Building bicycle tourism

“Investing in bicycle tourism has the potential to be a major win-win for both visitors and our local community. …(It) enhances our destination and home by facilitating a sustainable form of tourism that contributes to better community health and related savings, less congestion, environmental health, and—by many accounts—happier people.”

This Saturday—Dec. 2—over 150 cyclists from Asia, Europe, and the region will take to Saipan roads in a race that has been hailed as one the toughest of the Pacific—the Hell of The Marianas. Competitors, both pros and amateurs, are arriving from South Korea, Japan, Russia, the United States, and Guam to ride side-by-side with our homegrown Marianas cyclists through the roads of Saipan.

Participants must navigate 4,900 feet of ascents, including steep climbs and fast descents, making it a true test of endurance and skill. Beginning at 6:15am at the former Mariana Resort & Spa, cyclists will travel south on Beach Road to Koblerville, proceed to Kagman, Capitol Hill, and Talofofo, and then down Capitol Hill to As Matuis and Marpi, finishing in the early afternoon. The event is organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority and Northern Mariana Islands Cycling Federation.

Sports tourism has been one of the niche markets of The Marianas for decades. Our year-round tropical weather and natural beauty are perfect for attracting all types of sportspeople. Registration is gaining momentum as the MVA prepares to inaugurate the first ever Rota Marathon on Jan. 13 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend) with a full, half, and 5K courses. And registration is also racking up for Saipan Marathon 2024 on March 9. Of course, divers, golfers, and other sports enthusiasts arrive year-round.

This weekend’s Hell of The Marianas gives us an opportunity to consider the potential—and need—for bicycle tourism in our destination. What is bicycle tourism, you ask? The Path Less Pedaled defines it as “any travel related activity for the purpose of pleasure which incorporates a bicycle.” Cycling events like Hell of The Marianas qualify, as well as riding around a particular destination or attraction, like the rides being offered in Marpi. This could be expanded to include day rides and urban cycling such as bike shares that would allow visitors to get from one village to the next or even take a bike tour of our Garapan Heritage Trail. Another good example of bicycle tourism are the cyclists who travel to Tinian for the annual Pika Bike Race and spend the rest of their time leisurely biking around the rest of the island, spending money at restaurants, hotels, stores, and other establishments.

Investing in bicycle tourism has the potential to be a major win-win for both visitors and our local community. The construction of bike lanes on our new roads—including the newly opened Route 36 in the scenic northeast of Saipan and the anticipated bike lanes on the new Beach Road and Garapan Revitalization Project under construction—enhances our destination and home by facilitating a sustainable form of tourism that contributes to better community health and related savings, less congestion, environmental health, and—by many accounts—happier people.

Bike lanes and bike paths, bike parking, and bike shares are the path to growing bicycle tourism. Some cities have even reduced speed limits for the safety of motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. And, of course, more education for both drivers and cyclists is required. For motorists, that means staying at least three feet away from cyclists and sharing the road. For cyclists, that includes abiding by all traffic signs and lights, notifying your presence when approaching or passing people, walking your bike on non-bicycle paths, and others.

With a few key investments—monetary and otherwise—we can build a bicycle-friendly community: more bicycle network mileage, more bike facilities, bicycle education in schools, a share of transportation budget spent on bicycling, bicycle-friendly laws and ordinances, and more.

Saturday’s Hell of The Marianas is an opportunity to demonstrate to our visitors that Saipan is a safe and enjoyable place to cycle. If you’re driving on the race route, please do so safely. Owners, please ensure your dogs are leashed to prevent accidents. And we invite the entire community to cheer for racers when they pass your house or business. You can find the full race map at www.mymarianas.com/the-marianas-calendar.

We look forward to continuing to grow Hell of The Marianas in the coming years, and we envision more opportunities to grow bicycle tourism throughout the islands, as well.

‘This weekend’s Hell of The Marianas gives us an opportunity to consider the potential—and need—for bicycle tourism in our destination.”

Christopher A. Concepcion is the managing director of the Marianas Visitors Authority.