'Biker Tourism' scheme rejected

A new bid for funding of over 660,000 Euro may be made between January and March next year after backing for the initiative was rejected this year under the Inter-Reg programme.

Supporters of the bid hope the ‘Biker Tourism’ will help bring thousands more visitors into the motorbike heartland of north Antrim and visit places like the Armoy Road Races and memorials to the Armoy Armada and the Dunlop brothers, Joey and Robert.

The Vice-Chairperson of Moyle District Council, Cllr Madeline Black (SDLP), said she was “really disappointed” the ‘Biker Tourism’ plans were rejected this year as biking has “become really really popular”.

Moyle Council officer Esther Mulholland said the disappointment is “universal” and she said the rejection was “absolutely awful”.

A document entitled - ‘Biker Tourism - attracting motorcyclists to Northern Ireland’ provides guidance for small businesses that are interested in increasing their trade by targeting tourists travelling by motorbike.

Northern Ireland already has a long tradition of attracting bikers with key events and attractions such as the North West 200 and the Joey and Robert Dunlop Memorials it says.

The document said a pilot project is investigating whether there are opportunities to attract more bikers throughout the year and into the more rural areas.

It was estimated that If just 1% of the biker market from the UK and Ireland could be attracted to the target region it would equate to 78,271 overnight stays.

And it was said it would make sense to target those regions which have a high volume of motorcycles and which are reasonably accessible i.e. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Greece.

The report said it is hard to estimate the potential volume from these markets; they represent 23 million motorcycle riders and it was said if it was assumed that only 42% would be suitable bikes and that the average trip length would be five nights, attracting 0.1% of the market from these countries alone would result in attracting 1% of the domestic market and 0.1% of the market from the overseas countries mentioned above would result in an additional tourism spend of 4,703,329.

A website says useful tips for accommodation providers wanting to attract bike fans says:

‘* Display a positive attitude towards bikers and a genuine desire to meet and anticipate their needs.

‘* A separate space should be available for drying outdoor clothing and footwear at an ambient temperature so clothes can dry overnight.’* You should have a supply of recommended tours including Viewpoints, Visitor Attractions etc available for reference.

‘* Visor cleaning/boot-cleaning facilities, this would mean keeping visor spray and soft cloths, black boot polish and brushes etc. Degrease handwash should be available to guests.

‘* Wash down facilities for motorbikes should be available for guests’ use.

‘* Details of local garages and shops specialising in motorbikes. Information on location and opening times of local petrol stations and

opening hours.

‘* Motorbike books and magazines, consider motorbikers’ logbook for guests to record day trips.

‘* You should provide safe storage for motorbikes. Hard standing for motorbikes.

‘* Daily and weekly Met Office information (or similar) should be available as well as travel and road information.

‘* Display Safe Biking information where readily available.’

On a website - bikeroadtrip.com - there are a few suggested routes for bike fans.

One 80 mile route takes in the North Coast and the ‘picturesque country roads of County Antrim, birthplace and playground of Joey Dunlop and home to the North West 200. You can start this tour anywhere, but be sure to stop at the Joey Dunlop Memorial in Ballymoney.’

The website also suggests bikers should visit Joey’s Bar in Ballymoney.

Reference is also made to visiting Armoy with the website saying: ‘This run now goes around the nearby 1600 ft Knocklayd mountain to Armoy – base of the Armoy Armada (www.irishroadracing.co.uk/joey) the group of fast road racers who left their mark on biking history; Joey Dunlop, Jim Dunlop, Mervyn Robinson and Frank Kennedy. Situated in the Riverside Garden at The Pound in Armoy, there is now a sculpture, made out of Kilkenny limestone depicting the motorbike made famous by Mervyn Robinson with his trademark black cat.

‘The road goes through Glenshesk, one of the Glens of Antrim. You might want to take it a few times, to get to know the road and to enjoy the scenery. From Armoy, head north towards Ballycastle and look for the A2 to return along the coast to PortBallintrae, Portrush and Portstewart. You are now back in the heart of North West 200 country,’ says the website.

The website also suggests visiting Joey’s grave at Garryduff Church.