • How to welcome and engage cyclists through local businesses, lodging, and services

  • Simple ways to make your town bike-friendly—no big budget required!

  • Strategies for getting businesses, residents, and local leaders excited and involved

  • Mapping out business partnerships and opportunities

Session 3: Routes, Trails & Infrastructure—Making It Easy to Ride

  • Mapping the best routes, trails, and riding experiences for different types of cyclists

  • How to connect local businesses, attractions, and services to cycling routes

  • Making the most of existing roads, trails, and community spaces to attract riders

  • Route planning for bicycle tourism

Session 4: Spreading the Word—Marketing, Events & Long-Term Success

  • Getting your town on the map—Ride with GPS, Strava, social media & cycling networks

  • Planning bike-friendly events, tours, and festivals to bring in visitors

  • How to expand bicycle tourism year-round and sustain momentum over time

  • Turning your ideas into reality — marketing & action planning for your community

     

🚴‍♂️ Why Join This Course?

  • Think beyond trails and infrastructure—tap into the local charm, stories, and businesses that make your town special

  • Learn from real-world success stories—towns and small communities that have thrived with bicycle tourism

  • Get practical, doable ideas—start small and build momentum with quick wins

  • Leave with a plan—concrete next steps to turn inspiration into action

No matter where your community is in its bicycle tourism journey, this course will help you take the next step—whether that’s attracting your first wave of riders or expanding an already growing cycling culture.

Join us for inspiring ideas, hands-on strategies, and the tools to make bicycle tourism work for your community.

Who is this for?

  • Economic development professionals & tourism agencies

  • Local government officials & planners

  • Chamber of Commerce & business alliances

  • Parks, trails, and recreation managers

  • Trail advocacy & bicycle organizations

  • Main Street & downtown development groups

  • Business owners & hospitality providers

  • Rural community leaders interested in outdoor recreation development

  

Course Instructor

Michele Archie is a principal of The Harbinger Consultancy. Her integrated approach to outdoor recreation community and economic development is built on 30 years of experience with community engagement and economic development, community-led tourism initiatives and destination stewardship in rural and outdoor recreation communities. See Michele on LinkedIn, and learn more right here at HarbingerConsult.com. 

 

Session Dates and Times

Four live 90-minute weekly video conference sessions • Thursdays, June 5-26, 2025 • 9-10:30 PT/12-1:30 ET

  

Fees & Details

  • Every class will be presented live and available for replay in case you need to miss a session or want to review.

  • $525 regular course fee/$425 early registration discount through April 30, 2025.

  • Group rates for two or more participants from the same organization or community — $425 per person regular group rate/$375 early registration discount.

  • Organizational and other special discount codes offer a discount in addition to early registration and group rates.

Free continuing education Learning Credits

Through a partnership with American Trails, Harbinger is offering free learning credits for this and selected other courses. Credits are available by request, at no charge beyond the course registration fee, contingent on completing the entire course and a brief post-course quiz. American Trails is a certified provider, and you may request credits for:

  • American Institute of Certified Planners Continuing Maintenance (AICP CM)

  • Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LA CES PDH)

  • CEU/PDH equivalency petition for other accepting organizations

This course provides 6.00 CM | 6.00 LA CES HSW | 0.60 CEU/6.00 PDH Equivalency Petition