Ali Howat, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
World Bike Day was celebrated on June 3, and what better way to celebrate than bringing your own bike to beautiful Jasper?
This summer, Tourism Jasper and Parks Canada are encouraging everyone to “bring your own bike,” or BYOB, to Jasper National Park.
Don’t have your own bike? There are bike shops all around downtown Jasper where you can rent from.
“Did you know that Jasper National Park’s two largest campgrounds are a quick bike ride from town?” asked Erin Steeves, promotions officer with Parks Canada.
“These underused connector trails are a great way to commute by bike from your campsite to town or from the town site to the beaches. It also avoids any parking problems when you reach the lakes. Best part, it’s an activity the whole family can enjoy.”
The campaign wants visitors to experience the park as most locals do, with the fresh mountain air on their backs.
“Jasper is an incredibly underrated mountain biking destination with over 150 kilometres of trails to explore,” said Elissa Cummings, owner of Journey Bike Guides.
“There is riding for every ability level and it is also a great way to get to and from town. Hiking is popular in Jasper, but sometimes the popular hiking trails can get overcrowded. On your bike, you can see twice as much in half the time. If you are in Jasper, go mountain biking, and if you like mountain biking, come to Jasper.”
Visitors are asked to come down to Jasper National Park this summer and take the road less travelled to explore towering mountains, crystalline lakes and abundant wildlife.
“They can just ride beautiful trails to beautiful places here in Jasper,” added Randell Riddell, owner of the Bench Bike Shop.
