The City of Owen Sound and Grey County will launch a joint safe cycling awareness campaign this spring, funded by grants from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

The City and County, working in tandem to encourage both cyclists and motorists to "Share the Road," received two $7,500 grants from the ministry's Safe Cycling Education Fund earlier this week.

The safe cycling campaign will include key messages about motorists safely passing cyclists and the importance of cyclists riding "tight and to the right."

Car magnets will also be produced featuring the popular "Share the Road" decal. They will be available at municipal offices, visitor centres, public events, farmers' markets and through the Owen Sound Police and local OPP detachments.

The City and County support cycling and active transportation for visitors and residents, and road safety is a top priority. It's part of a broader Safe Cycling Public Education initiative in BruceGreySimcoe, which attracts more cycling tourists than any other region in Ontario.

Grey County has produced a new cycling map, available at visitor centres throughout the region, and has a cycling safety video on its web site, www.visitgrey.ca.

Cycle tourism will be given another boost this summer with our region joining the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, featuring some of the best shoreline cycling in the country. The trail is expanding 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 this spring!

source: media release, City of Owen Sound