BICYCLING – A program on the benefits of bicycling to rural tourism will be presented at 7 p.m. tonight July 7 At Banyons on the Ridge (golf course) in Pullman.

Russ Roca and Laura Crawford of the Path Less Pedaled, world cyclo-tourists and consultants for Travel Oregon to market and promote the state’s bicycle tourism assets, will present the program, sponsored in part by the Pullman Chamber of Commerce.

“Path Less Pedaled works with communities and tourism agencies to help develop and market cycling destinations,” said Rich Wesson of Pullman Civic Trust. 

Roca and Crawford are on their way to Missoula to be featured speakers for the Montana Bicycle Celebration sponsored by the Adventure Cycling Association.

The Inland Northwest already has success stories that form a basis for growth in bicycle tourism, h= Wesson said. For example:

• The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes generated $14 million in spending on lodging, fuel, food, equipment and incidental purchase by trail users, the trails friends group reported in 2015.
• The Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway trail generates $900,000 in tax revenues a year and contributes $21 million to the economies of Troutdale, Cascade Locks, The Dalles and Hood River, according to a 2014 report.

Pullman-area groups are looking into the possibility of transforming into a trail a 19-mile state-owned railway that's planned for abandonment between Pullman and Colfax.

Info:  Rich Wesson, (509) 334-3565.

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