Explore the Scenic City in style on a brand new bicycle rented from the Owen Sound Visitor Centre!
The City began offering bike rentals this summer as part of a broader initiative to encourage cycling in the area and offer visitors a convenient way to travel around town. The bikes are available from the Visitor Centre on the west harbour for $30/day or $18/half day, with a credit card deposit.
Helmets, water bottles and locks are included. Four adult bikes are available – two men's and two ladies' styles. There is also a chariot-style, detachable carrier for toddlers that can double as a stroller. The bikes do not have gears, and are most suitable for the relatively flat roads and trails in the City centre along the Sydenham River, from the harbour to Harrison Park.
"There are so many bike-friendly spots in Owen Sound to explore, including museums and galleries, art banners along the harbour, Kelso Beach Park, Harrison Park, the Mill Dam and Fish Ladder and our downtown shops and restaurants," said Mayor Ian Boddy.
The Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library offers a free bike repair station and the number of paved City trails is growing, with recent improvements to trails in Harrison Park and along the east harbour near the water filtration plant.
Free "Share the Road" car magnets are available at the Visitor Centre, City Hall, the library and the Owen Sound police station. They remind both motorists and cyclists to keep a safe 1-metre distance from each other and respect each other's rights to use public roads.
Regional cycling maps are also available at the Visitor Centre.
Owen Sound recently joined the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, featuring some of the best shoreline cycling in the country. The trail has expanded to include the Bruce Peninsula and Southern Georgian Bay, passing through Owen Sound and linking with the Tom Thomson Trail before continuing east to Collingwood, the Blue Mountains, Midland and other communities. Look for Great Lakes Waterfront Trail signage and maps in Owen Sound very soon!